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Applicant Materials Binder
The trick is to explain the scope of the subject not the technical criteria; essentially you explain why it is needed
more than how it is done. For example how you would explain the line of sight. Instead of explaining the line of
sight corrections when the roads are improved show them how line of sight improvement is going to impart the
road safety. That would show them the beneficial side of the project scope. Other example would be
implementing the safety standards for road design. Instead of giving them engineering criteria I would share with
them how not implementing these standards have caused personal injuries, deaths and property damage.
In all new position your biggest challenge is to know your team and your clients. Understanding your resources
give you better handle on efficient allocation of these resources. I work hard on knowing people, opening direct
channels of communication and making myself available as much as possible. Most recent example of such a
project was the expansion of our landfill to accommodate the rapid growth of population and industrial activities.
Using our past experience we built a cell in 2014 which was supposed to last for next five year but after nine
months it become obvious we need a bigger capacity within a six month period. We ended up replacing the
existing design team and hiring a new design team, designing, getting approval and building a brand new cell
within one year period. This new cell was ten times larger the last one we had built. This project required a
tremendous effort, technical knowhow and a flawless communication with the elected officials, citizens and
agencies. During all this there was an ongoing struggle to run the operations where we were hiring, training
people at a tremendous rate.
Public Works Division has five departments run by individual department managers who directly report to Public
Works Director. These five departments are Solid Waste, Planning and Zoning, GIS, Water Resources,
Engineering and Road Maintenance. We also conduct other functions including permitting, utility billing and fleet
management for the whole county. When I came on board McKenzie County did not have a concept of fleet
management. I had the experience of fleet management and upon my recommendation to the board we decided to
create a program here, which is functioning well. We take care of 200 plus vehicle where we provide basic
maintenance, automated vehicle tracking, and help with purchases. We have made a tremendous improvement but
I believe there is a huge room for improvements. We have recently purchased Equipment 360 software for
tracking costs and maintenance for each vehicle. We are also in process of ending our contract with a vendor for
vehicle GPS tracking and finding a different vendor who would offer a better service. Due to cost saving,
efficiencies gained and improved communications we are garnering support from all departments of the county
who operate county vehicles. Our efficient delivery of service is resulting in support of elected officials and our
citizens.
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