Public Works Director

This job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

General Position Summary

Under the direction of the Mayor, plans, organizes and coordinates the work of the Public Works division; coordinates the Public Works portion of the development and updating of comprehensive plans including Virgin’s General Plan and the Capital Improvements Plan, and supervises any assigned staff when they are hired. This is a full-time position.

Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community. They include municipal buildings, transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, pipelines), public spaces (such as parks), public services (water supply and treatment, wastewater or sewage treatment, electrical grid, stormwater diversion, drainage), and other, usually long-term, physical assets and facilities. The term public works has recently been expanded to include digital public infrastructure projects.

Essential Functions

• Town Property: Inspect and maintain town building including the town hall, old church, kitchen, and Conex containers used for equipment storage, as well as buildings in the parks; keep town equipment clean and in state of constant working order; keep all in an orderly manner. Some painting and minor repair work. Larger repair jobs to be outsourced.
• Town Parks: Performs general landscape and gardening duties; plants and transplants trees, shrubs, bushes, grass, flowers, etc. as directed to develop attractive parks and grounds; performs various fertilization techniques using dry and liquid chemicals.
• Cemetery: Performs general grounds maintenance and general maintenance activities; mowing and trimming of cemetery; marking off graves; prepares burial sites by digging and securing graves as directed by Cemetery Sexton; operates backhoe, tractors, weed trimmers, etc.
• Streets: Operates equipment in the maintenance and repair of town streets; patches potholes; transports and deposits various road materials; maintains roadways; trims and controls weeds by sides of streets; keeps gutters and drainage ditches clean and free of weeds and debris; maintains and updates street signs and street name signs; participates in work site safety procedures. Also maintain bridges and culverts.
• Water system: Inspects water lines as they are installed; operates backhoe, trenching equipment, etc.; performs installation or repair of water mains, water lines, water service connections, meters, and meter boxes; installs extensions to raise or lower existing boxes as needed; repairs or replaces fire hydrants and plugged water meters; cleans and maintains storage tanks; monitors water level in tanks; conducts water sampling on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis as set forth by the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Drinking Water; water meter reading; searches out shut off valves and water line leaks; performs duties as blue stakes operator; attends meetings and classes as necessary; utilizes computer for water system.
• ARCGIS Mapping: Creates useful maps of town’s infrastructure with ARCGIS mapping software. Responsible for gathering and compiling information pertaining to storm water, water, pressurized irrigation, and street and sidewalk programs using geographic information systems (GIS), geographic positioning systems (GPS), and various computer programs
  • performs a variety of technical duties related to the development or creation of asset management, digitizedmaps, and recordation through geographic information system (GIS) using a variety of computer program applications.
  • inspects work and infrastructure, which may involve walking over uneven terrain or crawling in and out of trenches.
  • oversees and participates in gathering data for a GIS system. Assists in the evaluation of software programs and solutions.
• Orders necessary supplies as approved by Mayor with a purchase order; submits receipts to town office immediately upon purchase.
• Insures that any and all problems are repaired and/or taken care of as soon as possible in the most efficient and economical manner.
• Keeps a maintenance log and writes weekly reports
• Reports any issues to the Mayor
• Use of heavy equipment is a main function of this job.

Specific Job Skills:

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge in municipal public works such as planning, design, maintenance, and construction.
• Knowledge in applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations pertaining to public works.
• Knowledge in safe work practices and complies with all safety regulations
• Knowledge of local government public works and contract management
• Working knowledge of maintenance equipment and tools; knowledge of hazards and related safety precautions
• associated with equipment operations.
• Knowledge of landscape and sprinkler system design; knowledge of and proper application of herbicides,
• fungicides, insecticides, and pesticides; recognize and identify common weeds and pests; recognize and identify
• diseases common to turf and greenery; effectively apply chemicals for the abatement and eradication of noxious
• weeds and insects; may be required to become a state certified applicator (weed, pest, etc.).
• Knowledge of culinary water systems: inspection, maintenance, care, and upkeep.

Ability to:

• Ability to analyze, evaluate, and implement municipal public works programs/projects.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of public works personnel.
• Ability to analyze problems and recommend alternative courses of action and provide leadership to others in
• implementing such actions.
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Maintain strong relationships with the town officials, employees, contractors, the public, and representatives of
• other agencies.
• Exercise individual initiative and discretion in work, including confidential matters.
• Effectively represent the Town in situations that are potentially adversarial or stressful.
• Attend and represent the Town at county meetings on public works projects.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Accurately apply laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to non-technical persons.
• Evaluate public works projects to ensure objectives are met and codes are followed.
• Recognize occupational hazards and utilize standard safety practices.
• Exercise flexibility.
• Manage multiple tasks with attention to details.
• Occasionally work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
• Learn ARCGIS mapping software

Mental Abilities

Continuous decision making, interpersonal skills, teamwork, creativity, use of discretion, independent judgment and/or action, and ability to read, write, speak and understand English, frequent problem analysis and performance of basic math, occasional customer service.

Physical Abilities

Frequent standing, walking, sitting, fingering, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions of hands and wrists; occasional feeling; stooping, crawling, kneeling, climbing, handling, bending, and repetitive motions of feet. Position requires ability to lift, push, pull, and carry at least 25 (twenty-five) pounds, usually more. THIS IS A PHYSICALLY INTENSIVE JOB.

Education and/or Experience

At least one year of building maintenance, construction, plumbing, or electrician experience and at least one year of work in the public works field.

OR a combination of education, training, and experience which provides a background sufficient to perform the work of

the position.

Needs to be certified as a water operator. If applicant does not have a water operator certificate, must be capable of

obtaining such certification within a year.

Job Conditions

Work is performed mainly in an outdoor environment and sometimes in an office. Outdoor work areas may include, but are not limited to, construction sites, environmentally sensitive areas and in and around public and private property. Position involves travel to a variety of locations to perform site visit work and/or attend meetings. Employee must be able to occasionally work irregular house, for evening meetings and during emergency situations.

Hazards

Working on or around heavy equipment, traffic, ladders, open trenches, scaffolding and heights; exposure to various dust, chemicals, fumes, odors and gases; tripping hazards from construction site debris and unstable walking surfaces; unrestrained animals, contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals, and inclement weather conditions.

Applications

In order to apply submit your resume to clerk@virgin.utah.gov or fill out the online form here.   Any questions feel free to call the town hall at

435-635-4695. This job will remain open until filled.