Page 119 - SAC - DPW - AMB 09 05 19
P. 119

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.




























         SAC | DPW                                                                                           119
   114   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124