Public Works Operations Manager

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.

The Mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PAY

Earn an attractive compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement, paid time off, flexible work policies, commuter support, training and educational reimbursement.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbaras Public Works Department is seeking a motivated, results-based, and knowledgeable Operations Manager. Under administrative direction this position plans, coordinates, and manages a broad range of capital budgeting, operations, and program management functions of the Facilities Maintenance and Capital Improvements Programs, Fleet Services, and Streets Operations and Infrastructure Management sections within the Public Works Operations Division. This is a Division Manager position, which provides direct support to the Public Works Director; coordinates and supervises activities with other Public Works divisions; services City programs, public agencies, and private utilities; and is accountable for the daily supervision of crews and projects.

The ideal candidate:

• Has strong technical and interpersonal skills and experience necessary to manage and deliver capital programs within a collaborative team environment.
• Has a proven track record of project management and contract administration experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully deliver projects.
• Understands the techniques of managing, scheduling, and monitoring multiple projects simultaneously to ensure timely completion within budget.
• Solves and communicates controversial and complex technical problems to a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Has extensive construction experience and can monitor progress and ensure conformance to plans, specifications, and construction and safety standards and/or provide direction to staff regarding construction contract administration.
• Is thoroughly knowledgeable of the California Building Code Standards including areas related to requirements for new and remodel building projects.

BENEFITS

Knowledge of :

• Principles of planning; standards of Facilities, Fleet and Streets and Infrastructure management.
• Principles and practices of project and construction management.
• Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical report preparation.
• Principles of public administration and management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and control.
• Principles of mathematics as applied to design work.
• Principles of building/facilities construction, maintenance and repair work.
• Principles of land use, zoning concepts, and regulations including those involving Santa Barbara County and Caltrans; components of transportation plans.
• Caltrans street construction and maintenance practices.
• Sustainable building and management practices, and LEED standards.
• State and local building codes; City Municipal Code, Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) safety laws, regulations, standards, and work practices.
• Building emergency regulations.

• Federal and State requirements related to public accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
• Project management; contract administration practice.
• Budgeting practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment and software applications.
• Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including California Building Code.

• Plan, organize and supervise the work of professional and technical staff.
• Read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, governmental regulations, specifications, blueprints, sketches, diagrams, and building codes.
• Manage large and complex capital improvement projects.
• Ensure project compliance with appropriate Federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations.
• Review construction for compliance with applicable state and federal construction-related standards, including accessibility.
• Coordinate phases of construction projects and prepare progress reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Conduct comprehensive technical studies and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry to building and construction maintenance work.
• Select, train, supervise, coordinate and evaluate staff.
• Prepare and maintain technical records and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Interpret and ensure project compliance with Federal, State, and local contract requirements; interpret project plans, specifications and City codes and requirements.
• Estimate time, materials and equipment needed to complete projects and planned programs using staff or contractors; cost control techniques.
• Work cooperatively with staff, management, vendors, contractors, and others encountered in the course of work.

• Prepare and present public programmatic briefs to City Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees and community organizations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Make public presentations.
• Work independently.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

At least seven (7) years of professional experience performing advanced facilities and fleet management, engineering, streets construction, building construction and maintenance, and/or fleet maintenance. Five (5) years of which were at a supervisory or management level, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Education and/or Training:

Bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, construction management, public administration, city or regional planning, business administration, or a related field, preferably supplemented by coursework and training in facilities construction, transportation or traffic management, fleet asset management, and safety management practices. Extensive, proven experience in Public Works and/or as a General Contractor of twelve (12) or more years can be an acceptable substitute for a bachelors degree.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Ability to work extended hours to respond to natural disasters and provide oversight of maintenance operations involving supervisory and maintenance personnel.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as See application, Extensive Experience, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

OPEN RECRUITMENT: CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 .