OVERVIEW OF PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISION Basic Supervision Jeanne Nyquist Session Learning Objectives Overview of PW Supervision • Identify the supervisor’s role • Analyze key aspects of supervisor’s job • Compare the different types of plans used/prepared by a supervisor • Identify the resources available to supervisors • Understand the five-step decision making process • Prepare for questions must be answered in a good directive What is “Public Works”? • • • • • • • • Streets/Transportation Solid Waste Emergency Management Facilities and Grounds Water Wastewater Storm Water Engineering and Technology • Other GOVERNANCE MODEL Policy CUSTOMERS Plan Action Governing Body Management Employees ROLE OF SUPERVISOR • • • • • • Translate organizational goals Facilitate two-way communication Get work done through others Solve problems Remove roadblocks Maintain accountability SKILLS CONTINUUM Technical Skills Conceptual Skills Interpersonal Skills U.W. Crew Leader Supervisor Manager Director CROSSING THE THRESHHOLD •AUTHORITY •RESPONSIBILITY •RELATIONSHIPS •HOURS •STRESS TEAM COMPOSITION Manager Supervisor/ Leader Supervisor/ Leader Big Picture Skills Supervisory Skills Worker Worker Worker Worker Technical Skills TEAM Supervisor’s Job: GET THE WORK DONE . . . THROUGH OTHERS! How does a supervisor do it? • • • • • • Plans work Allocates resources Makes decisions Provides direction to the team Solves problems Measures and reports results PLANS WORK • • • • What needs to be done? What are the priorities? Who will do the work? When will it be done? Types of Plans • • • • • • Daily Weekly Monthly Quarterly Fiscal Year (Budget) Strategic (Long-Range) Other Plans • Special Projects or Events • Emergency Operational Plans • Staffing Plans Ready . . . Aim . . . Fire! Planning vs. Reacting Who controls your life? ALLOCATES RESOURCES Match Resources to the Job Equipment People Materials & Supplies MAKES DECISIONS 1. Gather info 2. Confer with your team(s) 3. Decide 4. Inform 5. Implement 5a. Adjust??? DECISION-MAKING Consider . . . • What is the parameter of the decision? • Who has the authority to decide? • Who is impacted by the decision? • When does the decision need to be made? • How should the decision be made? MAKING DECISIONS: Organizational Paradigms DECISION MAKING STYLES • • • • • Make decision alone – tell others Ask for input – then decide Ask for recommendation – then decide Discuss – get consensus Delegate completely The Indecisive Boss • • • • • • Recommend Allow time to ponder Follow-up (nag) What’s your tolerance for risk? Permission vs. forgiveness No decision is a decision PROVIDES DIRECTION • • • • Set Goals Make Your Plan Work Your Plan COMMUNICATE!!!!!!!!!! (15 ways into Sunday) – Who, What, When, Where, WHY, How • Debrief – Solicit Feedback • Follow-up SOLVES PROBLEMS SITUATION • What’s the problem? • What’s the environment? TARGET • What are we trying to accomplish? • What’s the goal? PROPOSAL • What are the alternatives? • What’s the best solution? Be Creative The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them. Albert Einstein MEASURE RESULTS • • • • How well are you doing? How do you know? Not just for “bean counters” Perception IS reality TELL YOUR STORY!!! Report Results • To Boss • To Team • To World TELL YOUR STORY!!! Attitude • Handling success • Handling failure • Handling the ridiculous How can I do better? • • • • • Simplify Rearrange Combine Eliminate Get Help CREATE A CONSPIRACY Q&A QUESTIONS OR ISSUES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION?