Director of Public Works

Bellaire, Texas is located seven miles southwest of downtown Houston with a population of approximately 18,862 residents and a span of 3.5 square miles. Founded in 1908, Bellaire is an enclave residential community surrounded by Houston, offering a quality of life that promotes a family atmosphere with great amenities and the charm of a small town. We provide a full range of services to the community, including police, fire, and solid waste pickup along with excellent parks, recreation, and library.  Generous employee benefits include a 2:1 employer match on TMRS retirement contributions, 98% employer subsidy of employee-only medical plans, employee wellness program, and employer sponsored health savings accounts. 

The Public Works Director leads and directs the activities of the Public Works Department for the City of Bellaire.  The Director is responsible for managing and overseeing the City’s water and wastewater systems and services; stormwater management program; street maintenance program; traffic control program; and solid waste and curbside recycling services.   The Director supervises 36 department personnel; ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations; develops and implements department policies and procedures; develops and implements the department budget of $8.1 million; oversees the procurement and performance of department contractors and consultants; prepares reports; represents the department with other agencies and regional partners; and makes presentations to City Council on public works-related matters.  The Director reports to the City Manager and is supported by an Assistant Public Works Director.

*****This position will be posted until filled.*****  

Candidates who apply by February 28, 2023, will be regarded as first pool and given priority consideration.  If no selection is made from the first pool, candidates who applied after February 28, 2023, will be considered. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS:

• Demonstrated leadership and significant experience in public works operations and services
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, transparency, professional ethics, and integrity
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
• Excellent customer service skills
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Experience working in the field and administration
• Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to water and wastewater service
• Knowledge of industry best practices in public works operations and services
• Experience working for a municipality
• Experience working with regulatory agencies related to water and wastewater service
• Experience with SCADA and managing and interpreting utility data 
• Experience with asset management and capital improvement project planning
• Experience with employee recruitment, development, and performance evaluation
• Experience implementing workplace safety and security programs
• Experience initiating, managing, and successfully completing public works-related procurements and projects 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees the City’s water system and service delivery 
• Oversees the City’s wastewater system and service delivery 
• Oversees the City’s stormwater management and street maintenance programs
• Oversees the City’s traffic control program
• Oversees the City’s solid waste and curbside recycling services 
• Recruits, hires, and supervises department personnel; delegates work appropriately and monitors performance for quality and timeliness; ensures compliance with policies and procedures; creates culture of professionalism, open communication, continuous learning, and personal responsibility; mentors and provides training to staff; evaluates performance 
• Monitors for changes to laws and regulations and regularly reviews department facilities, services, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance, including compliance with TCEQ and Harris-Galveston Subsidence District rules, regulations, and permits 
• Stays informed of and implements industry standards and best practices to ensure safe, effective, and efficient service delivery
• Develops and implements plans and programs, including the department’s capital improvement plan, asset management plan, inventory control program, and work order management system
• Ensures safety of personnel through implementation of an effective workplace safety program
• Ensures security and integrity of department facilities and data   
• Ensures department compliance with procurement laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures
• Oversees and communicates with department contractors and consultants to ensure work is performed in accordance with contract specifications and within allocated budget
• Recommends and administers department policies and procedures
• Seeks continuous improvement in service delivery
• Regularly informs the City Manager and City Council on department matters
• Responds to citizen questions and concerns
• Engages with regional partners and agencies and represents the City 
• Engages with professional organizations to connect with industry peers and stay abreast of industry trends

Bachelor's Degree in business, public administration, engineering or related field; nine plus years related experience, including six years supervising public works programs and personnel; and a Valid Driver's License.

REQUIRED PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS:

Successful completion of the following pre-employment screenings is required:

• Criminal background check
• Controlled substance screening