Director of Parks & Public Works #2305-0984-01

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in New Haven as responsible stewards of the public's physical assets by providing outstanding service in partnership with the community. We design, build, maintain, green, protect and improve the city's parks, infrastructure, facilities, and public spaces with skill, pride. innovation. and responsiveness. We create better lives through the services we provide. The mission is supported through the following areas:

Parks & Trees	Resident Services	Streets Division
Refuse Division	Finance/Admin Division	Bridge Division
Fleet Maintenance	Right of Way/Public Space Enforcement	Eviction Services

The beauty of the City of New Haven is personified in its parks for residents to enjoy nature. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for New Haven residents by creating an atmosphere of community through people, parks and programs. We are proudly responsible for the stewardship of the Elm City’s over 2,200 acres of parks, and the tree belt. 

This is a senior management level position requiring management, administrative and technical skills necessary to direct the daily execution of a variety of activities involving Parks and Public Works personnel. The position is appointed by the Mayor and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer.

Work involves the planning and directing work tasks associated with day to day maintenance of parks, parkways, public rights of way, bridges (including mechanical moving bridges), citywide refuse collection and disposal, recycling, snow removal, fleet management, forestry, park and recreational facilities and drainage. The position is responsible for coordinating emergency responses to flooding, snow or other weather-related emergencies and works closely with other public safety officials in responding to both natural and man-made disasters.

Within the general policies of the City and the general instructions of the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer the position exercises considerable judgement and initiative in budgeting and administering funding, coordinating work tasks, supervising personnel, handling correspondence, overseeing departmental finances, dealing with personnel issues, and communicating with elected officials and members of the public are daily functions of the position.

• Supervises the planning, scheduling, implementation and evaluation of departmental resources and setting of priorities; leads subordinate managers in long-range planning and problem-solving responsibilities.
• Implements improvements for roads, sidewalks, bridges, parks facilities, horticulture, tree and other infrastructure needs consistent with the responsibilities of the Department of Parks and Public Works to insure safe use by the public.
• Directs staff and other resources in implementing maintenance procedures for the care and safe use of parks, fields, playgrounds, roads, sidewalks, trees, bridges, public spaces, solid waste facilities and fleet equipment.
• Directs, implements, and manages all snow removal operations.
• Provides emergency assistance in warranted situations as required to ensure the safety of the public.
• Directs and implements the Citywide refuse and recycling collection program and coordinates with the Solid Waste Authority on the operation of the City’s transfer station.
• Directs and implements all policies involving public works activities in accordance with City, State and Federal laws and regulations and permit requirements.
• Directs all administrative efforts associated with annual budgets (operating and capital), ongoing financial management and accountability, procurement of outside federal and state resources and financial reporting.
• Coordinates with other Departments where necessary to undertake improvements to the City’s public infrastructure.
• Manages communications with the Board of Aldermen, the media and other public interests with regard to Parks and Public Works matters.
• Manages all parks and public works personnel issues involving work assignments, union disputes, and working conditions consistent with Civil Service requirements, approved Union agreements, OSHA requirements and City workplace policies.
• Organizes departmental resources to implement responsibilities of Parks and Public Works
• Attends meetings involving parks and public works matters as directed by the Mayor or the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Instructs subordinates on policy matters and in the methods and procedures to be followed in carrying out various activities; confers with the departmental staff and instructs them in their work; identifies training needs and evaluates performance.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with emphasis on civil engineering, urban planning, transportation, environmental studies, parks and recreation administration, public administration or related field. A master’s degree in public or business administration is preferred. Five to seven years of progressively responsible related financial and operational management experience preferably in public sector/government; including 3 to 5 years supervisory experience. In lieu of college degree, an additional four years of experience in civil engineering, urban planning, transportation, environmental studies, parks and recreation administration, public administration or a related field may be substituted.

The equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Ability to supervise and manage a diverse workforce numbering 170 or more full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
• Considerable knowledge of public works operations including refuse and recycling collection, waste disposal, street cleaning, snow removal, emergency response, and equipment use and maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of the principals and practices of parks administration.
• Considerable knowledge of personnel management issues in a union environment.
• Ability to plan and direct others in implementing programs and projects.
• Considerable knowledge of financial management principles including budgeting and accountability.
• Considerable knowledge of the sources and requirements of inter-governmental funding and other forms of technical assistance.
• Ability to solve problems and deal creatively at more effective/efficient ways to carry out responsibilities with limited resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally with employees, department heads, contractors, elected officials, members of the public and other groups as necessary.
• Ability to utilize the computer for word processing, scheduling, communicating, planning, and managing work tasks. Moderate skills required in word processing, spreadsheet, and project management applications.
• Considerable knowledge of management and maintenance principles associated with public infrastructure.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, and members of the public.
• Possession of and ability to maintain a valid State of Connecticut driver’s license.
  

 

·         The Position is Governed by the Charter and the Executive Management and Confidential Handbook. The position fills the charter requirements of both the Director of Parks and the Director of Public Works.

·         Elector status in the City of New Haven is required within six months of appointment.

·         The position has a four-year term appointed by the Mayor. Candidates filling vacancies mid-term shall fill out the remainder of the existing term.

 

This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources and the Chief Administrative Officer.

 It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process, and in some cases, this information may be used to determine the eligibility list.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.