Assistant Public Works Director - Business Operations

Responsibilities

The Assistant Public Works Director - Business Operations manages contracts, procurement, vendor oversight, and financial processes to ensure the organization receives cost-effective, timely, and high-quality services from contractors and vendors. This position supports efficient service delivery by overseeing contractor performance, procurement activities, budget management, and operational improvements that promote accountability, transparency, and organizational effectiveness.

• Contract & Vendor Oversight
  • Serve as liaison with contractors/vendors, ensuring compliance with terms, timelines, and quality standards.
  • Monitor contractor performance; enforce accountability and corrective actions.
  • Conduct site visits and provide progress updates to city leadership.
• Procurement & Financial Management
  • Lead procurement processes, vendor selection, and contract negotiations.
  • Develop bid specifications and ensure fair, competitive selection processes.
  • Assist with preparation of operational and capital budgets, focusing on cost-benefit analysis of contracted vs. in-house services.
• Project & Service Delivery Oversight
  • Review scopes, budgets, and schedules for efficiency and alignment with city goals.
  • Coordinate with Technical Operations counterpart to balance contractor work with city crew capacity.
  • Develop and enforce performance standards for contracted services.
• Innovation & Process Improvement
  • Introduce technology for contract tracking, project progress, and cost monitoring.
  • Implement data-driven decision-making to reduce costs and improve transparency.
• Emergency Response Support
  • Coordinate with contractors for rapid mobilization during natural disasters and emergencies.
  • Ensure vendor readiness for emergency operations.
•  Work Order System Management
  • Manage work overall work order progress, customer satisfaction, and reporting function as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years in engineering, construction management, contract oversight, procurement, or public works business operations.
• Strong knowledge of procurement law, contract management, and financial accountability.

Key Compentencies

• Contract Management: Skilled in negotiating, managing, and enforcing vendor and contractor agreements.
• Operational Leadership: Ensures efficient workflows and timely project delivery.
• Problem-Solving: Quickly identifies challenges and develops practical, effective solutions.
• Accountability: Holds self, staff, and contractors to high performance standards.
• Communication: Clear communicator with the ability to simplify technical or complex issues for diverse audiences.

Personal Qualities

IBTS places a high value on certain personal traits that work toward creating a positive, professional, and supportive work environment, which is essential for working together and achieving success. We believe “how” you achieve your results is as important as what you achieve. The following highlights the personal traits key for success within the organization.

• Work Ethic
• Decisive/Problem Solving
• Strategic/Innovative Thinking
• Interpersonal Skills
• Risk Evaluation/Management/Mitigation
• Relationship Building
• Conflict Resolution
• Delegation

Physical Demands

Environmental Conditions:

• Office/field environment; occasional exposure to inclement weather conditions.

Physical Conditions:

• Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing, or walking for prolonged periods and operating motorized vehicles.

Company Overview

Bring your passion, expertise, and experience to IBTS, where we appreciate and are committed to our employees. We offer outstanding benefits, growth opportunities, and work hard to maintain a culture that values our employees. 

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established to provide unbiased professional building code compliance services, while enhancing the communities in which we work. At IBTS, our mission is to deliver quality services to meet the challenges of governance at all levels while enhancing public safety, economic development, and the general welfare of the community. Our services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability Services, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, as well as Compliance and Risk Monitoring.

IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.

We are committed to building a community of experts with diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives who are passionate about our mission. IBTS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer that maintains a diverse and inclusive workforce.  All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. This opportunity is open to Section S3 Residents.  Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Explore the opportunities!