Public Works Director

Description For additional information on the City and Public Works department, click here. Directs and coordinates the overall operations of the Public Works Department, including Streets, Sewers, Solid Waste, Fleet and related functions, in support of policies and objectives established by the City Manager. Provides operational and administrative leadership focused on reliable service delivery, workforce management, labor relations, fiscal stewardship, safety, accountability, problem solving, and continuous improvement. Establishes priorities, allocates resources, evaluates operational conditions and risks, and directs managers and supervisors to ensure effective and responsive services. Leads complex personnel, labor, and operational matters, including collective bargaining agreements, grievances, employee performance, workplace conflicts, and disciplinary matters, in coordination with Human Resources and bargaining‑unit representatives. Serves as the City's primary Public Works subject matter expert and advises the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, and other departments regarding operations, service levels, workforce needs, infrastructure, budgets, projects, and operational risks. Examples of Duties This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned. Operational Leadership Directs Public Works operations to ensure safe, efficient, reliable, and responsive service delivery. Establishes priorities, service standards, performance measures, and resource requirements; monitors results and takes corrective action as needed. Evaluates staffing, workloads, equipment, schedules, and other resources and adjusts priorities to maintain essential services. Identifies and resolves operational and organizational issues and promotes continuous improvement. Uses operational data, work-order systems, performance measures, and other management tools to evaluate performance and support decisions. Ensures services align with community needs, City priorities, available resources, and established service levels. Workforce and Labor Relations Administers and interprets collective bargaining agreements in coordination with Human Resources and City administration. Addresses grievances, workplace conflicts, contract issues, performance concerns, disciplinary matters, and other employee and labor issues with Human Resources, managers, supervisors, and bargaining‑unit representatives. Ensures consistent application of City policies, labor agreements, work rules, performance standards, and disciplinary practices. Makes or recommends disciplinary decisions, including final formal disciplinary decisions in consultation with Human Resources. Maintains productive labor‑management relationships while protecting the City's operational needs, management rights, and contractual obligations. Supports recruitment, retention, workforce development, succession planning, and continuity of operations. Department Administration and Management Establishes an organizational structure that promotes accountability, effective communication, and efficient decision‑making. Develops and administers the department's operating budget and monitors expenditures, staffing costs, overtime, equipment, contracts, and other financial matters. Oversee Public Works functions, major maintenance activities, capital improvements, and asset‑management strategies for infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and other operational assets. Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, City policies, codes, standards, contracts, and operating requirements. Coordinates with City departments, governmental agencies, contractors, consultants, private entities, and community stakeholders on Public Works matters. Evaluates the operational impact of proposed developments, projects, policies, and initiatives and recommends appropriate service levels, staffing, costs, and risk‑management strategies. Advises and reports to the City Manager on departmental performance, significant operational and labor issues, financial conditions, risks, and recommended actions. Emergency and Community Response Provides leadership during significant weather events, infrastructure failures, service disruptions, emergencies, and other incidents affecting Public Works operations. Coordinates personnel, equipment, contractors, and other resources to maintain essential services and restore operations. Represents the City on Public Works matters before governmental agencies, community organizations, contractors, and other stakeholders. Responds to significant service concerns and operational incidents and ensures appropriate follow‑up and resolution, including outside normal business hours when necessary. Directs preparation of required regulatory and operational reports. Supervisory Responsibilities Directs and holds accountable Public Works managers, superintendents, supervisors, and other assigned personnel for departmental results. Establishes expectations for performance, employee management, safety, service delivery, and compliance with City policies and labor agreements. Evaluates managers and supervisors and takes appropriate action when expectations are not met. Ensures supervisors effectively address employee performance, attendance, conduct, safety, and workplace issues. Coaches and develop managers and supervisors in leadership, employee relations, conflict resolution, labor relations, and performance management. Delegates authority appropriately while maintaining accountability for departmental results. Interviews and selects personnel in coordination with Human Resources and oversees onboarding, training, and professional development. Promotes employee engagement, professional conduct, and safe work practices designed to minimize injuries, property damage, service disruptions, and financial loss. Typical Qualifications General Skills Level: Knowledge Of Municipal Public Works operations, including streets, solid waste, fleet, infrastructure maintenance, drainage, facilities, and related services. Public‑sector management, workforce management, labor relations, collective bargaining, performance management, budgeting, procurement, contract administration, asset management, and emergency response. Collective bargaining agreements, grievance and disciplinary processes, employee relations, and workplace policies applicable to unionized workforces. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, City policies, codes, and administrative requirements affecting Public Works operations. Skills And Abilities Lead a large, diverse, and unionized workforce while maintaining reliable service delivery. Establish priorities, allocate resources, make sound decisions, and respond effectively to changing operational conditions. Address complex personnel, labor, operational, and organizational issues professionally and consistently. Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and work effectively with Human Resources and union representatives. Balance service expectations, workforce capacity, budget constraints, operational requirements, and community needs. Analyze operational and financial information and use data to evaluate performance and support management decisions. Build effective working relationships with employees, City leadership, elected officials, residents, union representatives, contractors, and other stakeholders. Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, delegate appropriately, develop staff, and lead organizational changes. Use standard office software and applicable work‑order, asset‑management, geographic information, and other Public Works management systems. Required Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, management, public works administration, or a related field. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in municipal public works, municipal operations, utilities, transportation, fleet, solid waste, infrastructure, or a closely related field. At least 5 years of supervisory or management experience, preferably involving multiple operational functions and a significant workforce. Demonstrated experience managing employee performance, labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, grievances, disciplinary matters, or other personnel issues in a unionized environment. Municipal or other public‑sector management experience is strongly preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. Certificates & Licenses Required: Valid driver's license. Preferred: Professional certification or specialized training in public administration, management, labor relations, or a related field. Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred but not required. Physical Requirements / Working Conditions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular travel to City facilities, Public Works operational locations, meetings, construction sites, and other municipal facilities. The position requires attendance at meetings outside normal business hours and availability to respond to significant operational incidents and emergencies. Incidental field work may involve exposure to dust, moisture, traffic, noise, construction activity, and varying weather and temperature conditions. Benefits Our employees are our greatest asset and reason for our success. As a full‑time Classified/non‑union employee, you will receive a Total Compensation package including healthcare/wellness benefits, paid time off (PTO), insurance and retirement. Details below: Healthcare/Wellness Medical - choice between a lower deductible PPO, an HSA-compatible PPO, and an HMO Dental - PPO Vision - PPO Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Extensive Wellness program, including an annual Health Club Reimbursement Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - for assistance with work, health & life topics such as overall wellbeing, relationship management, workplace challenges, addiction, child/elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, nutrition & physical health All plans administered by BCBS 75% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s). Working spouse exclusion applies, however, to the Medical Plan Administered by BCBS 50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s) Administered by VSP 50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s) Paid Time Off (PTO) 3 weeks' vacation, provided on your start date 4 weeks at 11 years of service 5 weeks at 20 years of service 12.5 paid holidays each year New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day Good Friday Memorial Day Juneteenth 4th of July Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day After Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year’s Eve (1/2 day) 2 personal days provided each year Opportunity to earn a Wellness Day each year 1 sick day earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 60 days Insurance $50,000 Employer-provided benefit Voluntary Life Insurance buy-up Retirement Automatic enrollment in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Pension - benefit details can be found here Voluntary retirement options available: 457 Account (similar to a 401k) Roth IRA Additional Voluntary After‑Tax Contribution (VAC) plan via IMRF #J-18808-Ljbffr