Director of Public Works   Employer: City of Salem Job Location: Salem , OR Cash Compensation: Industry Type: Building Owners Job Description: The Director position is vacant due to the retirement of the previous Public Works Director. The Public Works Department is the Citys largest department. The Department has 350-plus employees and includes the divisions of Administration, Engineering, Transportation Services, Wastewater Treatment, and Operations. The Operations Division includes Billing, Wastewater Collection, Water Treatment and Distribution and Environmental Services The Public Works Department has established a reputation of successfully managing large construction projects, preparing for community long-term infrastructure needs and successfully operating large water, wastewater, natural resources, and transportation systems. The Public Works budget has two primary funds. The Public Works fund is $22 million and includes Administration, Engineering, and Transportation Services. The Water and Sewer Fund is $77 million and includes Debt Services, Wastewater Treatment and Operations. The Directors office also manages the Public Works portion of the Capital Construction fund. The department will complete significant wastewater treatment and conveyance projects this year. The $150 million reconstruction of the wastewater treatment facility will double the Citys capacity to treat wastewater. A $68 million construction of the wastewater bypass system will also be completed this fall. A 69 inch water transmission line project is a multi-year project that is scheduled for completion over approximately 10 years. Job Requirements: The City is looking for a Public Works Director who will work with the City Manager and within Councils direction to provide vision and direction for the full range of services provided by the department. The successful candidate must have experience developing and closely managing department operations, capital improvement plans and finances. A track record of organizing for effectiveness, being technologically progressive, and researching and applying best practice methods is required. The ideal candidate will work with managers and staff to establish clear goals and ensure individual and organizational accountability. The Public Works Director must have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals or groups, and make oral presentations with emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills. The Director must embrace diversity and have the ability to manage and mentor staff using a collaborative, open style. The ideal candidate must be policy focused and politically-aware. This is a position of public trust and requires impeccable ethics and integrity. The City is looking for a Public Works Director who has experience successfully identifying emerging issues and working with state and federal regulatory agencies on complex matters. The Director must also have a strong knowledge of financial management and asset management methods. The successful candidate must have experience analyzing and recommending utility fees, charges, bond measures and similar financing options. The position requires the ability to build strong, professional relationships with the City Manager, Department Directors, City Council members, staff, advisory board members, developers and community members. The City requires a proven collaborative working style and thoughtful decision-making. City Departments work as a team and the Public Works Director must understand how his/her role and the department fit into the overall operations and needs of the city organizational structure and goals. The City works diligently to provide excellent customer service and an open, accessible government. The successful candidate must share this orientation. Company Description: Salem, the capital city of Oregon and its second largest city, lies in the center of the lush Willamette River valley, 47 miles from Portland. Salem is a city of over 47 square miles, located an hour from the Cascade mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem’s current population is 147,215 (July 2005) with a sustainable growth rate of approximately 1.5 percent per year. Thriving businesses abound in Salem and benefit from economic diversity. The Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) in Salem is the lead economic development agency for Marion and Polk Counties. This private, non-profit membership organization’s mission is to enhance and diversity the Mid-Willamette Valley area’s economy. Salem has plentiful natural resources including land available for development, such as 515 acres of developable land at Mill Creek Industrial Park. For in-depth information, including quality of life statistics, employment and income data, visit www.sedcor.org. Salem has an excellent K-12 school system and five institutions of higher education. Over 13 public or private universities and colleges are located within a 70-mile radius of Salem. Salem’s educational institutions provide undergraduate and graduate programs and workforce training, as well as contributing a rich tapestry of cultural events and art that enrich the community. Salem offers a wide array of restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions, ranging from historic sites and museums to events that appeal to a wide variety of interests - from sports tournaments to Arts Fairs, theater and music. From our vibrant downtown, several parks and our historic district are within walking distance. 1,869 acres of park land invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors. Surrounded by green pastures, fields of flowers, gardens, vegetables, orchards and vineyards, Salem’s year-around and summer farmer’s markets overflow with locally raised produce and hand-crafted products. Salem is the perfect base for a tour of Oregon’s wine country or a visit to any or all of the many extraordinary gardens in the city and the surrounding area. Protecting and developing senior water rights to provide a long-term reliable drinking water source for the community. Understanding and addressing changing stormwater and wastewater requirements and their impact on current systems.