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17 - Appointment of Michael Smith to the Public Works Director positionItem No. 17, Memorandum TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager SUBJECT: Public Works Director Appointment of Michael "MA" Smith City Charter Section 23 DATE: July 13, 2020 BACKGROUND: The Director of Public Works position has been vacant since December 2019. The City Manager has been serving as Interim Director of Public Works. A copy of the Job Description is found below. Given the Director of Public Works must work so closely with the City Engineer as well as the Director of Utilities, the City Manager developed an interview team consisting of these two individuals, the Human Resources Director and himself to review candidates, select for interviews, and interview those selected. Their counsel was most valuable to the City Manager. The City received nine (9) applications, of which five (5) were interviewed. The Public Works Departments consist of the following: Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, Solid Waste Collection, Streets, Parks, Recreation, Traffic, Lighting, Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and Garage. STATUS OF ISSUE: I am pleased to present to you Michael "MA" Smith as my selection for the Director of Public Works. Mr. Smith is currently our CIP Superintendent in the Public Works Department. I am very impressed with this individual, both in his experience as well as his character. He possesses the right combination of potential, experience, attitude, energy, professionalism and civility that I want to see as the leader of the Public Works Departments. His knowledge from years as a private contractor, experience managing and overseeing construction and contractor crews as well as the CIP Department, knowledge of water, wastewater, and other construction, as well as service with the City will be very valuable in leading these departments as well as working closely with the City Engineer and Director of Utilities. Pursuant to the Paris City Charter, Section 23, "Neither the council nor any of its members shall direct the City Manager or any of his subordinates in the appointment or removal of any city employee; provided, however, that the a aoa„ntment o � ,)artment heads shall be subject to the a�,? woval o the „council." Therefore, the job offer to Mr. Smith is contingent upon the approval of the City Council. A copy of his resume is available upon request. BUDGET: The starting salary for this position is $72,072.00. This is a salaried position. OPTIONS: A resolution has been presented to you tonight to appoint the City Manager's selection of Mr. Michael Smith as the Director of Public Works. 1. Approve the resolution as presented. 2. Request edits to the resolution as presented. 3. Request additional information regarding Mr. Smith or the process. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Resolution to appoint Mr. Michael Smith as the Director of Public Works. JOB DESCRIPTION PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR General Statement of Duties High level administrative position responsible for the direction and operation of all aspects of Public Works including the Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, Solid Waste Collection, Streets, Parks, Recreation, Traffic, Lighting, Capital Improvement, and the Garage sub -departments. Works under the direction of the City Manager; however, position requires extensive skills in leadership, management, communications, planning and organizing. Essential Duties and Responsibilities 1. Directs, plans, supervises, oversees, implements and organizes the financial management, operations, work flow and maintenance of the Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, Solid Waste Collection, Streets, Parks, Recreation, Traffic, Lighting, Capital Improvement and the Garage sub -departments. 2. Works with the City Engineer, Utility Director and other City Staff in the planning, designing, cost estimating, and construction management of related capital improvement projects. 3. Collaborates with architects, engineers, contractors and other construction specialist. 4. Holds consultants, engineers, architects, contractors and other related firms accountable to ensure that all projects are in compliance with Local, State and Federal Laws and Agreements. 5. Develops and implements goals, priorities, policies and procedures relating to Public Works. 6. Oversees the proper procurement of all purchases pursuant to applicable City and State laws. 7. Develops realistic and fiscally sound budget requests based on program need and monitors budget expenditures to ensure they remain within budget allocation. 8. Directs ongoing research into new municipal public works technologies and trends and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help Public Works achieve its objectives more efficiently. 9. Develops and maintains an efficient complaint tracking system for Public Works, investigating issues, and responds to citizen concerns. 10. Oversees the preparation of cost and quantity estimates for Public Works projects. 11. Supervises superintendents and monitors Public Works staff performance, ensuring that they are in compliance with City policies, procedures, ordinances and resolutions. 12. Analyzes future personnel staffing needs and develops short and long-term plans to meet those needs. 13. Selects, promotes, motivates, evaluates, trains and disciplines Public Works personnel consistent with applicable laws and the City's Personnel Policies and Procedures. 14. Works with and attends City Council and other Board and Committee Meetings as needed. 15. Advises City Manager and department heads on Public Works issues and solutions to address issues. 16. Coordinates additional and other assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies and provides highly responsible and administrative support to the City Manager, 17. Maintains a regular and predictable work schedule. 18. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications • Education and/or Experience — Graduation from a four-year college with major course work in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management or a related field strongly preferred and at least six (6) years of municipal public works experience or related engineering, construction, or facilities operations, including considerable management and administrative experience. • Computer Skills — Microsoft Internet Explorer and other internet-based search engines; Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word processing software; Microsoft Powerpoint; and Laserfiche document storage and retrieval software. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations • Valid Class "C" Texas driver's license. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Knowledge of public works construction maintenance methods, materials and equipment; • Knowledge of potable water, water storage, and wastewater distribution systems; • Knowledge of street construction; • Ability to read and review plats, surveys, blueprints, design drawings and other construction plans. • Knowledge in construction management, contractor management, and project time management; • Knowledge of contract administration; • Knowledge of administrative practices as it relates to public works; • Ability to plan for municipal needs; • Ability to lead, direct, delegate and distribute personnel; • Knowledge of employment practices, including recruitment, selection, and evaluation of staff; • Ability to direct, coordinate and review the work of operation divisions/sub-departments; • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, citizens, vendors and contractors; • Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate on a daily basis with administrative, elected and appointed officials and the public with courtesy, professionalism, civility and tact; • Knowledge and ability to prepare and interpret complicated reports and standards; • Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and ability to understand and work with State and Federal Regulations, Departments, and Personnel. Physical Demands • Physical ability to lift 10-20 pounds; • Must be able to sit for long periods of time; • Sensory demands typically require speaking, hearing touching and seeing; • Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or other office equipment; • Requires occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching and pushing or pulling drawers to retrieve files; • Must have visual acuity to endure eye strain of working on a computer for extended periods of time; • Must be able to hear; • Mobility required to inspect work of staff; • Physical mobility needed for moving around a worksite for the purpose of monitoring quality of work. Work Environment • Employee works in an office setting but must occasionally go out into the field to respond to complaints or inspect work of staff; • Must interact with upset citizens or on occasion; • Office climate is moderate; however in the field work temperatures can range from extreme hot to extreme cold.