What are the responsibilities and job description for the Town of Herndon, VA - Director of Public Works/Utilities position at Raftelis?
The Town of Herndon, Virginia, is the third largest town in the Commonwealth, blending small-town charm with the energy of a 21st-century business hub. Situated in the northwest quadrant of Fairfax County, approximately 23 miles west of Washington, D.C., and just two miles east of Washington Dulles International Airport, Herndon is part of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, accessible via Metrorail’s Silver Line. Incorporated in 1879, the town has grown from a rural dairy outpost to a thriving community of 24,167 residents (2022 U.S. Census estimate), with a comprehensive master plan projecting a population of 28,200 by 2030.
Amidst Northern Virginia’s high-rise and industrial landscape, Herndon retains its historic character and “sense of place.” The town is distinct with its historic downtown, complete with an authentic train depot and caboose, and a municipal center complex that includes a library and Town Green. Events held on the Town Green and throughout the downtown include concerts, children’s programs, a spring/summer concert series that attracts thousands each week, a 4th of July celebration, and “Herndon’s Hometown Holiday” events. The 45-mile Washington and Old Dominion Trail runs through the heart of downtown, and the Herndon Community Center, managed by the town’s four-time Gold Medal-winning Parks & Recreation Department, offers facilities for virtually every type of athletic pursuit. The Herndon Centennial Golf Course, operated as a town enterprise fund, is consistently ranked among Golf Digest’s “Places to Play.” Additionally, the town boasts 11 parks, which have contributed to Herndon earning the “Tree City USA” designation for 32 consecutive years.
The town is distinctive in the vast array of cultures represented among its residents. A full 37 percent of residents identify as Hispanic (July 2021 U.S. Census report), and sixteen percent are of Asian descent. A myriad of other countries and cultures from around the globe are represented in Herndon. This diversity is evident in the town’s businesses as well, with restaurants, shops and other commercial enterprises specializing in specific cultural experiences.
Businesses are drawn to Herndon for its highly qualified workforce, proximity to key transit hubs, and strategic location within the region’s high-tech corridor, creating a unique synergy that supports enterprises of all sizes. Herndon’s prime location in the Dulles Technology Corridor has resulted in a significant corporate presence that includes regional headquarters and businesses specializing in information technology, aerospace and defense, and cyber/software. The opening of the second phase of the Metrorail’s Silver Line in 2022, which includes a station stop in Herndon, has spurred strong redevelopment interest in the town. Planned redevelopment of existing commercial buildings at the town’s Metro stop, along with strategic planning for adjacent transit-related growth, envisions a vibrant commercial and residential hub that complements Herndon’s historic downtown area.