Director of Public Works - County of Nevada

 
SAVE THE DATES: The County will be conducting three rounds of in-person interviews.

• Round one interviews will take place on August 16th.
• Finalists will move forward to a round two, final interview with County leadership on September 4th.

 
Work in a scenic environment, while ensuring the functionality of the community’s infrastructure! The County of Nevada, California is seeking a Director of Public Works to provide visionary leadership for the Public Works Department’s 80 staff, six divisions, and approximate budget of $64 million. The new Director will integrate into the community while overseeing a variety of exciting and innovative projects – including the construction of a new transfer station, installation of electric fleet chargers, maintenance of the area’s most beautiful historic bridges, traffic flow improvements, and the development of bike lanes.
 
The ideal candidate has a desire to make an impact on this beautiful region. They will have a positive and hands-on leadership style, a desire to mentor others, enthusiasm for engaging with the community, and the ability to serve as the voice of the organization. They will also demonstrate technical and regulatory knowledge in their role, combined with confident public speaking abilities and clear communication. The County emphasizes prior experience working in a jurisdiction of a similar size for success in this role. The County of Nevada prioritizes work-life balance, family, and professional development in a vibrant community surrounded by rivers and mountains. Be part of a winning team – Apply today!
 
THE COMMUNITY
Nevada County is perfect for those who crave a peaceful and fulfilling lifestyle in the great outdoors. The County is home to over 104,000 residents and covers an area of 974 square miles. Surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains, this county is a nature lover's paradise, with state parks, lakes, and trails galore for hiking, camping, and fishing. And let's not forget the ski resorts and snow parks, which make Nevada County a winter wonderland. Nevada County also has a thriving arts and cultural scene with a vibrant community of artists and musicians, galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. The Nevada County Fairgrounds host events year-round, including the ever-popular Nevada County Fair and the California Worldfest. Nevada County is also an economic powerhouse, with local businesses and industries thriving in technology, health, and tourism, where residents can enjoy affordable California living!
 
THE COUNTY
The County of Nevada is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors who are dedicated to providing outstanding public service through working with the community to develop sound and innovative public policy and deliver excellent services in a fiscally responsible manner. The County is comprised of 875 full-time employees and another 100+ temporary employees who provide essential services across the County’s 25 departments. The County strives to be a community where all residents thrive, visitors feel welcome, and we care for one another and value our differences.
 
THE DEPARTMENT
The Public Works Department is dedicated to providing the best customer service to maintain public health and safety, within the purview of the six Divisions of Public Works: Engineering, Fleet Services, Road Maintenance, Solid Waste, Transit, and Wastewater. The Department includes 80 staff, six divisions, and an approximate budget of $64 million. As part of the Community Development Agency, the Public Works Department is committed to advancing the quality of life for all within Nevada County.
 
CURRENT PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
The 2024 CIP represents a five-year, $147 million program investment in public roads and infrastructure through the year 2028.

• McCourtney Road Transfer Station: Improvements to the transfer station’s efficiency and operations, technology, and sustainability.
• Historical Bridges: Maintenance of several of the County’s most beautiful, historic, and popular local bridges.
• Electric Fleet Infrastructure: Installing additional charging equipment for the region’s zero-emissions transit buses.
• Roundabout Installations: Significant improvements to the area’s traffic flow and safety.
• Bike Lanes: Development and maintenance of the County’s bike lanes, supporting the local cycling community in their recreational safety and sustainability.

 

• The Director of Public Works for the County of Nevada assumes a pivotal role in overseeing the comprehensive operations of the Public Works Department. Reporting to the Community Development Agency Director, this position provides expert assistance to the Board of Supervisors and County management. The Director actively engages in open dialogue with stakeholders and the public, soliciting feedback and presenting project updates to ensure alignment with community expectations. An ability to build and maintain trust among a diverse audience is foundational to successful project execution. The ideal Director is engaging, personable, and energetic, with a flexible mindset.
• The Director will plan and allocate resources to meet the needs of the Public Works Department. This entails preparing and presenting budget proposals, monitoring financial performance, and making strategic adjustments to ensure fiscal sustainability. They will also ensure adherence to State legislation, safety regulations, and industry best practices. This includes overseeing regular safety audits, implementing training programs, and staying abreast of evolving regulatory requirements.
• The ideal Director embodies a unique blend of professional expertise, personal integrity, and a genuine appreciation for rural living and outdoor exploration. An appreciation for the region’s natural beauty, coupled with dedication to community engagement and environmental stewardship, makes the ideal candidate uniquely suited to lead the Public Works Department and contribute to the continued prosperity and well-being of Nevada County and its residents!

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of…

• Principles and best practices of leadership.
• Financial management and budget administration. 
• Personnel management, including team meetings, performance evaluations, and the implementation of training programs to enhance skills and productivity.
• Best practices of planning, design, engineering, surveying, land use, transit, and fleet operations.
• Capital improvement project and program oversight.

Professional Development Opportunities
Executive staff receive the following training within the first 12-24 months of employment:

• Nevada County Community Leadership Institute: A series of sessions designed to provide mentorship and networking opportunities for public service leaders.
• California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Senior Executive Credential Program:  The CSAC Institute provides recognition of the enhancement of leadership practices and knowledge capacity; increasing ability to better address the complex challenges facing communities today.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities is described below:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, public or business administration or a closely related field.
• Experience: Five (5) years of professional civil engineering work or six (6) years of experience in private civil engineering or public works agencies, two years of which are served in a supervisory capacity
• Driver’s License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

HIGHLY DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education:  Master’s degree in public or business administration.
• Licensure: Licensed as a Professional Civil Engineer with State of California.
• Experience: Prior background in a jurisdiction of similar size, ideally in a rural area.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
This position receives an annual Salary of $168,116 - $205,234 DOE/DOQ, PLUS a generous benefits package that includes: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: CalPERS' suite of medical plan offerings. Delta Dental Coverage and Vision Service Plan (VSP) vision coverage. 
• Retirement: The County is in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) coordinated with Social Security.
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Sick Leave: 8 hours accrued per month.
• Vacation Leave: 10 hours accrued per month (years 1-4) and increases to 13.334 hours per month (years 5-10).
• Admin Leave: 40 hours per fiscal year. 
• Tuition Reimbursement:  The continuing education program is designed to assist employees in achieving their higher education degrees such as MA/ MS.  The County of Nevada is also a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
• Life Insurance: $50,000 with the option to purchase supplemental insurance. 
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling, coaching, and wellness services.
• 457 Deferred Compensation, including a Roth option and a 401(a) plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health and/or Dependent Care accounts. 
• Longevity Pay: 2.5% pay differential for employees with 10 or more years of service.