Deputy Director (Streets/Utilities)

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Excellent Management Opportunity
Do you thrive in a multi-priority environment; are a proven motivating and supportive leader; and successfully collaborate across departments and outside partners in critical community-serving construction projects and public infrastructure maintenance and operations? The City of Arcata is currently accepting applications for Deputy Director (Streets/Utilities), to fill a vacancy being created by a retirement. It is anticipated you will have 1-2 months of overlap before they retire.

The selected candidate will plan, organize, coordinate, manage and supervise assigned staff, programs, and activities within the Streets, Water Distribution, Wastewater Collections, Central Garage, and Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Divisions of the Environmental Services Department.

4% salary increase and additional salary range step scheduled for July 2023 ($88,325.10-$112,727.70 annually).

Generous Benefits including:
-112 hours Management Leave and 32 hours Floating Holiday provided per fiscal year - Ability to cash out up to 72 hours of combined banks each fiscal year
-Excellent health benefits, with the City paying the majority of the premiums for medical and full premiums for dental, and vision
-City contributes 1.5% of salary towards deferred compensation upon hire and increases with service with only a min. employee contribution of $25/mo.
-City contribution towards retiree health after 10 years, increases with service See the benefits tab on the job positing for additional benefits and details

*Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Utilities, Streets/Fleet, Plant Operations and Environmental Compliance Divisions, including operation and maintenance of streets, central garage, and construction and maintenance of wastewater and water distribution systems.

*Manages and coordinates the work plan for the assigned Divisions; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.

*Serves as the City’s top authority (i.e. Chief Operator) for the City’s Water Treatment Plant and Distribution System; including obtaining and maintaining, Water Treatment Operator and Water Distribution Operator certificates at least at the level required by the state based on the state’s designation of the grade of Treatment Plant and Distribution System; higher certificate levels may be required as determined necessary by the City.

*Manages project coordination for assigned construction or capital improvement projects, including planning, budgeting/finance development, design and development of project specifications, review, construction and inspection processes; requests, evaluates, negotiates and manages consultant proposals and contracts; assists in identification of and securing financing options; sets project schedules, design review elements, agency coordination, regulatory agency compliance, and budgeting consideration in accordance with appropriate standards.

*Participates in the selection, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.

*Manages and participates in the development, administration and monitoring of assigned Division budgets.

*Responds to inquiries, requests, and complaints as it relates to division and department functions and takes appropriate action; ensures the public is kept updated and aware of programs, projects, and other related activities through the department’s public notification policies and procedures.

*Oversees, manages, and directs the work of outside contractors, observing all applicable City administrative policies and procedures; reviews and evaluates work products and/or services for compliance with the City’s objectives, quality, and contract scope; approves payment of invoices for contractual work as appropriate.

For full examples of duties, please refer to the job description here. 


Certification/License Requirements: 
-Possess a Valid California Class C Driver’s License.
-Possess a State of California Water Treatment Operator Grade 1 certificate.
-Possess a State of California Water Distribution Operator Grade 1 certificate.
-Per the state designation of the City’s Grade of Water Treatment and Distribution System, obtain within eighteen (18 months) of employment the following certifications at least at the level required by the state to serve as the top authority (i.e. Chief Operator) for these operations:
      -Water Treatment Operator Certificate as required by the State of California. Currently required: Grade 2
      -Water Distribution Operator Certificate as required by the State of California. Currently required: Grade 3

For full details on Requirements, Knowledge and Abilities, please refer to the job description here.

For this vacancy, some applicants may have complete knowledge, experience and/or certification for each or many of the position requirements, while others many only possess that for certain areas. If in doubt please apply anyway. 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be the following, however this is an example only, the City will consider any related experience or transferrable skills:      Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, or related field, and at least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in public infrastructure development and maintenance activities or related service delivery operations,  including at least three (3) years related supervisory and budgetary experience.