Public Works Director

The Position

Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Public Works Director manages the Public Works Department and plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs street, drainage, traffic, facilities, fleet, environmental compliance, infrastructure, and related capital improvement activities. The Director supervises the Public Works Supervisor directly, serves as the City’s ADA Coordinator or designates a staff member to that role, and serves as a member of the City’s Management Team.

The Director establishes priorities and develops both short- and long-term plans; develops and administers departmental budgets; manages capital and maintenance projects; prepares and oversees bids, contracts, and consultant agreements. The Director also reviews plans and permits; coordinates with developers and contractors; and provides reports and recommendations to the City Manager and elected officials. The position also oversees department safety and identifies grant and alternative funding opportunities. This is a working director position in which the successful candidate will balance strategic and administrative leadership with a meaningful presence in the field. During periods of reduced staffing, the Director may work alongside staff on snow and ice operations, emergencies and severe weather, and infrastructure incidents.

This is an opportunity to help shape a newly structured department at an important point in Central City’s growth. The next Public Works Director will have meaningful influence over infrastructure priorities, workforce development, capital planning, and day-to-day service delivery while working in a small organization where leadership is visible and the results of the work are readily seen throughout the community.

Opportunities & Priorities

Strengthen the Department and Succession Planning: The City sees an opportunity to bridge workforce generations, strengthen succession planning, and build a cohesive, team-oriented, transparent, and supportive culture. The next Director will be expected to train, coach, and mentor employees, develop staff capacity, establish clear expectations, and strengthen organizational resiliency.

Provide Visible, Engaged Leadership: The Director will need to be available and visible to staff, be regularly present in the field, check on active projects and day-to-day operations, and take the initiative to assess conditions, identify needs, and set priorities. The successful candidate will remain connected to employees and day-to-day operations while providing strong administrative, project, financial, and strategic leadership.

Strengthen Communication and Regional Partnerships: The Director must communicate effectively with the City Manager and Council members as directed, with City counterparts and support staff, and with Public Works employees. The position offers an opportunity to strengthen relationships with the State, County, neighboring jurisdictions, districts, contractors, consultants, and external partners.

Prepare for Growth and Organizational Transition: Central City anticipates significant growth and development over the coming years, including the potential for a large casino development, new residential development, broader infrastructure needs, and a future fire station. At the same time, the City is transitioning from a historically limited and financially restrictive environment toward one anticipating greater investment and expansion of City personnel. The Director will help establish priorities, align resources with future needs, and ensure Public Works services and infrastructure can scale thoughtfully with the community.

The Ideal Candidate

Central City is seeking an experienced public works professional with strong knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices and demonstrated experience in personnel leadership, professional development, project management, strategic planning, infrastructure prioritization, budgeting, capital management, RFP and contract processes, and grant writing and administration. The ideal candidate will also understand the city, county, state, and federal laws, regulations, standards, and compliance requirements affecting municipal public works.

The successful candidate will be collaborative, visible, proactive, and accountable. This person should be comfortable moving between the office and field, identifying potential problems, presenting viable solutions, establishing priorities, and building a healthy, productive, team-oriented culture. Experience training, coaching, and mentoring employees will be important as the City strengthens succession planning and workforce resiliency. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. The Director must prepare professional reports, plans, memoranda, correspondence, personnel documentation, and recommendations and communicate effectively with employees, the City Manager, elected officials, residents, contractors, consultants, agencies, and regional partners.

Education & Experience

• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or a related field is required, together with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a comprehensive public works program, including experience in the administration and management of the materials and personnel necessary for the development and maintenance of a public works system. A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience is also required. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• The successful candidate must possess a valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record and must obtain and maintain a Colorado CDL Class B with airbrake and tanker endorsements within one (1) year of employment. ADA Coordinator training must also be completed within one (1) year. ADA Coordinator Certification is preferred, as is registration as a Professional Engineer in Colorado.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal public works operations, including streets and rights-ofway, drainage and stormwater, snow and ice operations, facilities, fleet and equipment, infrastructure maintenance, and capital planning.
• Thorough understanding of applicable city, county, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and compliance requirements, including environmental, safety, and accessibility requirements affecting public works.
• Strong project, budget, financial, capital, contract, procurement, and grant administration skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans, specifications, technical reports, permit requirements, ordinances, and operational information and translate them into recommendations and priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, mentor, and develop employees while strengthening teamwork, professional development, succession planning, and organizational resiliency.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across departments and with contractors, consultants, developers, regional agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, residents, and businesses.

Compensation & Benefits

• $130,316 - $175,928 DOQ
• 100% City-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents.
• City-paid long-term disability and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Approximately 120 hours of vacation and 96 hours of sick leave annually, with increased vacation accrual to 156 hours annually after five (5) years.
• City match of up to 5% for employee contributions on both a 401(a) Governmental Money Purchase Plan and a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, for a combined City match of up to 10%.
• 15 paid holidays annually, including one personal holiday.
• City-paid job training and certification renewal costs.
• Most positions operate on a four-day, 10-hour schedule, subject to staffing levels during required on-call, emergency, snow, and special-event coverage.
• Reasonable relocation assistance available.