Houston City Council is asked to amend Chapter 2, section 277 of the Code of Ordinances to broaden the requirements for the executive officer of the Houston Public Works Department.
In order to diversify the leadership experiences required, attract more diverse backgrounds, exemplify the value of innovative leadership, and to garner a wider range of eligible applicants, Council is asked to approve the below changes to the requirements for Director of Houston Public Works…
Sec. 2-277. Office of director.
(a) There is hereby created the office of Director of Houston Public Works. The director shall be the executive officer of the department and shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. The director shall be either:
(1) Be a professional engineer, registered as such in Texas, and shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council;
(2) Have at least five years of full-time experience in an executive position in public service administration or business administration with accountability for management of complex business or service line performance and growth; or
(3) Have an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience sufficient to provide leadership and perform the duties of the office.
(b) The director shall have all the powers and shall exercise all the duties conferred upon the department stated in section 2-278 of this Code, except that if the director is not a professional engineer registered as such in Texas, any duties that devolve upon the director that are required to be performed by a professional engineer shall be performed by the city engineer.
Council approval is recommended.
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Arturo Michel
City Attorney