HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. Interviews for City EngineerPublic Works Director / City Engineer Recruitment
Council Interview
September 27, 2000
1. Describe the most challenging situation that you have faced in your public works/
engineering career?
2. What is the most sensitive community issue you have handled?
3. What is your vision of a successful Public Works Department?
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4. Give me an example of a time when your leadership skills made an engineering- related
project succeed.
5. What is your greatest strength? Biggest weakness?
6. What do you perceive to be the most important duties of a Public Works Director?
7. Describe how your experience qualifies you to be the Director of Public Works at the City of
Rosemount.
8. How would you characterize your management style i.e. controlling, nurturing, etc?
9. Describe the organizational chart of your current organization, where you fit in and your four
primary work responsibilities.
10. Tell us about the most challenging oral presentation you have had to make to the Planning
Commission and/or City Council.
11. Describe efforts that you take to exhibit positive customer relations during public
improvement projects. Please give examples.
• What is your idea of an appropriate image for the department?
• How do you deal with unruly resident?
• What are the most important aspects of good public works service?
12. How important is project inspection for City streets and utilities and for private development
of commercial properties?
13. Describe your technical background. How much technical involvement do you believe a
Public Works Director/ City Engineer should have?
14. Explain your decision- making style. How would you deal with a difficult (political)
decision?
15. How much experience do you have overseeing street, sewer, water, and vehicle maintenance
divisions? How do you propose to manage public works?
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16. Tell me your experience in each of the following supervisory areas:
• Hiring full -time employees
• Counseling employees
• Preparing or revising job descriptions
• Disciplining employees
• Adjusting grievances
• Rewarding employees
• Consultant management
17. How much project management have you done? What is the biggest problem with project
administration you have experienced?
18. Describe your experience in CIP financing. Operating Budgets. Municipal State Aid.
19. If I asked your employees about your leadership /personality /abilities, how would they
describe you?
20. What do you hope to gain from this position? What are your long -term aspirations?
21. What experience do you have in subcontracting engineering work (i.e. design, project
inspection, other)?
22. How do you handle change orders?
23. What is your experience with developers and residential development?
24. What type of environment do you work best in?
25. How much support do you need from administration?
26. What types of decisions do you feel require council action? What decisions should the
Public Works Director be able to make?
27. Explain your approach to long -term planning.
28. How much involvement do you have with professional organizations?
29. How do you handle conflict and dispute resolution?