CLASS SPECIFICATION

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
Office of Chief Administrative Officer

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is senior level technical and administrative work which involves planning, developing, coordinating and implementing special projects within the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT). As this is a non-merit position within Montgomery County Government, the employee will be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The incumbent of this position reports to the Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation. Key responsibilities of the position include providing oversight and leadership for the County's efforts on key new initiatives and special projects and the improvement of customer services within the Department. The incumbent will also serve as a project manager and/or task force leader to study issues and implement actions in a variety of programmatic and management areas.

The work requires mastery of a comprehensive professional or administrative field and expert application of advanced level management principles to conduct strategic, visionary, long range planning; to establish and implement innovative concepts; to determine and advise the Director on such matters as methods and processes, the allocation of major resources, or the resolution of unprecedented problems involving adjustments in work effort, service levels, or resource requirements. The employee has complete responsibility and accountability for the achievement of established objectives and works with little or no technical guidance. The work outcome has a significant impact on the general population of the County.

The work is primarily sedentary, performed primarily in office settings, and subject to usual everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

Plans, leads and oversees the development of public works and transportation policy on a variety of projects and provides analyses on numerous diverse and complex issues/problems directly related to public works and transportation projects.
Organizes and/or leads agency committees to develop recommendations in a variety of functional areas within public works and transportation and provides advice on budget, program proposals and other matters to the Director.
Works with executive level managers and appointed officials of other State and local government agencies on selected, sensitive public works and transportation issues.
Coordinates special projects, transit initiatives, and customer service initiatives that involve multiple public/private entities and assists division chiefs in the implementation of these projects.
Performs special ad hoc assignments, researches issues, oversees studies, and provides analyses on public works and transportation issues and develops management recommendations.
Serves as project manager, committee chair, or task force leader to implement special projects.
Performs related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible experience in organizational management, or transportation and/or public works, four years of which are in a supervisory or executive capacity.
Education: Possession of a Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in business, business administration, or an equivalent field, or in an organizational discipline that, preferably, is in a field related to public works and transportation.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of management practices and principles
Knowledge of the principles and practices of transportation system planning and management.
Knowledge of local government functions and organizations.
Knowledge of Capital Improvements budgeting and programming, Operating budgeting and programming and related fiscal matters.
Knowledge of Federal, State and local transportation policies and standards.
Skill in planning, developing, implementing and administering a broad range of transportation functions across divisional and departmental lines.
Skill in negotiating agreements, a collective position, etc., in support of the execution of the program objective.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other governmental agencies, private organizations and the general public.
Ability to develop, present and defend program measurements related to the program.
Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside the office.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review.

Class Established: September 2002
Revised: June 2008