JOB INFORMATION

Under the direction of the Deputy Director, one Assistant Deputy Director will oversee and manage the operations sections of the Transportation Department’s (Department) Engineering & Asset Management Division (Division). The sections manage some of the City’s critical Transportation assets such as pavement, sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signals, and traffic infrastructure.

This position is responsible for managing and ensuring the efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and resources; standardizing procedures to improve operating efficiencies; developing, supervising, and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; addressing personnel matters including hiring, onboarding, and retention for the Division staff; and ensuring the Division meets or exceeds all performance metrics and customer service standards.

This position will manage and oversee various engineering sections with approximately 50 full-time equivalent employees and the equivalent operating budget for these staff. Section employees may be diverse in their backgrounds and functions including staff that perform field operations, engineers/planners, and administrative or fiscal staff. The Assistant Deputy Director will need to possess the ability to manage all aspects of the operations and implement effective and innovative solutions and cost efficiencies in order to run a successful operation.

Within the two areas of management, this position will assist with developing and administering policies and programs for the Division. For the areas of field operations, engineering and planning, the key areas of focus include: the development of current and long-range operational and budgetary needs; serving as lead for process and continuous improvement efforts; and monitoring key performance indicators, workload, and production data to inform decision making. In addition, this position will ensure that the progress of programs is appropriately tracked and reported to the Mayor, City Council, and other stakeholders, and will lead policy discussions related to these programs when needed.

There's no such thing as a "perfect" candidate. The City is looking for exceptional people who want to make a positive impact through their work, will serve their community proudly, and be excited to come to work every day. Education and experience studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every task listed in the job description. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications and we encourage you to apply if you are interested.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and performance standards for the Division
• Ensuring proper controls, procedures, and processes are in place to promote and encourage consistent and quality work; reviewing and updating work processes to ensure effectiveness
• Tracking and reporting on key performance indicators and determine resource, funding, or process improvement needs
• Serving as lead to implement continuous improvement efforts across all assigned service areas
• Supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of direct reports and other technical and administrative staff
• Coordinating work with City departments, contractors, and other agencies
• Planning and implementing projects and tasks to ensure compliance with grants or other funding sources, audits, and City milestones or requirements
• Ensuring strong customer service across the Division and managing Council Office inquiries and public requests for the relevant Division work
• Representing the Department in meetings with elected officials, agencies, and community groups
• Compiling and reporting information to executive management including service request status, project status/timeline, and resource and budgetary needs among others
• For candidates who hold a Professional Engineering License, this role may include acting as a Deputized City Engineer or the City Traffic Engineer

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field; and
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible supervisory and(or) professional management experience in engineering, operations, or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce.
• Any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications.

Desirable Qualifications :
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• General knowledge of right of way infrastructure repair and maintenance activities or other related construction activities for a variety of assets: streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, streetlights, traffic related infrastructure
• Experience overseeing large capital projects or large operations and maintenance programs with the ability to successfully manage large employee populations, substantial capital or operating budgets, and high-profile and visible programs
• Knowledge or expertise in City, State, and Federal standards, laws, and regulations
• Interest in municipal services and how they impact the community
• Experience managing diverse operations with a high-volume of customer requests or competing priorities
• Ability to establish clear goals, expectations, and priorities for team and successfully monitor and manage to completion
• Strong quantitative analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• A desire to solve problems and integrate process improvements, and an ability to work in a resource-constrained environment with a “can do” attitude
• Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative
• Motivated by delivering excellent internal and external customer service
• Understanding for how to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear and straightforward manner, including the use of graphs and tables as needed, and across various audiences, including elected officials, City management, and members of the public
• Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture”
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and timelines with a positive attitude
• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political

Benefits:
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary Linked In Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

The Department:
The Transportation Department is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic signals, and engineering of multimodal transportation systems; managing the Utilities Undergrounding Program; and management and coordination of resurfacing and utility work within the public right-of-way. The Department manages large capital operations and receives a high volume of customer service requests with the must publicly-visible “essential” infrastructure across the City.

The Department is comprised of over 500 staff and four distinct divisions: Right-of-Way Management, Street, Engineering & Asset Management, and Administrative/Fiscal.

The City:
With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan".

As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Application Instructions: Kindly adhere to the instructions provided in the "Selection/Application Process" section below, we regret to inform you that online applications will not be considered.

Selection/Application Process:
To be considered for this position, you must submit the following items to the Human Resources Department at: Human Resources@sandiego.gov
1) Resume;
2) Letter of Interest, highlighting your relevant work experience and qualifications for this position; and
3) List of three professional references.

NOTE(S):

• Attachments must be submitted in either PDF or Word Document format.
• Reference Recruitment Number U2529 in the Subject Line.
• Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews and selection may begin upon receipt of resumes from qualified individuals.

Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. If you have any questions, please email the City’s Human Resources Department at Human Resources@sandiego.gov.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.