Public Works

Public works managers function within the structure of both state and local government. This program describes the historical development of counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts in New Jersey. Attention is devoted to local governmental functions, the realities of working in a political environment, and the relationships within a two-party system.

Public works departments must maintain accountability within their operations and community. Topics include monitoring and recording daily work activities, establishing performance standards, and reviewing important formulas and calculations to document performance.

This introductory management seminar examines the role of a public works manager. The seminar is based on systematic approaches to individual, group, and organizational performance relative to planning, leadership, personnel performance, and decision-making skills development.

Public works environments affect human resource management because low pay, poor working conditions, and low social status inhibit worker performance. Human resources are vital to the quality of public works operation, yet little time or money is spent in this regard. Personnel work problems, effective supervision, labor relations, safety in the workplace, career development, and human resource planning are presented in this course.

This course focuses on public works finance. A large portion of the municipal budget is devoted to public works. Municipal finance relates to the municipal budget process as well as the public works budgetary system. Participants gain a better understanding of the entire municipal budget process through this program.

The Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:44d-1 et seq.) is reviewed in this course as part of the municipal planning process. Subdivisions, site plans, development ordinances, and municipal master plans are discussed as applicable to the public works function.

Public works performance is directly affected by the resources available to management. In this course, operational procedures are discussed relative to increasing efficiency through effective planning, evaluation of performance objectives, and inventory development. The technology of public works operations will be addressed in the areas of road maintenance, snow removal, leaves/recycling, parks, buildings and grounds maintenance, sewers, water, and fleet maintenance.

The public works profession requires managers to act as public relations representatives. An awareness of public relations roles, and effective means of implementing public relations programs are addressed in this seminar.

Public works purchasing involves large sums of taxpayers' dollars. Therefore, purchasing practices must be effective within the public works department. Standardized procedures can promote effective communications between public works and purchasing departments. In this course, the public works purchasing function is reviewed relative to public contract laws, cooperative purchasing procedures, change order regulations, and the certification of funds.

This optional three-day review course prepares students for the CPWM exam administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The course covers topics from each of the nine CPWM courses and is scheduled before the state exam each semester.