Public Works Director

Position Objective

Essential Functions

• Direct and manage all departmental divisions, including Fleet, Streets & Sidewalks, Grounds, Stormwater, Solid Waste, contractors, and related personnel.
• Plan, organize, and direct activities across assigned divisions.
• Evaluate operational and organizational needs; prepare and deliver presentations and recommendations to City leadership.
• Hire, train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate staff; manage employee development and disciplinary actions.
• Maintain effective and positive communications with employees and union groups.
• Cultivate and maintain effective and responsive communications with regulatory agencies, advisory boards, residents, and City departments.
• Conduct routine inspections to ensure work meets safety, quality, and performance standards.
• Implement and enforce safety practices and regulatory compliance across all facilities and operations.
• Conduct routine field inspections to assess performance, identify deficiencies, and verify adherence to regulatory standards.
• Develop, present, and monitor operating and maintenance budgets.
• Maintain regular communications with City Manager and City departments as needed.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and/or present information to leadership or City Council as required.
• Balance reactive activities based on City Council and resident needs with proactive planning of duties.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation within the department.
• Mentor and develop staff to build technical expertise, leadership capacity, and succession planning.
• Promote safety, compliance, and professional standards across all operations.
• Evaluate growth trends, regulatory requirements, and community needs to proactively plan infrastructure investments and service levels.

• Oversee maintenance and repair of City streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, medians, and public grounds.
• Supervise street resurfacing, pavement management, signage programs, roadside mowing, and right-of-way vegetation care.
• Direct the management of landscaping and grounds maintenance standards.
• Monitor contractor performance, ensuring compliance with specifications and safety practices.

• Oversee the City's stormwater infrastructure, including drainage systems, retention/detention areas, culverts, and flood control structures.
• Ensure adherence to federal and state stormwater regulations, including water quality, runoff control, and other related rules.
• Implement capital and maintenance plans to enhance flood protection and system reliability.

• Collection & transport of solid waste
• Providing responsive customer service to City residents
• Complying with county and state waste rules
• Participating in solid waste planning and recycling efforts
• Managing storm debris within city limits
• Protecting public health and the environment

• Oversees the maintenance, repair, and overall operational readiness of all City vehicles and equipment.
• Develops maintenance policies, preventive maintenance schedules, and compliance programs to ensure safety and regulatory adherence (DOT, OSHA, etc.).
• Manages maintenance staff, vendors, budgets, and procurement of parts/equipment to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Monitors fleet performance data, implements efficiency improvements, and leads long-term planning for fleet lifecycle and capital replacement.

• Lead construction and maintenance projects from planning through completion.
• Administer contracts for engineering, construction, and maintenance services.
• Ensure Intergovernmental coordination on Public Works projects.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to administer contracts for engineering, construction, and maintenance services.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure compliance with work orders, regulatory practices, and project objectives.

• Monitor, approve, adjust, and manage day to day fiscal activities.
• Track productivity and other key metrics to measure and improve department effectiveness.
• Develop and present operating and capital budgets for assigned divisions.
  • Monitor budget adherence and control costs within established parameters.
  • Prepare, review, and approve technical bid specifications for maintenance and operational needs.
• 
  EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
  • In compliance with the City’s Continuity of Operations Plan, directs the public works elements of Emergency Management Operations including disaster preparedness and recovery.
  • Manage initial debris collection within city limits after storms and coordinate with counties and FDEP for: temporary debris sites, disposal logistics, and compliance with emergency debris management regulations.
    
    OTHER
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities.
  • Maintain relevant certifications and stay updated on industry trends.
  • Attend all meetings as required.
  • May occasionally be required to conduct presentations to leadership or City Council.
  • All other duties as required.
    
    ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:ThispositionispartoftheCity’sEmergencyManagementTeamand,assuch,shall be expected to perform all duties that are assigned during an emergency management operation. Any additional compensation, above the normal weekly salary shall be outlinedby the CityManagerinthe City’s Emergency Management Activation and Emergency Declaration. Failure to appear to perform emergency management assignment and to work assigned shifts as scheduled by the City’s EmergencyManagementDirectororindividualsdesignatedbytheCityManagerto assign such functions will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, public administration, construction management, or a related field is required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have eight (8) to ten (10) years of experience in municipal public works or similar governmental operations experience (e.g., engineering, public administration, construction management, facilities maintenance, stormwater, etc.).
• Must have detailed knowledge of the equipment, tools, and supplies required to accomplish operational goals.
• Minimum of five (5) years of management and supervision.
• Must demonstrate an intermediate level of proficiency with Word, Excel and web-based online databases.
• Must communicate effectively verbally, electronically, and in writing.
• Ability to organize work, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Must have a high level of personal integrity; trustworthy and accountable.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and discretion in resolving problems and/or conflicts.
• Must have experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and dealing tactfully and persuasively with internal and external customers, the public and vendors.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as engineering and architectural plans, blueprints, safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and related documentation.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• A valid Florida driver's license is required.
• Additional relevant certifications a plus.
• Certification through the American Public Works Association for leadership or management is preferred.