Public Works Director

Under the direction of the City Manager and in close collaboration with the City Council and the existing Management Team, the Director of Public Works will coordinate, plan, and direct all aspects of the Public Works Department. This includes Fleet Maintenance, Cemetery Maintenance, Parks and Recreation Maintenance, Streets Maintenance, Storm Water Collection, Water Distribution System, Sewer Collection System, Utility Plant Maintenance, Solid Waste Management, Water Treatment Plant, and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Duties include:

• Designing and implementing policies
• Administering the policies of the City Manager and the City Council
• Directing business and administrative procedures
• Managing the departmental budget and capital improvements.

The Public Works Department has a total operating budget of $13 million in FY 2025-2026, across four funds: General, Parks and Recreation, Enterprise, and Internal Services.

The Public Works Department is supported by 75 full-time employees, including one administrative assistant. The average tenure of these employees is nearly eight years, indicating a high level of longevity and commitment to the organization. There are four superintendents, five supervisors, and ten crew leaders who manage the day-to-day operations across the 13 divisions. Continuing employee engagement and development are essential, as is ongoing recruitment, retention, and appropriate succession planning for key positions.

Qualities of the successful candidate:

• Proponent of open and transparent government; proactively seeking opportunities to communicate in multiple forums and encouraging resident participation and input.
• Possesses significant knowledge of water and wastewater utility systems, including breadth of knowledge regarding regulatory compliance, permitting, emerging pollutants, environmental issues, and best practices.
• Knowledgeable regarding municipal engineering services, street maintenance, water and sewer transmission infrastructure, solid waste services, and fleet maintenance operations.
• Adept at developing and preserving relationships with diverse stakeholders and skilled at diplomatically engaging with individual customers, community groups, the City Manager and City Council, employees, business leaders, and regional, state, and federal authorities to leverage City opportunities while mitigating challenges.
• Advocate for the needs of the employees and facilities in the Public Works Department while working within finite fiscal resources.
• Understands the role of public works in the overall economic development and quality of life for the region.
• Collaborative and consistent leader of subordinate personnel who demonstrates a commitment to involving employees in the decision-making process.
• Committed to keeping the City Manager and the City Council informed on pending and emerging issues.
• Creative thinker in assessing ways to manage expenses and generate revenue while working to control costs and maintain competitive rates and fees for services.
• Excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, who possesses extremely well-developed interpersonal skills and abilities.
• Demonstrates successes in employee recruitment and retention.
• Accountable with high expectations of self and others.
• Successfully negotiates, implements, and manages contracts with outside engineering and technical specialists.
• Technologically savvy.
• Active and visible in the community through both civic volunteerism and participation in public events.
• Accessible to members of the public.