SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Superintendent of Public Works is an unclassified role, so it is appointed at the discretion of the hiring authority and does not carry the usual exam-and-tenure track.
What it takes is 5 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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Superintendent of Public Works is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under direction, performs administrative and supervisory duties in planning and organizing the installation, maintenance, and repair of various public works facilities; does other related work as required.
Examples of work
- Oversees the maintenance and operation of a municipal waterworks, sewerage system or an electric lighting plant.
- Supervises the repair and maintenance of sheets, roads, avenues, public buildings, public places, sewers and public works equipment.
- Executes plans for the effective utilization of available funds, personnel, equipment, materials and supplies.
- Prepares department budget and maintain balances each year.
- Oversees department purchases.
- Develops standards for all equipment and materials used.
- Draws up specifications for all departments biddings.
- Keeps current with changes which would affect department operations and purchase procedures.
- Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with contracting, engineering, and manufacturing representatives as well as state agencies.
- Develops suitable work programs for the varied functions of the department.
- Provides suitable assignments and instructions to individuals and groups and supervises their work.
- Provide recommendations to superiors concerning disciplinary measures, promotions, and other employee matters.
- Supervises employees engaged in the work involved in the construction, maintenance, and repair of streets and sewers and in the installation, maintenance, and repair of pipes, valves, pumps, hydrants and other water service equipment.
- Conducts investigations of complaints and takes proper action to see that needed repairs are made with a minimum delay.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Requirements
<b>EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:</b>
Five (5) years of supervisory experience in the construction, maintenance, and repair of streets, in sewer, water, sanitation, or other public work facilities, or in similar heavy construction or maintenance work.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of procedures used in making repairs to water and sewer equipment.
- Knowledge of processes used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of streets.
- Knowledge of the methods used to oversee public works construction and maintenance projects.
- Ability to oversee and coordinate public works projects.
- Ability to provide suitable assignments and instructions to groups and individuals
- Ability to supervise and evaluate staff.
- Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to maintain records and files.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
Satisfactory completion of college level semester hour credits in engineering courses at an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience on the basis of 30 semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.
Where the position involves responsibility for supervision and administration of a water supply and/or sewage treatment system, appointees will be required to possess a license of the appropriate grade, issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, to operate a public water and/or sewage treatment plant and/or a public water supply system.