] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION

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Director, Division of Planning, Design, and Construction

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Director I CODE: 0330 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Director, Division of Planning, Design, and Construction GRADE: P MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the Office of Facilities Management, provides leadership, direction, and oversight for the division in order to effectively and efficiently carry out the organizational mission and functions of the school systems planning, architectural design and construction activities of all school buildings, additions or modifications to ensure timely completions. The director will inform and prepare decision makers and the community of changes in capital programming, student enrollment, and instructional programs through development of high quality data analysis, planning strategies, and long-range facility plans. Activities overseen by the director include the preparation, completion, and implementation of the local annual capital budget, associated six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and the state CIP; enrollment projections and demographic analyses of the student population; facility and capital budget recommendations to be incorporated in the CIP and Educational Facilities Master Plan; school educational specifications and facility planning studies for capital projects; collaboration with county planning agencies on the growth policy, master plans and new housing development; designation of future school sites in land use plans; community involvement processes focused on accommodating student enrollment increases and program initiatives; provision of accurate school assignment information online and in maps; and, maintenance and upgrades of the division planning database and geographic information system (GIS). The director develops and implements the appropriate financial record regarding facilities and construction activities; ensures the operational efficiency of the division by developing efficient processes, targets, and performance measures to assess results; and demonstrates leadership in the districts commitment to equity and excellence for staff and students.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of the latest building technologies, trends in industry, and of the construction trades. Ability to evaluate concept plan for school designs and manage the facility planning, design, and construction cycle from inception of project to acceptance of completed project. Knowledge of the MCPS Capital Improvements Program, Maryland State School Construction Program and agencies involved in building construction and review activities. Ability to work with personnel in the construction trades and excellent communications and human relations skills. Ability to negotiate details of complex professional service and construction contracts. Ability to facilitate and present capital projects in public forums. Ability to work effectively with elected officials, county agency staff, and community members. Strong skills in oral and written communication, with ability to make complex, and sometimes contentious matters understandable. Ability to present information in a calm and rationale manner, frequently in the context of highly politicized debate.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Master's degree preferred with a specialization in planning, public administration, or facility management. Course work should include general school administration, public administration, school facilities planning and architecture, and civil or mechanical engineering. Five years or more of management experience in school construction activities, capital projects management or school facilities. Other combinations of applicable education, training, and progressive management experience which provide the knowledge, abilities and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) Ability to attend evening meetings and work overtime, as needed.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Note: (Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or ability associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the core job elements.)

1. Manage a team of employees, supervising their daily work, evaluating their performances, monitoring performance measurements, and providing leadership, direction, and oversight for the division in order to effectively and efficiently carry out the organizational mission and functions of the school systems planning, design, and construction activities.
2. Responsible for managing all aspects of school construction projecting including new schools, addition, and modification.
3. Manages/coordinates countywide capital projects (i.e., HVAC, Safe Access to School, Relocatable Classrooms, ADA) to ensure successful completion of projects.
4. Communicates effectively with involved stakeholders (i.e. principals, teachers, students, parents, community members, governmental agencies, consultants, and etc.) throughout duration of projects and establish positive relationships.
5. Directs the selection process of architectural and consulting services and the development of the requirements of preliminary architectural plans.
6. Responsible for Board appointment of architects/consultants and administers their contracts.
7. Presents preliminary plans to the Board, reviews architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings through their development into final contract drawings to ensure that all owner requirements have been provided and that all codes applicable to the project, as well as accepted construction practices, have been met.
8. Directs liaison between the project architect and various division personnel during the construction phase of all approved capital projects to ensure timely completion.
9. Maintains complete and close authority over all architects, engineers and general contractors in order to assure compliance with contract requirements and satisfactory construction progress preparatory to achieving the desired finished product.
10. Reviews and monitors current architectural planning and general bidding construction schedules for each individual project to ensure compliance with standards, regulations, and codes.
11. Responsible for obtaining necessary permits and bidding capital projects on time to ensure timely completion of projects.
12. Maintains a current knowledge and record of school costs as they relate to local and national labor and material trends and fluctuations in order to prepare and justify estimates of cost for projected new facilities.
13. Reviews, daily and monthly, all inspection reports, mandatory professional analysis of concrete, steel, and other materials as are required.
14. Initiates change orders to the general contract, often determining reasonableness of cost, validity, necessity, quantities, and eventual benefit to the finished product.
15. Understands construction laws and regulations and mitigates claims related to administering contracts.
16. Administers purchase of movable furniture and equipment funded through the capital budget.
17. Serves as liaison between county government staff and the Office of Facilities Management staff in matters relating to the planning, design and construction of all facilities in the CIP.
18. Develops supporting data, such as cost estimates based on stated requirements and related scope for each construction project to be included in the CIP recommendation.
19. Oversees school enrollment forecasting, conducted in close coordination with principals, program staff, and budget staff.
20. Facilitates the CIP review process with the superintendent of schools in preparation of facility recommendations for the Board of Education.
21. Presents demographic trend information to the superintendent of schools, Board of Education, and other elected officials and county agencies staff.
22. Represents the superintendent in communicating capital planning priorities to school system individuals, community groups, other government entities, and the press through formal presentations, informal discussions, and in written forms.
23. Oversees the collaboration with county planners in development of master plans, enrollment trends, the impact of plan scenarios on school enrollments, and future school sites.
24. Oversees the collaboration with county planners in the development of county Subdivision Staging Policy and the school test that coordinates preliminary plan approvals with facility adequacy.
25. Oversees, and ensure the accuracy, of school boundaries, and the dissemination of boundary information in map form, online through a web based application, and by a dedicated phone-in service.
26. Participates in school system strategic planning and Baldrige continuous improvement activities. Serve on a variety of planning and project teams.
27. Serves on a variety of planning and project teams.
28. Understands and applies the six leadership standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA) Professional Growth System (PGS).
29. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.
Class Established: 7/2024
Date(s) Revised:
Last Reviewed:

This description may be changed at any time.