The Community The City of Apple Valley is located in Dakota County in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Money Magazine named Apple Valley the 28th “Best Place to Live” in the nation in 2007. Acclaimed as a great place to live, work and play, residents are proud of their quality neighborhoods and schools, central commercial district, conveniently located business parks, and abundant recreational opportunities. Apple Valley is within easy access of Interstate 35W and Interstate 35E. Cedar Avenue (TH77) connects the area across the Minnesota River to Interstate 494 and Highway 62. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is located within a 15 minute drive. Apple Valley covers 17.5 square miles and is set in a diverse terrain. Hilly and rugged in the north, the area provides a very attractive setting for residential neighborhoods. In the south, the land levels out to a flat plain. Historically the city has been the host of many sand and gravel extraction operations. These areas are rapidly being reclaimed for residential and commercial uses. A thriving community, Apple Valley has experienced an astounding growth in population and development over the last fifteen years. With a population of 50,000, Apple Valley is ranked as the 17th largest community in Minnesota. The median home value is $241,400. Demographically, it is a uniquely young community with a large school age population and a median age of 35. The commercial centerpiece of Apple Valley is the "Ring Route", comprised of numerous retail shopping centers and a coordinated streetscape. A sidewalk system allows for easy pedestrian access to the area. Central Village is a relatively new 70-acre development located in the southeast quadrant of the downtown which is approved for 1,350 housing units, 450,000 square feet of commercial/office/retail space, and 12 acres of parkland in a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented development. Another exciting development underway in the community is Cobblestone Lake, a 320-acre development located in the southeast corner of the community. This neo-traditional development includes a mix of single family, townhouse, apartment and commercial uses. In the center of the development is a 40-acre central lake, surrounded by 30 acres of parkland. Cedar Avenue (County Road 23/State Trunk Highway 77) has been identified as a regional transitway by the Metropolitan Council. Dakota County intends to upgrade this roadway and implement Bus Rapid Transit along the corridor in the next few years. The City places a high priority on water quality and is actively involved in many surface water management efforts related to area lakes, ponds and streams. Education/Health Care Six elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools serve area students. Apple Valley High School and Eastview High School are nationally recognized comprehensive high schools. The School of Environmental Studies was recognized as a New American High School, one of the top 13 high schools in the United States. The primary school district is Independent School District #196. Independent School District #191 provides for students in the northwest corner of the city. The Galaxie Library provides full library services for all area residents and the Community Education program provides a variety of youth and adult programs beyond normal school hours. Higher education opportunities are provided at the Partners in Higher Education facility which offers degree programs from St. Mary’s University, Dakota County Technical College, and Inver Hills Community College. Apple Valley residents have access to three major clinics, emergency services, a number of dentists, and other health care professionals conveniently located throughout the community. A major hospital is located minutes from downtown Apple Valley. Recreation The City of Apple Valley boasts four lakes and over 823 acres of parkland in 50 locations. Over 100 ballfields, 58 miles of trails, playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, picnic facilities, outdoor skating rinks, and athletic fields are found throughout the various parks. The city has several very active athletic associations providing youth programs for football, soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, lacrosse, wrestling, and hockey. Recreational facilities include the Redwood Community Center, Johnny Cake Ridge Park Athletic Complex, Apple Valley Senior Center, Teen Center, Apple Valley Aquatic Center, and the 18-hole Valleywood golf course. The Johnny Cake Ridge Complex was developed in conjunction with the School District next to Eastview High School and received the Cooperative Public Service Award from the State of Minnesota. The Hayes Park arena is owned by the city and the Apple Valley Sports Arena is jointly owned and operated by the city and School District 196. Both indoor arenas host school district skating activities. A municipal swimming pool has a capacity for 1,200 patrons. The city hosts several community events including Mid-Winter Fest, Freedom Days Celebration, and Ring-Around-The-Arts featuring performing and visual arts. One of the most prominent recreational facilities in Apple Valley is the 450-acre Minnesota Zoological Gardens, ranked among the nation's best year-round zoos. The Minnesota Zoo features 2,700 creatures in natural habitat exhibits, a dolphin pool, shark tank, and a 600-seat IMAX Theater. The 2,000-acre Lebanon Hills Regional Park, partially located in Apple Valley, provides hiking horseback trails, camping, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. The Organization The City of Apple Valley is a statutory city with a Mayor and four City Councilmembers elected at-large to alternating four-year terms. The professional staff is headed by the City Administrator and a talented management team which includes the Assistant City Administrator, City Clerk, Finance Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Community Development Director, Human Resources Manager and Liquor Operations Director. Consultants are utilized for legal and engineering services. The city employs 181 full-time employees. The 2008 city budget is approximately $45 million. The Public Works Department The Public Works Department’s seven divisions unite to protect and maintain the infrastructure and provide quality services to the residents of Apple Valley. The Department employs 50 full-time workers. The Public Works Maintenance Department budget for 2008 is $17.7 million and the Engineering Budget is $1.8 million Public Works Administration Division -- Administers and coordinates the divisions to protect and maintain the infrastructure and provide quality services to the residents of Apple Valley. Engineering Division – Designs and inspects infrastructure, oversees the Street Maintenance Program, inspects public projects within new developments for erosion and sediment control and compliance with the Natural Resource Management Plan, manages storm water retention and infiltration, and protects marshes and ponds. Streets/Cemetery Maintenance Division – Maintains the vehicular transportation system, the downtown Ring Route and the public sidewalk and pathway system. Responsible for streets, traffic signage, boulevard trees, 150 