What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Works Director position at Innovative Public Advisors?
About The Position
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
Key Responsibilities
The City of Sun Prairie (population 40,000) is a vibrant, fast-growing community located in northeast Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. Ideally positioned within one of Wisconsin’s strongest regional economies, Sun Prairie offers immediate access to major transportation corridors, employment centers, and the cultural and educational amenities of the greater Madison area.
Sun Prairie is widely recognized for its exceptional quality of life, strong neighborhoods, and welcoming community character. The City features a thriving and continually evolving downtown, highlighted by local restaurants, shops, events, and public gathering spaces that serve as a focal point for community life. Residents enjoy extensive parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, along with year-round programming that reflects the City’s commitment to active living and community engagement.
The community offers a diverse and growing housing market, with a mix of established neighborhoods and new residential development that continues to attract families, professionals, and businesses alike. Sun Prairie is served by highly regarded schools known for academic achievement, innovation, and strong community partnerships.
Sun Prairie’s economy is dynamic and expanding, supported by a mix of commercial growth, light industry, healthcare, and professional services. Continued investment in infrastructure, economic development, and strategic planning has positioned the City as a regional leader and destination for growth.
With its balance of community character, economic vitality, and proximity to Madison, Sun Prairie stands out as one of Wisconsin’s most desirable places to live, work, and grow.
Learn more at cityofsunprairie.com
Apply
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Sun Prairie seeks an innovative, hands-on, strategic leader to serve as Public Works Director. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems—including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and solid waste—paired with the ability to manage complex operations, work across departments, and deliver reliable, high-quality services.
This individual is a practical problem solver who can oversee day-to-day operations while advancing long-range planning, creating new strategic goals, maintaining best practices in asset management, embracing new technologies in the field, and advancing capital improvement efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to respond effectively to both routine needs and emergency events. A collaborative and approachable leader, the ideal candidate builds strong relationships, supports high-performing teams, and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This individual will be involved with the long term planning of a future public works campus.
Hiring Range: $130,000-$150,000 (DOQ)
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Name
First Name(required)
Last Name(required)
Email(required)
Phone(required)
File Upload(required)
Please include Cover Letter, Resume and Professional References
Add a File
Public Works Director
About The Position
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
Key Responsibilities
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Name
First Name(required)
Last Name(required)
Email(required)
Phone(required)
File Upload(required)
Please include Cover Letter, Resume and Professional References
Add a File
Public Works Director
About The Position
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
About the Community
The City of Sun Prairie (population 40,000) is a vibrant, fast-growing community located in northeast Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. Ideally positioned within one of Wisconsin’s strongest regional economies, Sun Prairie offers immediate access to major transportation corridors, employment centers, and the cultural and educational amenities of the greater Madison area.
Sun Prairie is widely recognized for its exceptional quality of life, strong neighborhoods, and welcoming community character. The City features a thriving and continually evolving downtown, highlighted by local restaurants, shops, events, and public gathering spaces that serve as a focal point for community life. Residents enjoy extensive parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, along with year-round programming that reflects the City’s commitment to active living and community engagement.
The community offers a diverse and growing housing market, with a mix of established neighborhoods and new residential development that continues to attract families, professionals, and businesses alike. Sun Prairie is served by highly regarded schools known for academic achievement, innovation, and strong community partnerships.
Sun Prairie’s economy is dynamic and expanding, supported by a mix of commercial growth, light industry, healthcare, and professional services. Continued investment in infrastructure, economic development, and strategic planning has positioned the City as a regional leader and destination for growth.
With its balance of community character, economic vitality, and proximity to Madison, Sun Prairie stands out as one of Wisconsin’s most desirable places to live, work, and grow.
Learn more at cityofsunprairie.com
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Sun Prairie seeks an innovative, hands-on, strategic leader to serve as Public Works Director. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems—including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and solid waste—paired with the ability to manage complex operations, work across departments, and deliver reliable, high-quality services.
This individual is a practical problem solver who can oversee day-to-day operations while advancing long-range planning, creating new strategic goals, maintaining best practices in asset management, embracing new technologies in the field, and advancing capital improvement efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to respond effectively to both routine needs and emergency events. A collaborative and approachable leader, the ideal candidate builds strong relationships, supports high-performing teams, and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This individual will be involved with the long term planning of a future public works campus.
Hiring Range: $130,000-$150,000 (DOQ)
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Copyright 2026 | Innovative Public Advisors, LLC
PO Box 122, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095
Contact IPA
jay@public-advisors.com
262-355-6102
jess@public-advisors.com
262-339-5658
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
Key Responsibilities
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
The City of Sun Prairie (population 40,000) is a vibrant, fast-growing community located in northeast Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. Ideally positioned within one of Wisconsin’s strongest regional economies, Sun Prairie offers immediate access to major transportation corridors, employment centers, and the cultural and educational amenities of the greater Madison area.
