Daniel Ruiz
Saint Paul,MN
Summary
Professional with comprehensive experience in public works management, adept at strategic planning and infrastructure development. Strong focus on team collaboration and delivering results, adaptable to changing needs. Skilled in project management, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and public relations. Known for reliability, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations & Maintenance Department Director
City of Brooklyn Park
01.2013 - 06.2025
- In my role as Operations and Maintenance (Public Works) Director for the City of Brooklyn Park I was responsible for the direction, management, and leadership of 86 full time staff including a team of five division managers (Engineering, Public Utilities, Street-Fleet Maintenance, Park-Building Maintenance, Support Services) covering engineering, street maintenance, snow and ice control, park maintenance, recreation support, forestry, building maintenance, fleet maintenance, storm water, street lights, street signals, water production/treatment/distribution, sanitary sewer maintenance, and recycling services. These programs require an annual operating budget of $48 million. I also develop our Capital Improvement Plan and Capital Equipment Plan budgets of $100 million in 2025.
- List of duties, responsibilities, knowledge and skills:
- Lead, manage, and direct department operations to achieve department goals and objectives
- Develop and manage the department’s annual budget, including preparation, administration, and coordination
- Lead and direct department staff, including selection, training, motivation, and performance evaluation
- Develop and implement departmental action plans and strategies, including short and long-range plans
- Actively develop cultural competence and a personal commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion principles
- Participate in city council, commission, committee, other public agencies, neighborhood/business groups, civic organizations, and other meetings
- Identify department vision, mission, goals, and objectives
- Develop department/division budgets, policies and procedures
- Execute strategic initiatives that further the Department’s mission and goals of the City Council
- Gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports, and recommendations
- Monitor inter-governmental decisions and legislative initiatives affecting department operations and take appropriate action
- Knowledge of structure, function, operations, programs, and services of a Public Works
- Knowledge of leading best practices and effective management principles and practices
- Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of consensus building, conflict resolution, negotiation, and team-oriented management
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and regulations
- Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity and understanding in the course of work duties
- Ability to build cohesive work teams and foster teamwork to achieve solutions to complex community-wide issues
- Ability to develop strategic positions and programs to implement and achieve objectives
- Ability to use project management tools to effectively deliver public services
- Ability to use performance measurement techniques to measure the quality of public services
- Embrace and engage a work culture focused on continuous improvement
- Ability to interact, develop, and maintain positive and professional working relationships at all organizational levels, internally and externally
- Ability to clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with an emphasis on effective public speaking and presentation skills
- Ability to professionally and effectively work in a public sector environment, including with commissions, boards, and elected officials.
- Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the City’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity
Support Services/Recycling Div. Manager
City of Brooklyn Park Operations & Maint. Dept.
05.1997 - 01.2013
- Manage all comprehensive waste and recycling programs for the City of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, and New Hope, representing over 145,000 residents with budgets over $3 million
- Implemented the 1st Single Stream recycling program in Minnesota in 2002
- Develop, budget and implement environmental programs, including new revenue sharing recycling contracts that have saved over $500,000 in 2011.
- Plan and implement special waste collections and drop off collections for electronics, bulky waste, appliances, 24 hr. oil recycling and other Household Hazardous Waste.
- Manage contracts for the disposal of yard waste for 4 cities
- Develop grant projects including a recent recycling improvement grant to a host a MN GreenCorps member
- Manage O&M administration, GIS mapping and technical support staff
- Oversee all Hennepin County and State of MN waste, recycling and regulatory reporting
- Assist the Director in the development of the Capital Improvement and Capital Equipment Plan including working with all City departments to determine their capital needs. The five year plan is over $80 million
- Manage, negotiate and administer contracts for City services
- Perform public speaking such as budget and program presentations to 4 City Councils and citizen groups
- Serve as Staff Liaison to the Brooklyn Park Citizen Long-range Improvement Committee
- Coordinate O&M Department Information Technology, including identifying and implementing software
- Manage trash collection contracts at City facilities
Planning Analyst/Senior Planning Analyst
Hennepin County Environmental Services
07.1997 - 04.2002
- Administered various contracts including the HERC waste-to-energy contract and disposal contracts at County garbage and recycling transfer stations
- Implemented a county wide composting program including compost bin distribution
- Completed foundational work with the City of Wayzata on their citywide organics collection program
- Administered municipal recycling and incentive grant programs of over $3 million annually
- Coordinated department outreach, assistance and environmental services to municipalities
- Analyzed solid waste and recycling trends and developed program recommendations and objectives
Education
Hydrogeology Graduate Program -
Illinois State University
Normal, IL01.1997
BS - Earth Science, BES Geography
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN01.1996
Skills
- Staff development
- Budget development
- Project management
- Financial analysis
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Team leadership
- Operations management
- Strategic planning
Accomplishments
- Achieved 92% employee satisfaction rating of good/great department to work in.
- Resolved street reconstruction financing dilemma through the implementation of Franchise Fees for a pay as you go solution generating $6 million in annual revenue.
- Secured over $40 million in grants, state/federal aid for infrastructure projects over the last 5 years.
Timeline
Operations & Maintenance Department Director
City of Brooklyn Park
01.2013 - 06.2025
Planning Analyst/Senior Planning Analyst
Hennepin County Environmental Services
07.1997 - 04.2002
Support Services/Recycling Div. Manager
City of Brooklyn Park Operations & Maint. Dept.
05.1997 - 01.2013
BS - Earth Science, BES Geography
St. Cloud State University
Hydrogeology Graduate Program -
Illinois State University