NAVFAC Issues Public Works Department Management Guide to Enhance 'Front Lines of Service'

The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) issued its enterprise-wide Public Works Department (PWD) Management Guide in May, introducing a reference tool for all Navy PWDs at Navy installations worldwide.

The management guide provides practical advice for PWD leaders, details on critical issues, and references for finding additional information regarding PWD structure and operations as well as identifying reach-back support and resources from the NAVFAC chain of command.

“This is a long-awaited tool for public works management,” said Rear Adm. John Korka, NAVFAC commander and chief of Civil Engineers. “It's a resource for everyone in the PWD on how we can work together to achieve strategic imperatives.”

"All NAVFAC commands are focused on ensuring the success of our units: mainly our PWDs, along with Marine Corps facilities engineering and acquisition divisions, and resident officers in charge of construction," added Korka. "These units of action are at the front lines of service to our supported commands. It is the responsibility of every NAVFAC teammate to provide support and reach-back expertise to these units of action, ensuring we are rapidly learning and advancing ideas that improve service."

PWDs are NAVFAC's units of action that provide integrated facilities engineering and environmental support for Navy shore operations at the installation level. Their wide-ranging responsibilities include everything necessary to operate and maintain the Navy's 71 installations and more than 100 Naval Operational Support Centers worldwide, including real estate management, infrastructure planning, construction, maintenance, environmental and cultural resources management, energy programs, utilities, and transportation.

The PWD Management Guide is divided into five major sections: NAVFAC Organization and Roles, PWD Functions, Workload Management and Project Execution, Other Services, and Self Assessments. It will be a primary instruction manual for all PW classes taught at the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps Officers’ School, as well an online reference for Navy installation commanding officers interested in learning more about the operation of their respective PWD.

“A significant effort was made to develop this comprehensive online guide that equips our public works department workforce for maximum effectiveness and efficiency,” said Peter Lynch, assistant commander for Public Works at NAVFAC headquarters. “Its unique format will allow NAVFAC to keep it current in real time as PWD functions continuously evolve to support multiple Navy installation missions.”