JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Public Works Director

Reports to: City Administrator

Department: Public Works

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Revision Date: January 2026

Pay Grade: 65

Annual Salary Range (DOQ): $97,488.50 - $146,232.75

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, business or public administration or closely related field.

Minimum Experience:

Seven (7) years of professional work experience in public works/utilities or engineering.

Five (5) years of directly related progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience.

Minimum Certification: Professional Engineering License (P.E.) preferred.

Other Requirements: Valid Driver’s License.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for the administrative oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, coordinating and control of a comprehensive public works program including Engineering, Contracted Solid Waste Services, Streets, Stormwater, Water and Wastewater Utilities, in order to ensure essential services are provided to maintain the public infrastructure and provide for public safety, health and welfare; and ensures effective operation of all divisions.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply online with a copy of your current resume.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

Interviews and select new employees; provides training and instructions and ongoing training needs; provides coaching, counseling, and mentoring to allow for optimal performance; assigns tasks, reviews work and prepares performance evaluations; recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
Identifies training needs and opportunities for the department.
Defines and implements the goals and objectives for department operations.
Directs staff on complex work and interpreting the application of policy and procedure.
Researches, recommends, develops, and implements policy and procedures for operational effectiveness, sustainability, and safety. Monitors all operations for effective application of department policies, procedures, and standards.
Develops work plans and strategies to meet business needs-both short term and long term; Ensures clear direction, proper implementation, and City conformance to legal requirements.
Develops, recommends, and implements annual departmental budgets, forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, material, and supplies. Monitors budget throughout the year with assistance from division managers. Identifies and develops future capital improvement projects.
Prepares short and long-term capital improvement plans associated with Public Works. Identifies capital projects/assets requiring rehabilitation or replacement and prioritizes so critical projects/assets are addressed in a proactive manner. Prepares and administers the Department’s budget to control expenditures and maintain fiscal integrity.
Conducts or administers special research and studies for the City Administrator and City Council. Conducts and provides technical guidance to other Departmental heads and governing bodies on various public works issues. Reviews designs and studies prepared for the City by Consulting Engineers.
Represents the Department and City on external matters when dealing with public and private agencies and organizations, the media, general public and state and federal agencies. Represents the Department on internal issues to the City Administrator and City Council, and other boards and governing bodies.
Serves as a resource to communicate engineering standards and ordinance requirements for project planning meetings, pre-construction meetings, or other communications for engineers, consultants, developers, residents, and technicians.
Manages Department capital projects including budget management and payments, and construction.
Manage the administration of related grants, including researching funding opportunities, preparing applications, ensuring regulatory compliance, tracking expenditures, and completing required reporting.
Plans, develops, bids, and manages the implementation of design and construction contracts and projects.
Directs the department’s capital project design review and private development site plan review. Assists and guides engineering staff as needed.
Oversees services provided by external engineering vendors contracted by the Department.
Serves as the City’s right-of-way administrator; reviews and processes applications for private use of the public right-of-way and make recommendations regarding the same.
Prepares National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES) renewal permits and annual reports.
Receives and handles questions and concerns from the public, elected officials, and City staff pertaining to public construction projects and Department matters.
Responds to citizen complaints, concerns, or inquiries regarding the Department.
Responds to emergency situations outside of business hours as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
Knowledge of methods and techniques in the design, construction and maintenance of municipal facilities and projects.
Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater treatment systems, wastewater collection systems, water treatment, and water distribution systems.
Knowledge of Federal, State, County, and Local regulations as they relate to water and sewer systems, knowledge of the maintenance, repair, and installation of equipment in wastewater collection systems.

5. Knowledge of all phases of Public Works maintenance activities, heavy emphasis on area of assigned responsibility.

6. Knowledge of materials used in municipal street maintenance programs.

7. Knowledge of safe operations of heavy-duty trucks and equipment.

8. Knowledge of care and use of equipment and tools utilized in the performance of department functions.

Knowledge of the City and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
Knowledge of federal, state, and regional grant programs related to Public Works infrastructure, including eligibility requirements, grant administration, financial tracking, compliance standards, and reporting procedures.
Ability to effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
Ability to develop, interpret and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department specific documents.
Ability to prepare, recommend and monitor an operating and Capital Improvement Plan budget, including line-item budgeting, short and long-term capital planning.
Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the City.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
Knowledge of management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time off, and maintaining personnel records.
Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
Knowledge of computer software consistent for this position.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provision of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
Work has standard vision requirements.
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
Work is performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and includes exposure to inclement weather, noise, vibrations, airborne materials, and active construction sites. Work outdoors is limited.
Work is generally in a moderately noisy setting (e.g., business office, light traffic).

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Smithville, MO

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