Deputy Director of Public Works – Operations

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Public Works Deputy Director for the Operations Working Group provides strategic leadership and oversight of the department's operations and maintenance functions, including Operations Maintenance Divisions 1 (West), 2 (Central), and 3 (East). The position assists the Public Works Director with department-wide management and ensures assigned programs and services align with County priorities, policies, regulatory requirements, and available resources.

The Deputy Director oversees managers responsible for the maintenance and operation of the County's public right-of-way and transportation infrastructure, as well as critical public safety and emergency response functions, including snow and ice response, traffic incident management, and coordination with the County's Office of Emergency Management.

The position serves as a senior-level liaison with County leadership, other departments, regional partners, professional organizations, emergency response agencies, and external contractors and agencies. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of public sector transportation operations, right-of-way maintenance, traffic operations, and emergency response, along with experience in organizational leadership, employee relations, public sector budgeting, and program administration.

The successful candidate will effectively coordinate with residents, stakeholders, County representatives, and external partners while maintaining a strategic focus on operational priorities and service delivery.

The hiring range for this role is: $123,102.58 - $141,567.97. The potential full hiring range is: $123,102.58 - $184,653.88.

This posting is scheduled to close on our careers page at 4:30pm Mountain Time on 9/18/2026: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/adams

Examples of Duties for Success

• Assist the Public Works Director with the overall management and administration of the department and provide leadership on department-wide initiatives, priorities, and operational objectives.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the Operations Working Group, including right-of-way maintenance, roadway and drainage maintenance, pavement maintenance, street sweeping, traffic operations, gravel roads program, snow and ice response, emergency response programs, and other assigned operational functions.
• Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned managers and supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; provide leadership and direction to managers responsible for individual operational divisions and functional areas.
• Establish and communicate organizational goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned operations; evaluate service and staffing needs and recommend strategies that support effective and equitable service delivery.
• Provide guidance and direction on complex operational, personnel, safety, and interdepartmental matters and assist managers in resolving issues that require department-level coordination or decision-making.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the overall work plans of the Operations Working Group. Monitor progress toward operational goals and ensure effective coordination among functional areas.
• Oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of operational service delivery methods, procedures, workload, staffing, equipment, and support systems; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend changes to enhance service delivery.
• Oversee the development and administration of department budgets related to assigned operations, including staffing, equipment, materials, supplies, and capital needs. Evaluate resource requirements, monitor expenditures, and make recommendations regarding operational priorities and funding.
• Provide strategic oversight of emergency and incident response programs, including snow and ice operations, traffic incidents, severe weather events, and other situations requiring coordinated Public Works response.
• Serve as a senior-level liaison for Public Works with the County's Office of Emergency Management, other County departments, regional partners, professional organizations, contractors, community stakeholders, and other external agencies.
• Represent the Public Works Director and department, as assigned, in meetings, presentations, interagency coordination, emergency response planning, and other external engagements.
• Review operational plans, procedures, reports, studies, and other materials related to assigned programs and provide recommendations to support department priorities, regulatory compliance, and effective service delivery.
• Conduct or oversee organizational studies, investigations, and operational analyses; evaluate service delivery methods, organizational structures, procedures, and emerging technologies and recommend modifications as appropriate.
• Prepare and present staff reports, operational updates, recommendations, and other correspondence for the Public Works Director, County leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of ROW maintenance, program development, and administration; organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding Public Works and ROW maintenance.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to Public Works projects and programs.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Computer Skills: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ArcView GIS; ability to learn specialized software systems including JD Edwards, Cartegraph, Accela, and Masterworks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, roads, and drainageways.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Public sector/municipal experience preferred.

Education and Training:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, planning, construction management, public administration, or a related field is required.
• An equivalent combination of experience may substitute the degree on a year-for-year basis.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.