YERINGTON - Hired as Lyon County's first public works director and engineer, Dan O'Brien is moving on.
O'Brien, former Carson City director of public works, will assume the position of Public Works Board manager for the state of Nevada on Nov. 13. His resignation from his Lyon County position will become effective Nov. 10, almost two years to the day he was hired.
"I have been very happy and enjoyed my position with Lyon County. I found it to be very rewarding and satisfying, but the state position would be a career advancement."
O'Brien noted he is most proud of his part in improving his department's credibility and communication with the public, the board and the employees.
"Getting to this point was a team effort, I just provided the environment for it all to come together," he said. "We would not have been able to implement the beginning of the improvements that we have without working as a team. Communication is the key."
He intends to promote the same philosophy in his new position with the state.
"We do projects for different agencies; they are our clients. I will work to improve communication between our board and the Legislature, the different agencies and the employees. Customer service has always been a top priority."
He said he applied for the state position five and a half years ago but was not chosen at that time. When it became available again he was still interested and submitted an application.
"I gave a month's notice to give me enough time to complete certain projects and allow for the transfer of responsibility to others on the staff," O'Brien said. "I currently have a few architectural projects, the Yerington and Fernley senior centers, that I am offering my continued assistance with after I leave in order to get them completed and ready for construction."
O'Brien is a licensed civil engineer in Nevada and California. He is also a Nevada water rights surveyor and International Conference of Building Officials certified plans examiner. He previously served seven years as Carson City public works director, seven years as city engineer for Fallon and two and a half years as senior plans examiner for the Reno Building Department.
Lyon County Manager Stephen Snyder said, "A wonderful opportunity opened up for Dan and I support anyone wanting to better themselves. He did a good job for the county and is leaving in good standing."
O'Brien said he hopes the county fills the position as quickly as possible.
"We don't want to lose the momentum we have. The biggest challenge to my successor will be to keep the communication lines open. I hope he or she will have the same mindset and values we have promoted. I think the employees are hoping for that, too."
Snyder said the vacancy would be advertised after department heads and commissioners have an opportunity to review the job description to see if any changes are needed. The division managers will report to Snyder until the position is filled.
As part of a reorganization of county departments, commissioners created the position of Public Works director and county engineer in September 1998.
