Director of Public Works Jim Sterling has retired after 37-and-a-half years as an essential part of the City of Greenbelt. During that time, he has played many roles and applied his expertise in myriad ways especially in the areas of construction, planning and code enforcement. Sterling characterized his career as “a good ride” and was grateful for the “good opportunities” that came his way and the many relationships he developed through his efforts.
Sterling began his career in 1982 as a summer help worker earning $3.37 per hour. In 1984, he returned full-time as a street crew and maintenance worker for the Public Works Department. City Manager Jim Giese offered Sterling a job in administration in 1990 with the position of construction inspector, the city’s first, and a duty Sterling retained to 2021. In 1993, Sterling joined the Planning and Community Development Department, first as a supervisory inspector and then as the assistant community development director until 2011. In 2011, he returned to Public Works as assistant director, where in 2014, he became acting director and then director to the present day.
Some of the biggest projects he was part of were the making of Schrom Hills Park, the construction of the fitness wing at the Aquatic & Fitness Center, the skatepark, two renovations of the Old Greenbelt Theatre and his first project, the Centerway reconstruction. Along the way, there was a long list of smaller projects, most of which involved the city’s right of way, including road and storm drain maintenance.
Growing Capabilities
The city provided constant educational opportunities to Sterling, helping him keep abreast of the ongoing changes in code inspection through licensing and certifications, many acquired at the University of Maryland and Prince George’s Community College. It allowed him to become familiar with all aspects of building. He was ranked as #66 in the nation as a master code inspector.
City Challenges
When asked what challenges lay ahead for the city moving forward, Sterling cited: the need to hire and retain skilled personnel and to make sure they are properly compensated (which the city is addressing with a compensation study), and to invest sufficiently in the city’s infrastructure. With additions to the city like Greenbelt Station and the needs of the city’s road system, this latter challenge has become more pronounced. Sterling has hopes that the upcoming funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will aid in this effort.
Council Praise
Sterling enjoys high praise from city council. Mayor Emmett Jordan remarked on his “substantial contributions” to the city, how “his wide-ranging skill set and long experience benefited Greenbelters in many ways,” and “his low-key practical approach to managing difficult situations.” Councilmember Judith Davis remarked on his “knowledgeable advice and leadership skills,” extolling his “loyalty to the city and its residents and his quiet, calm demeanor when dealing with others.” She said that “it will take several people to fill his shoes.” Councilmember Ric Gordon declared him “one of the many staples here in Greenbelt city government,” and while he “will be missed greatly,” he “deserves this well-earned retirement.”
Recreation Department Director Greg Varda said that in his 23 years working with Sterling, “it became quite evident that Jim truly enjoyed serving the Greenbelt community. Through his knowledge and support, the Recreation Department has been able to enrich the community through the many programs, services, facilities and parks that are provided. Jim has always been a team player who could be called upon to handle tough situations without hesitation. His dedication superseded ‘doing a good job.’” He thanked him for “making Greenbelt a better place to live, work and play now and well into the future.” Varda expressed to Sterling: “You will be missed.”
What’s Ahead
A Bowie resident, Sterling plans to stay in the area and looks forward to having time for doing some home renovations, to travel a bit and spend more time with his grandchildren. Said Sterling, in retrospect, “I was lucky to be at the right time at the right place.”