Public Works Director

Position Summary

The Director of Public Works oversees the planning, development, execution, and management of the city’s public infrastructure, ensuring all initiatives support the Mayor’s vision and goals for the city. The Director manages the Public Works Department (including Recreation & Parks Bureau, Highway & Fleet Maintenance Bureau, Building & Electrical Maintenance Bureau, Environmental Services and the Stormwater Management Bureau) ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance with local, state, federal, and environmental regulations.  

The Director of Public Works advises the Mayor on policy, programs, and projects; provides direction and assistance to Bureau Superintendents; meets with personnel and government officials regarding public works issues and projects; manages projects from inception, through planning, engineering,  construction, to close out; develops and monitors department budgets; manages department contracts with staff and vendors; participates on various boards/commissions as a representative of the city.

Other duties include directing staff and equipment for snow and ice control emergencies and working with consultants on development and execution of special events.

Serves as a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet and acts as a liaison between the Public Works Department, City Council and other elected officials, and residents to address concerns and provide updates on projects; develops and implements long-term and short-term plans for public works infrastructure and services to meet community needs.

Directs and oversees daily operations of the Public Works Department, ensuring high quality service delivery; evaluates and prioritizes departmental projects, including infrastructure maintenance, capital improvements, and emergency response plans; attends project and construction meetings; reviews construction plans and drawings.

Prepares and administers the department’s annual budget; monitors budget revenue and expenditure; ensures cost-effective operations.

Identifies funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships, to enhance the city’s public works services and infrastructure; monitors existing grants ensuring compliance with grant requirements; seeks reimbursements for grants; continually seeks new grant opportunities.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates department staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment; provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for employees to enhance skills and career growth

Demonstrates advanced expertise in methodologies and systems that influence the design and implementation of major organization-wide programs and processes. Exercises independent judgment and decision-making to effectively apply technical knowledge.

Ability to manage and monitor work performance by directing a department including hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.

Ability to interact with executive level management, which involves support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues, or the preparation of important presentations given as written documentation and/or as speeches to groups of managers, coworkers, elected officials, partner organizations, and the general public.

Demonstrated experience with division or department budget preparations.  Ability to review and approve expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department or research and prepare recommendations for organization-wide budget expenditures.

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration or Construction Management or related field is required. Master’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.

Minimum of five years of management experience in Public Works or related field.

Valid Class C Driver’s License issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Hiring Prerequisites:

Drug screening testing with negative results

Background Report

PA Child Abuse History Clearance Certificate. Note: Child Abuse History Clearance must be dated within one year from the date of application and must show that "no record exists."

Employee in this position must comply with Article 121 "Administration Generally", of the Codified Ordinances of The City of York, Pennsylvania, Section 121.3 (b) "Department  Heads"   A department head need not reside within the City at the time of an appointment by the Mayor, but shall within 120 days following his appointment, become a resident of the City and during the tenure of office shall reside within the City unless Council, by resolution, states otherwise.

Salary : $83,807 - $125,708