• Provide vision and direction to approximately 550 employees.
• Direct and supervise day-to-day critical operations necessary for the basic function of the City, including street maintenance and operations, snow management, and all transportation and mobility functions.
• Work closely with the City Manager’s Office and City Council on policy initiatives, including presenting information related to Public Works, and ensure all city policies are adhered to.
• Actively manage a $284M operating budget. Make strategic budget requests to fulfill City expectations, policies and advance the Public Works vision.
• Direct the preparation and execution of the Public Works Capital Improvement Program ($295 M / 5 years)
• Hire, and retain talent at multiple levels within the organization, ensuring a stable workforce, investing in succession planning, employee cultivation, and leadership training. Coach, support and assess managers in achieving organizational and professional improvement goals; identify and implement measures of success and accountability.
• Communicate regularly with staff, policymakers and the public, through in-person meetings, community forums and other venues. Ensure that the Department of Public Works has tools and strategies for obtaining feedback and input from all residents and businesses and ensure the delivery of services.
• Ensure that public works projects are administered in a manner consistent with local, state and federal laws and regulations. Ensure that the infrastructure is well maintained and contributes positively to the health, welfare and prosperity of residents, businesses and visitors.
• Work is performed in both office and field environments.
• The position requires attendance at evening meetings, including council meetings, community meetings, emergency response activities, and special events as needed.
• The Director must be available to respond to urgent operational matters, severe weather events, infrastructure emergencies, and other time-sensitive public works issues outside of normal business hours.

• Good knowledge of public works infrastructure programs, organization, policies and procedures.
• Strategic leadership and systems thinking.
• Public service orientation and resident centered service delivery.
• Collaboration across departments, agencies and community partners.
• Labor-management collaborations and workforce development.
• Fiscal stewardship and resource management.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, collective bargaining agreements, technical standards, and administrative procedures.
• Ability to communicate clearly and credibly with elected officials, executive leadership, employees, labor representatives, residents, media, contractors, developers, and regional partners.
• Ability to manage complex operational, political, financial, regulatory, and community issues with sound judgment and professionalism.
• Strong knowledge of public works administration, municipal infrastructure, transportation systems, capital project delivery, asset management, field operations, and municipal service delivery.
• Knowledge of transportation planning, traffic engineering, transit (bus and streetcar) management, street maintenance, right-of-way management, Vision Zero strategies, construction management, emergency operations, and public infrastructure maintenance.
• Knowledge of public budgeting, procurement, contract administration, capital improvement planning, grant management, and performance management.
• Knowledge of technology and management of major engineering initiatives, especially in an urban environment.
• Knowledge of revenue enhancing opportunities and funding sources in the public works field, including grant funding and other revenue generating efforts, and of the processes and of the laws and regulations which impact public sector public works operations.
• Considerable knowledge of modern management and supervision combined with strong planning and organizing skills.
• Proven ability to manage change in a large, complex organization.
• Ability to lead and manage a diverse work group and establish and maintain a respectful work environment.
• Ability to manage large, multi-faceted budgets.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good creative and analytical skills.
• Excellent intergovernmental relations skills.

REQUIRES

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, engineering, construction management, or transportation planning and 
• Seven (7) years of experience in public works, infrastructure, transportation, engineering, municipal operations, or urban planning experience and
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory/management/executive experience in a midsized to large, complex organization environment, responsibility for budgets, personnel, operations, and strategic planning 
• Or an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience.  
• Ability to pass background check as prescribed by the City 
• Preference given to candidates with 
  • A master’s degree in public administration, business administration, civil engineering, urban planning, transportation planning, or a related field. 
  • Professional Engineer license or other relevant professional certification. 
  • Experience serving in a senior leadership role within a large municipal, county, regional, or state public works, transportation, engineering, or infrastructure organization. 
  • Experience working in a unionized public-sector environment. 
  • Experience managing major capital improvement programs, bond-funded infrastructure programs, transit service contracts, federal or state grants, and large-scale construction projects.
  • Experience with asset management systems, pavement management systems, work order systems, performance dashboards, Vision Zero implementation, and data-informed service delivery.
  • Experience presenting to elected officials, boards, commissions, neighborhood groups, media, and community stakeholders.

Deadline: July 20, 2026