Assistant Director (Public Works)

Job Description:

Assistant Director (Public Works)

Description

THE POSITION

With supervisor approval, incumbents may be eligible for intermittent remote work; however, they must physically reside within the Sacramento region or have the ability to regularly report to a City of Sacramento physical worksite with little notice.

The Assistant Director works directly with the Director of Public Works in critical areas of leadership and management. The role provides oversight of department-wide budget preparation and management, including direct supervision of the Supervising Financial Analyst and Administrative Officer within the Office of the Director. This position develops and implements strategies to improve organizational performance, serves as a key liaison with senior staff across regional boards and partner agencies on matters impacting Public Works, and is responsible for advancing new citywide policies, programs, and process improvements. The Assistant Director also plays a central role in coordinating and resolving complex, high-priority projects that span divisions and departments.

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in Public Works, with knowledge of municipal budgeting, financing, capital project funding, and transportation funding and grants. They should have experience providing strategic oversight of department-wide budget and funding matters, including internal City funds, fees, and enterprise funds, as well as outside funding through grants and state and regional apportionments. The candidate must be able to work directly with the Director of Public Works to resolve complex issues, direct major initiatives, and foster collaboration across divisions. A demonstrated commitment to customer service is essential, with the ability to build trust and positive relationships with staff, community members, elected officials, and partner agencies. In addition, the candidate should have strong strategic, organizational, and communication skills, along with the capacity to represent City interests effectively in regional forums and collaborative efforts. A strong focus on customer service, both internal and external, is essential to ensure responsiveness, professionalism, and the delivery of high-quality public services.

The Assistant Director assists the department director in the management and direction of the operations of a department. This position interfaces with City Officials, Department and Division Managers, Boards and Commissions, City Council and other agencies; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; ensures that projects and services are adhering to established plans, standards, and procedures; reviews all project activities, processes, and services; creates and implements policies governing the department's function, and assists in policy decisions that may have citywide impact; and designs and establishes outcome measures, customer service methods and processes.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This management level classification may be populated with multiple incumbents citywide who exercise a broad range of authority over complex projects or programs. The Assistant Director operates from general directives or broadly defined missions as they relate to the Department's goals and objectives. This classification is distinguished from the director of the department in that the latter provides executive direction and oversight, and is the principal administrator of the department. The Assistant Director is authorized by the department director to act on their behalf on all aspects of department operations. This position differs from division manager classifications in that the latter oversee the operations of a division within a department, while the Assistant Director is responsible for all divisions within a department and has a broader scope of contact.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Limited direction is provided by the director of a department. The incumbent may supervise professional, technical, and/or support staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, organizes, manages, leads, and evaluates the overall operations of the department. Under direction of the department director, has authority for support of all department staff.
  
• Meets with the department director, division managers, and other key department staff to share information and discuss issues regarding projects, policies and programs, and to determine priorities and resource management issues on a regular basis.
  
• Develops priorities, approach, and strategies regarding organizational development/ improvement initiatives; develops, plans, and implements Department goals and objectives in accordance with the core purpose, mission, vision, and values of the organization; develops, recommends, and administers policies and procedures; identifies, develops, and implements initiatives to improve service delivery with other City departments and public/regional agencies.
  
• Directs the provision of services that implements and enforces state laws and local ordinances/codes pertaining to field of department.
  
• Reviews legislation and assures compliance with laws, regulations, statutes, and codes that impact department operations.
  
• Selects, assigns, trains, directs, and evaluates subordinate staff, including subordinate managers, supervisors, professionals, and others; discusses, negotiates, and resolves personnel issues/ conflicts with staff, unions, and labor relations.
  
• Provides consultation and oversight to the Department's strategic planning efforts and participates in planning/design teams to develop direction, recommendations, and strategies for department development and improvement initiatives.
  
• Negotiates, arbitrates, and revolves program, project, and policy issues/conflicts with other departments and community/ business stakeholders.
  
• Attends City Council meetings; meets with the City Manager's Office and City Council regarding new programs, project/program status, sensitive/controversial issues; coordinates assigned activities with City Officials, other City departments, and outside agencies as appropriate; participates on committees and boards, and in community activities as assigned; outreach to community and industry, attends meetings, conferences, and workshops.
  
• Analyzes fiscal data to identify and project resource needs; recommends needed resources.
  
• Prepares complex statistical and narrative program reports, correspondence, and other documents.
  
• Directs the provision of services to safeguard the interest of the general public.
  
• Other duties may be performed as required; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local laws, standards, regulations, and policies pertaining to departmental operations.
  
• Technology and its application to efficient City operations.
  
• Principles of supervision, organization and administration.
  
• Budget preparation and administration.

Skill in:

• Strategic organizational planning and management.
  
• Public speaking and meeting facilitation.
  
• Leadership and mediation.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, and supervise division operations and activities.
  
• Analyze facts and exercise sound judgment in decision-making.
  
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  
• Assimilate and integrate the concerns, needs and desires of citizens, neighborhood associations, the development industry, and other City management.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, co-workers, elected and appointed officials and members of diverse cultural backgrounds regardless of race, religion, age, sex, disability, or political affiliation.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Seven years of progressively responsible professional administrative and analytical experience in municipal government, including five years of project management and supervision.

-AND-

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college with major coursework in public or business administration, political science, economics, urban or regional planning, engineering, or other related field. A Master's degree in one of these fields is desirable.

Substitution:

Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
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PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment. Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
• If applicants do not list current and past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
• If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire: (Pass/Fail) - In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, all applicants must complete and submit online responses to the supplemental questionnaire to the City of Sacramento Employment Office by the final filing deadline ;

• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire must be submitted online; paper questionnaire will not be accepted.
• Incomplete supplemental questionnaire will not pass the review process; omitted information cannot be considered or assumed.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the supplemental questionnaire.
• Possession of the minimum qualifications is not necessarily a guarantee for further advancement in the selection process.

3. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail) - All applications received by the final filing deadline will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

4. Interview Process: Human Resources will forward applications to the hiring department. Those determined to be the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting . If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 10/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$131,367.26 - $184,846.92 Annually