What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Public Works/ County Engineer position at County of Colusa?
Join Colusa County’s leadership team as the next Assistant Director of Public Works/County Engineer — where innovation meets impact.
We're seeking an experienced and forward-thinking engineering professional to help lead a dynamic Public Works Department dedicated to serving our rural communities with excellence. In this pivotal role, you'll oversee critical infrastructure programs—including engineering, roads, solid waste, and transportation—while coordinating closely with regional agencies and County leadership. This is your opportunity to shape long-term capital improvements, enhance public services, and make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of Colusa County residents. If you're a strategic leader with technical expertise and a passion for public service, we encourage you to apply. To learn more about this position, please check out the job description pages HERE.
This recruitment is open until filled. It is to your advantage to submit an application as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time following application review on September 14, 2025.
Selection Procedure –The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process:
- Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
- Screening for minimum qualifications: September 14, 2025.
- Successful applicants will be notified of the dates for first interviews and executive-level interviews once they have been scheduled.
What's this Job All About?
The Assistant Director of Public Works/County Engineer is a high-impact leadership position responsible for managing complex engineering, infrastructure, and public works operations across multiple divisions. This role combines strategic oversight with technical expertise, guiding functions such as road and bridge maintenance, capital project delivery, solid waste systems, and transportation planning. In addition to supervising multidisciplinary teams and contractors, the position plays a critical role in policy implementation, regulatory compliance, interagency coordination, and long-term project planning. Serving as the County Engineer, this position also acts as a key advisor on engineering matters and ensures the integrity and efficiency of essential public infrastructure throughout Colusa County.Embracing the Colusa County Work Culture
At Colusa County, the Assistant Director of Public Works/County Engineer is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to be deeply rooted in a community-driven mission. Working in our Public Works Department means contributing to the foundation of everyday life in a rural county that values collaboration, resourcefulness, and service. You’ll join a dedicated team that takes pride in building and maintaining infrastructure that supports residents, businesses, and future growth. The work is hands-on, the pace is dynamic, and your impact is visible—from planning key engineering projects to ensuring the safe operation of roadways and public facilities. Here, your professional skills are matched by a shared commitment to public service and a supportive work environment where everyone plays a vital role in shaping the county's future.
What are the benefits?
- A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
- A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
- A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members)
- Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
- Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
- 457 Deferred Compensation
- Management Leave: Forty (40) hours
- PAID vacation, PAID holidays (13), and PAID sick leave
- Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)
Receives administrative and professional direction from the Director of Public Works.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Assists with direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Assistant Public Works Director/ Airport Operations:
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible public works and engineering experience including two (2) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.
License or Certificate:
Certificate of Registration as a registered civil engineer in the State of California.
Registered Civil Engineering License required.
Professional Land Surveyor License in the State of California is desirable, but not a requirement.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Salary : $128,436 - $210,456
