Superintendent of Public Works

Modified: September 6, 2017 11:11am

COUNTY OF ERIE - DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL
invites applications for the position of:

Superintendent of Public Works

#60-666 - Open Competitive (open to the public)

Salary: $75,000 - $83,000 Annually
Opening Date: August 30, 2017
Closing Date: September 27, 2017
Application fee: $20.00

**********************Amendment Issued September 6, 2017********************

Please see changes under RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS (below.)

Residence Requirements:

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:  CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT.  Preference may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of the municipality in which the appointment is to be made for one month preceding the date of the certification of the eligible list and who are residents of the municipality at the time of appointment.  Non-residents may be required to become a resident of the appointing municipality if local law so states.

The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill one present vacancy in the Village of Kenmore ($75,000 - $77,000 annually)  and a future vacancy in the Village of Springville ($75,000 - $83,000 annually) and will also fill other appropriate vacancies which may occur in municipalities or districts under the jurisdiction of Erie County Civil Service while this list is active.

A promotion examination will be held at the same time as this examination. The list resulting from the promotion examination will be used first but appointments from this open competitive examination are anticipated. Use of the list may be suspended after it is one year old for any position which it is practical to fill through a new promotion examination.

**********************Amendment Issued September 6, 2017********************

Please DELETE: "one present vacancy in the Village of Kenmore ($75,000 - $77,000 annually)"

Examples of Duties:

Superintendent of Public Works plans, organizes and supervises the activities of the Department of Public Works, including street, sewer and water line maintenance and repair, refuse collection, shade tree maintenance, water pumping stations, municipal lighting, electric transmission, distribution and hydroelectric generating facility, sidewalk maintenance, traffic signal and alarm systems, signs, the garage, snow removal facilities and the dog pound;

supervises the maintenance and repair of a sewage treatment plant;

maintains and supervises the use of buildings, properties, material apparatus and equipment used by or designated to be under the control of the department of Public Works;

prepares budget estimates for activities of the Department of Public Works;

administers the expenditure of funds appropriated for departmental function; conducts all personnel actions within the department, including interviewing applicants, making assignments, transfers and recommendations for promotions, hiring and dismissal and administration of Union contracts;

remains available for emergency calls as indicated; supervises the maintenance of all department records and the ordering and requisitioning of supplies and materials; develops contract and equipment specifications;

represents the municipality in contracts with other governmental jurisdictions, contractors and other public work matters;

attends meetings of the municipal board;

inspects and makes recommendations on the acceptance of work of outside contractors or consultants;

may operate various motor equipment.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test: 

A)   Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two (2) year college or university with an Associate's Degree in construction or engineering technology or related curriculum and three (3) years of experience in highway maintenance, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance, water or sewer plant operation, electric generation and transmission or engineering; or:

B)   Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of experience in highway maintenance, sanitary and storm sewer maintenance, water or sewer plant operation, electric generation and transmission or engineering, which included two (2) years of supervisory experience; or:

C)   An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), and (B).

Notes:

NOTES: 1. *A supervisory position is defined as a position in which supervision was a major responsibility of the job. Occasional or partial supervision of work crew is not acceptable supervisory experience. 2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements. 3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

Examination date:

October 28, 2017

Applications Must Be Postmarked or Hand Delivered By:

September 27, 2017

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

 

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of Examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Administrative supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and his/her subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.

2. Maintenance and reconstruction of streets, sidewalks and curbs

These questions test for knowledge of the proper methods, materials and equipment used in the installation, repair and upkeep of street surfaces, utility access holes, gutters, catch basins, curbing and sidewalks, including ice and snow removal and control.

3. Maintenance and construction of sanitary and storm sewer systems

These questions test for knowledge of the proper methods, materials and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, repair and cleaning of sanitary and storm sewers, catch basins and related appurtenances; and proper trenching and backfilling procedures.

4. Safety practices

These questions test for knowledge of and the ability to apply safety principles related to construction and maintenance work zones, including traffic control, the safe use of equipment, and the overall safety of workers, the traveling public, and the work environment.

5. Scheduling work and equipment

These questions test for knowledge of work scheduling principles and for the ability to arrange work and equipment assignments in a manner that will achieve work goals while staying within scheduling criteria. This may include setting up vacation or work schedules taking into consideration such factors as seniority, work skills, duty hours, and shift coverage.

6. Understanding and interpreting plans, specifications, and technical instructions

The questions test for the ability to comprehend, analyze, and perform computations based on technical drawings and written presentations related to construction and maintenance projects. All the information needed to answer the questions will be provided in the written material and/or drawings.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", "Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited.  You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.