Sun Prairie is widely recognized for its exceptional quality of life, strong neighborhoods, and welcoming community character. The City features a thriving and continually evolving downtown, highlighted by local restaurants, shops, events, and public gathering spaces that serve as a focal point for community life. Residents enjoy extensive parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, along with year-round programming that reflects the City’s commitment to active living and community engagement.
The community offers a diverse and growing housing market, with a mix of established neighborhoods and new residential development that continues to attract families, professionals, and businesses alike. Sun Prairie is served by highly regarded schools known for academic achievement, innovation, and strong community partnerships.
Sun Prairie’s economy is dynamic and expanding, supported by a mix of commercial growth, light industry, healthcare, and professional services. Continued investment in infrastructure, economic development, and strategic planning has positioned the City as a regional leader and destination for growth.
With its balance of community character, economic vitality, and proximity to Madison, Sun Prairie stands out as one of Wisconsin’s most desirable places to live, work, and grow.
Learn more at cityofsunprairie.com
Apply
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Sun Prairie seeks an innovative, hands-on, strategic leader to serve as Public Works Director. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems—including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and solid waste—paired with the ability to manage complex operations, work across departments, and deliver reliable, high-quality services.
This individual is a practical problem solver who can oversee day-to-day operations while advancing long-range planning, creating new strategic goals, maintaining best practices in asset management, embracing new technologies in the field, and advancing capital improvement efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to respond effectively to both routine needs and emergency events. A collaborative and approachable leader, the ideal candidate builds strong relationships, supports high-performing teams, and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This individual will be involved with the long term planning of a future public works campus.
Hiring Range: $130,000-$150,000 (DOQ)
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension.
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Name
First Name(required)
Last Name(required)
Email(required)
Phone(required)
File Upload(required)
Please include Cover Letter, Resume and Professional References
Add a File
Public Works Director
About The Position
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
Key Responsibilities
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension.
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Name
First Name(required)
Last Name(required)
Email(required)
Phone(required)
File Upload(required)
Please include Cover Letter, Resume and Professional References
Add a File
Public Works Director
About The Position
The Public Works Director serves as a key member of the City of Sun Prairie’s management team, providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the City’s public works services. Reporting to the Assistant City Administrator, this position plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing the City’s infrastructure systems and ensuring the delivery of reliable, high-quality services to the community.
This position oversees core service areas including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and refuse and recycling, working closely with City leadership and other departments to support operations, capital planning, and continued growth.
- Read full Position Description (PDF)
- View Position Profile (PDF)
About the Community
The City of Sun Prairie (population 40,000) is a vibrant, fast-growing community located in northeast Dane County, just east of the City of Madison. Ideally positioned within one of Wisconsin’s strongest regional economies, Sun Prairie offers immediate access to major transportation corridors, employment centers, and the cultural and educational amenities of the greater Madison area.
Sun Prairie is widely recognized for its exceptional quality of life, strong neighborhoods, and welcoming community character. The City features a thriving and continually evolving downtown, highlighted by local restaurants, shops, events, and public gathering spaces that serve as a focal point for community life. Residents enjoy extensive parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, along with year-round programming that reflects the City’s commitment to active living and community engagement.
The community offers a diverse and growing housing market, with a mix of established neighborhoods and new residential development that continues to attract families, professionals, and businesses alike. Sun Prairie is served by highly regarded schools known for academic achievement, innovation, and strong community partnerships.
Sun Prairie’s economy is dynamic and expanding, supported by a mix of commercial growth, light industry, healthcare, and professional services. Continued investment in infrastructure, economic development, and strategic planning has positioned the City as a regional leader and destination for growth.
With its balance of community character, economic vitality, and proximity to Madison, Sun Prairie stands out as one of Wisconsin’s most desirable places to live, work, and grow.
Learn more at cityofsunprairie.com
The Ideal Candidate
The City of Sun Prairie seeks an innovative, hands-on, strategic leader to serve as Public Works Director. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems—including streets, stormwater, fleet, facilities, and solid waste—paired with the ability to manage complex operations, work across departments, and deliver reliable, high-quality services.
This individual is a practical problem solver who can oversee day-to-day operations while advancing long-range planning, creating new strategic goals, maintaining best practices in asset management, embracing new technologies in the field, and advancing capital improvement efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to respond effectively to both routine needs and emergency events. A collaborative and approachable leader, the ideal candidate builds strong relationships, supports high-performing teams, and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This individual will be involved with the long term planning of a future public works campus.
Hiring Range: $130,000-$150,000 (DOQ)
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension.
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Excellent Benefits Package Includes:
- Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.
- Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, or a related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations, including supervisory experience.
- Strong knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and applicable regulations.
- Demonstrated experience in budgeting, capital planning, and personnel management.
Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.
Applications are now being accepted until the position is filled, with a first review no later than June 12, 2026.
Please upload or email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com.
Please direct questions to Jay at 262-335-6102.
Thank you for your interest!
Copyright 2026 | Innovative Public Advisors, LLC
PO Box 122, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095
Contact IPA
jay@public-advisors.com
262-355-6102
jess@public-advisors.com
262-339-5658