stormwater holding ponds and maintenance of the Lebanon Cemetery grounds. The city has 171 centerline miles of streets Fleet/Buildings and Grounds Division – Oversees maintenance and safety inspections of 200 pieces of equipment and vehicles, buildings and grounds at the Central Maintenance Facility and the Municipal Center Utilities Division – Provides a safe potable water supply and stormwater and wastewater collection systems. The Water Treatment Plant, wells, water reservoirs, sanitary and critical storm lift stations are electronically monitored. Monitors the water levels of the City’s four lakes and maintains storm water lift stations. Inventory includes: 19 wells, 4 reservoirs, 1 tower, 12 million gallon design capacity water treatment plant, 9 sanitary and 10 storm lift stations and 15,000 water meters that are read monthly. Natural Resources – Forestry preserves trees and forested areas on existing and new development sites. Water resources provides a program to monitor area wetlands, community–wide water resource education, and lake management plans. The division also oversees erosion and sediment control and compliance with Natural Resources Management Plans. The division partners with the Metropolitan Council and area lake residents to monitor water quality through the Citizen Assisted Lake Monitoring Program. Building Inspections Division – Reviews proposed building plans to ensure code conformance and inspects residential and commercial properties for compliance with the State Building Code which includes the International Building Code and the International Residential Code. Organizational Structure  The Position The Public Works Director is a department head level position reporting to the City Administrator with accountability and reporting access to the City Council. Specific duties include: • Manage all operations of the Public Works Department, determine program priorities and facilitate cooperation among the divisions. • Develop long range programs for the maintenance of streets, sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer systems. • Provide recommendations to the City Administrator and City Council for the maintenance or replacement of streets, sanitary sewer, water and storm systems and other public works facilities based on economic and performance factors. • Develop policies and procedures for the Public Works Department. • Prepare and recommend the operating budget for all functions within the Department to the City Administrator. • Work with maintenance superintendents to plan maintenance activities for the streets, utilities and central maintenance departments. Establish procedures to ensure that appropriate actions are taken in directing repairs during emergency situations. • Coordinate the public works engineering needs with Consulting Engineers and may recommend engineering projects to the Administrator/Council. • Work closely with various advisory committees, such as the Planning Commission, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, the Cemetery Committee, and others. Background and Experience Qualified candidates for the Public Works Director will possess a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in planning, engineering or related field plus a minimum of eight years progressively responsible experience in public works, planning or engineering. Specific qualifications include: • Knowledge and experience in all phases of public works for a municipality or government agency. • Understanding of engineering principles and techniques. • Knowledge of water, sewer, and stormwater utilities. • Experience working with regulatory agencies, i.e. Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Department of Natural Resources. • Knowledge of traffic management and use of various transportation modes, including transit. • Supervisory experience and background in union activities, staff performance evaluation and staff development. • Knowledge of Capital Improvement Planning including equipment replacement planning. • Experience in working with developers. Management Capabilities • Establish harmonious working relationships with diverse groups of individuals. • Work in partnership with the county and adjacent cities on regional issues. • Work effectively with other department heads. • Make decisions after using an inclusive process to gather input. • Be aware of politics without being politically motivated. • Appropriately acknowledge staff accomplishments and capabilities. • Be consistent in requirement of accountability for all staff. • Regularly visit with all divisions. • Be creative and innovative with problem solving and design. • Be accessible to citizens and be customer service oriented. • Be comfortable in making public presentations. Departmental Priorities and Goals • Develop an annual street maintenance program. • Develop a viable Capital Improvement Plan with accompanying financing. • Evaluate current technology and make appropriate upgrades, specifically for a work order system. • Examine expansion of storage facilities. • Work with the county and engineers on the Cedar Avenue street project, including the location and construction of Bus Rapid Transit facilities on Cedar Avenue. • Deal with storm water issues including water quality, flooding, pond levels, pollution, and pond maintenance. • Consider fiber optic installation as part of public projects. • Evaluate infrastructure and with an eye to potential reconstruction, maintenance and funding. • Oversee Joint Powers Agreement with the Watershed District regarding drainage and water quality. • Effectively manage contracts related to telecommunication users on City-owned towers and facilities. Announcement Public Works Director; City of Apple Valley, MN (pop. 50,000). Starting salary mid $90s to low $100s. A thriving Twin Cities metro community named Money Magazine’s 28th “Best Place to Live” in the nation in 2007, Apple Valley has experienced significant growth in population and development over the last fifteen years. The Position is responsible for 50 full-time employees in the Divisions of Public Works Administration, Engineering, Fleet/Buildings and Grounds, Streets/Cemetery Maintenance, Utilities, Natural Resources, and Building Inspections. The Public Works Maintenance Department budget for 2008 is $17.7 million and the Engineering Budget is $1.8 million. Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in planning, engineering or related field plus a minimum of eight years progressively responsible experience in public works, planning or engineering. Background in all phases of public works for a municipality or government agency including water, sewer, and stormwater utilities, traffic and transportation issues is desired. Position Profile available. Send or e-mail resume by 4/28/08 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; Fifty South 9th Avenue., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102. e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com For more information about the City of Apple Valley, please visit: www.cityofapplevalley.org Timetable 4/28/08 Deadline for Application 5/20/08 Present Candidates/Select Finalists Week of June 2nd Interviews/Selection July 2008 Start Date |
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