Bobby Vincent Jr. has just removed the word interim from his title.

He is now director of public works for the City of Richmond.

He takes over with the goal of improving services to residents, who have given the cash-strapped department low ratings on filling potholes, mowing grass on city property and in parks and handling other basic services.

His appointment comes as the department embarks on a major project to upgrade 1,300 city alleys.

“It’s an honor,” Mr. Vincent said after Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced the appointment, effective June 8. “I am looking forward to taking on key areas that need improvement.”

He had served as interim director since early February, when the previous director, Emmanuel Adediran, was fired. Mr. Adediran is now the director of public works for the City of Petersburg.

Mr. Vincent’s salary has increased. He was making $119,000 a year as deputy director of the department and was bumped to $132,000 a year as interim director, the same pay that Mr. Adediran was receiving before he was dismissed. Mr. Vincent’s promotion to director was accompanied with an $8,000 raise to a $140,000 annual salary, according to city spokesman Jim Nolan.

Mr. Vincent has 25 years of experience with the city. He started in an engineer position in 1992 with the Department of Public Utilities, and spent the next 14 years planning and managing preventive maintenance and capital improvement projects involving the city water and sewage treatment plans and the combined sewer system.

He later switched to public works, where he held various management posts, including operations manager for roadway maintenance, interim director of general services and chief of construction and inspections.

He was later promoted to deputy director of operations, where he managed everything from refuse collection to grass mowing, pothole repair and street cleaning and paving. He also oversaw the Urban Forestry Division, which plants and maintains trees in city parks and on city rights of way. — JEREMY M. LAZARUS