978
PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATOR
NATURE OF WORK
This is highly responsible, administrative and professional work involving the direction and coordination
of all public works’ activities.
Work involves responsibility for planning, organizing, directing and coordinating activities of the various
departments comprising the Public Works Administration. Involved are responsibilities for determining
major policies for planning long and short range programs and for making difficult administrative and
professional decisions. Considerable authority is delegated to department directors for the performance of
technical and administrative activities. The major emphasis of work of this class is on overall
administrative planning and coordination requiring the exercise of sound judgment and management skills.
Work also involves important working association with representatives of county, state and federal
agencies and private, commercial, industrial and engineering companies. General direction is given to a
staff of professional, technical, supervisory, skilled, unskilled and clerical employees through department
directors. Work of this class also includes authority and responsibility, as delegated, for the selection,
placement, promotion, training, development, safety and discipline of personnel engaged in the various
phases of the Public Works Administration. Work is performed under the general direction of an
administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, inspections, analysis of reports and
evaluation of results achieved.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK
Plan, assigns, directs and exercises general supervision through department directors over employees
engaged in a wide variety of public works’ construction, maintenance and operating tasks; studies
departmental organization, personnel distribution and project requirements to affect most efficient and
economical utilization of facilities, personnel and equipment.
Develops and implements program and project policies and procedures for the Public Works
Administration.
Conducts and attends meetings and conferences to discuss current work problems, policy changes, safety
requirements and other pertinent matters.
Studies equipment needs and makes recommendations for the maintenance and/or replacement of
equipment.
Analyzes budgets of the several Public Works departments and makes adjustments; prepare final budget
estimates; prescribe general rules, regulations and policies governing agency budget administration.
Participates in the selection, placement, promotion, training, development, safety, discipline and appraisal
of subordinate employees.
Attend meetings and conferences with representatives of county, state and federal agencies, Florida League
of Cities, public utilities, professional groups, local civic clubs and other citizen groups.
Performs related work as assigned.
978
PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATOR (Continued)
DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of construction and maintenance methods, materials and equipment as employed in
municipal public works.
Thorough knowledge of administrative practices and procedures as related to engineering and public works
management.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to municipal public
works.
Ability to plan for City needs, to delegate and distribute personnel and review the work of operating
departments.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, officials of
other governmental jurisdictions, professional engineers, contractors and the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering,
supplemented by graduate level course work in public administration or a related degree.
Considerable experience in municipal public works or engineering operations including considerable
progressively responsible experience in supervisory and administrative capacities.
Date Reissued: 1/10
Date Revised: 1/10, 3/96
Date Issued: 10/71
City of St. Petersburg