For City Council Meeting May 13, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tanya Williams, City Manager
AUTHOR: Shama Curian, Director of Human Resources and Risk Management
Title
Request the City Council to Approve Changes to Classification Specifications of Director of Public Works and Public Works Supervisor.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Approve Changes to the Classification Specifications of Director of Public Works and Public Works Supervisor.
BACKGROUND
The Director of Public Works manages the overall operations of the Public Works Department, including construction, engineering, streets, fleet, facility maintenance and household hazardous waste. This role involves strategic planning, budgeting, personnel supervision, and contract administration. Additionally, the director establishes goals, objectives, policies and procedures; provides assistance to the City Manager and the City Council; and coordinates activities with other City officials, departments, outside agencies, organizations, and the public.
The former Director of Public Works was promoted to Assistant City Manager on February 24, 2025, creating a vacancy in the Public Works Director position. Before initiating a recruitment process, a review of the current job classification revealed that it was outdated and no longer reflected the responsibilities of the role. Specifically, the classification still includes duties related to parks maintenance and water/wastewater operations - functions that have since been reassigned to other departments. Additionally, the position now requires oversight of the NPDES operations, which is not currently reflected in the job description. Updating the classification is essential to ensure alignment with the department’s current structure and operational needs and to attract qualified candidates with appropriate expertise.
The Public Works Supervisor is responsible for overseeing and coordinating a wide range of maintenance operations, including streets, fleet, traffic safety, and facility maintenance. This position involves planning, assigning and supervising staff, ensuring quality and compliance with policies and performing complex technical inspections and repairs. The supervisor also manages budget, works with contractors, maintains inventory and responds to emergencies and public concerns. Additionally, the position plays a key role in staff hiring, training and evaluations.
On March 25, 2025, the City Council approved the creation of an additional vacancy for the position of Public Works Supervisor. A review of the classification specification identified the need for updates to accurately reflect the current scope of the role. Specifically, responsibilities related to the parks and cemetery maintenance were removed, while new duties have been added to encompass traffic safety, fleet, landscape maintenance districts, and household hazardous waste. These revisions ensure the job description aligns with the department’s evolving operational needs and service priorities.
Provisions in the Personnel Rules and Regulations Rule III, Section 1, state that the City’s classification plan shall consist of classifications of positions defined by a classification specification. Section 2 of the Rules states that before the classification plan or any part thereof becomes effective, it shall first be approved in whole or in part by the City Council.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The classification specification for the Director of Public Works has not been updated since August 11, 2020. Since then, several changes have occurred in the job duties and responsibilities, including the removal of functions related to the Parks, Water, and Wastewater divisions. These functions have been reassigned to other departments, resulting in a more focused scope of responsibility for the position. This shift allows the Director to concentrate more on core Public Works operations such as streets, traffic safety, fleet services, and facility maintenance. These changes necessitate an update to the classification specification, which is provided as Attachment A.
Similarly, the classification specification for the Public Works Supervisor required contemporary updates to align with the current roles and functions of the Public Works Department. Recent modifications include the removal of duties related to the Parks Division and Cemetery operations, and the addition of new responsibilities, such as managing household hazardous waste, traffic safety, and landscape maintenance districts. These updates also require City Council approval. The revised classification specification for this position is included as Attachment B.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Complies with the following Rialto General Plan Guiding Principle:
Our Government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no fiscal impact to the FY 24/25 budget as the new position of Public Works Supervisor was approved during the March 25, 2025, mid-year budget presentation, and the Director of Public Works is included in the current Fiscal Year budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
This action has no impact on the Capital Fund Budget.
Licensing
Not applicable.