Director, Department of Public Works (DPW)

OPEN:    January 22, 2021

CLOSE:   Open until filled

POSITION:    Director - Department of Public Works (DPW)

SALARY:  ES5 ($144,549 to $218,126)

The Department of Public Works (DPW) provides municipal services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible. DPW's Solid Waste Management Administration performs a number of daily operations including trash and recycling collection, sanitation education and enforcement, graffiti removal, public litter can service, fall leaf collection, and street and alley cleaning.  DPW's Parking Enforcement Management Administration enforces the District's on-street parking laws. Approximately 200 parking officers monitor 17,000 meters and 3,500 blocks of residential zoned parking. In addition to routine enforcement, the Parking Enforcement Management Administration is charged with booting and towing operations and with removing abandoned and dangerous vehicles from public and private property. Behind the scenes, DPW's Fleet Management Administration supports municipal operations by procuring, fueling and maintaining thousands of District government vehicles, from sedans to heavy equipment. Fleet Management also is responsible for purchasing environmentally friendly, alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV) for the city. To learn more about DPW, please visit here.

The Director of DPW works under the administrative direction and control of the Deputy Mayor for Operations and Infrastructure (DMOI) who provides broad policy direction. The incumbent is responsible for and has full authority to direct the activities and operations of the Department, which includes carrying out program functions within the framework of approved legislation, overall policies, missions, objectives and resources. Keeps the Mayor, City Administrator and Deputy Mayor informed of progress but recommendations and decisions of the incumbent are generally accepted as technically sound even though final approval may depend upon formal action of the incumbent's superiors.

Performance is evaluated on the basis of overall effectiveness in assisting  to achieve desired objectives and goals. Principle guides includes include established policies, procedures, and regulations of the District of Columbia, Mayor's Orders, legislation, and specific instructions from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and City Administrator.

The work is often times performed under pressure with strict time frames and short range plans. Guidelines are broadly state rarely adequate, therefore, a high degree of originality and technical judgment is required in determining the appropriate methods and techniques to utilize.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Serves as the principal advisor to the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the City Administrator, representing the Department of Public Works on a wide range of programmatic responsibilities, issues, and functions. The incumbent exercises broad latitude and authority in managing Department programs within the framework of existing legislation, laws and policies.
• Through subordinate managers and supervisors the incumbent is responsible for the overseeing the operation of the following initiatives:
• Efforts to maintain and improve the living environment of the District of Columbia, all activities concerned with solid waste management, visual blight, noise abatement, sanitation and public health related to environmental control, engineering activities, and rodent and insect control.
• Evaluates and develops legislation impacting on Departmental activities.
• Reviews operations, functions, policies, organizational concepts to improve the effectiveness of services rendered.
• Analyzes workloads, provide guidance on programs and methods. staff requirements and systems, and management and supervisory training programs and methods.
• Analyzes the public's views or support of the Department, and recommends major program changes and adjustments to ensure maximum community support.
• Serves as the District’s Senior Executive for managing the District of Columbia's public works, infrastructure within the public right-of-way.
• Serves as a trusted subject matter expert and policy advisor in District government for public works-related policy and management decisions.
• Represents the Department and the Bowser Administration in both public and private sector forums.
• Provides guidance and administrative direction to Agency staff. 
• Engages regularly with the Executive Office of the Mayor, the Office of the City Administrator, the Deputy Mayor for Operations and Infrastructure, Councilmembers, other District agencies, and federal and regional partners.
• Ensures effective engagement with residents, businesses, and other key stakeholder groups.
• Implements the District’s snow clearance and removal activities and supports the District’s response to other weather events.
• Oversees the planning and execution of major, multi-million dollar infrastructure projects.
• Evaluates the Agency's operations and budget and uses expertise to determine and advance priorities, target resources, prioritize staff efforts, and execute plans.
•  Implements changes in management practices through written directives and ensures that these practices are carried through to completion.
• Manages the performance of a work force of approximately 928 employees including community and transportation planners, environmental specialists, traffic;, civil and general engineers, transportation management specialists, and mass transportation analysts and inspectors, along with technical and administrative staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted and Executive Service either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.  The law also requires that Excepted and Executive Service employees maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment. Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.