Richmond's top administrator announced major changes yesterday in human services, public works and operations in city government.

Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian named a new deputy administrator for human services, replacing Saphira Baker with Social Services Director Paul McWhinney.

Hill-Christian also announced the appointment of a new director of the city's troubled Department of Public Works, Dexter White. Interim Director Rosemary Green will return to her job as deputy director of public utilities.

Green's boss, Public Utilities Director Chris Beschler, has been made deputy chief administrative officer for operations in addition to his current duties.

Finally, the city announced that David Avery has retired as director of juvenile-justice services, and Doris Moseley has been made acting director.

The changes were announced in a series of news releases late yesterday by the administration of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder. McWhinney and Beschler will assume roles as deputies to Hill-Christian while continuing their jobs as directors of two of the city's biggest agencies.

White was the former director of public works in College Park, Ga., and Macon, Ga. He takes over a department under pressure from critical audits and a proposed reorganization that will spin off major responsibilities, such as management of city buildings and vehicles, to a new Department of General Services. -- Michael Martz and John Reid Blackwell