Public Works Director

Salary: $83,806.50 - $125,708.13 Annually
Location : City Hall, 101 South George St, York, PA
Job Type: Fulltime
Job Number: 20260319
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 05/18/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NAFF


Core Values of Mayor Walker's Administration


Staff must exemplify and promote the following organizational values throughout all city operations:

• Transparency: Commit to open communication and accountability in every decision and action.
• Collaboration: Foster partnerships across departments and with the community to achieve shared goals.
• Communication: Ensure information flows effectively across all levels of government and to the public.
• Employee Engagement: Empower and support employees through recognition, inclusion, and professional development.
• Great Customer Service: Deliver timely, respectful, and high-quality service to all residents, businesses, and visitors.
• Professionalism : Demonstrate integrity, competence, and respect in all internal and external interactions

Position Summary
Position Summary

The Director of Public Works oversees the planning, development, execution, and management of the city's public infrastructure, ensuring all initiatives support the Mayor's vision and goals for the city. The Director manages the Public Works Department (including Recreation & Parks Bureau, Highway & Fleet Maintenance Bureau, Building & Electrical Maintenance Bureau, Environmental Services and the Stormwater Management Bureau) ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance with local, state, federal, and environmental regulations.


The Director of Public Works advises the Mayor on policy, programs, and projects; provides direction and assistance to Bureau Superintendents; meets with personnel and government officials regarding public works issues and projects; manages projects from inception, through planning, engineering, construction, to close out; develops and monitors department budgets; manages department contracts with staff and vendors; participates on various boards/commissions as a representative of the city.

Other duties include directing staff and equipment for snow and ice control emergencies and working with consultants on development and execution of special events.
Essential Functions
Serves as a member of the Mayor's Cabinet and acts as a liaison between the Public Works Department, City Council and other elected officials, and residents to address concerns and provide updates on projects; develops and implements long-term and short-term plans for public works infrastructure and services to meet community needs.

Directs and oversees daily operations of the Public Works Department, ensuring high quality service delivery; evaluates and prioritizes departmental projects, including infrastructure maintenance, capital improvements, and emergency response plans; attends project and construction meetings; reviews construction plans and drawings.

Prepares and administers the department's annual budget; monitors budget revenue and expenditure; ensures cost-effective operations.

Identifies funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships, to enhance the city's public works services and infrastructure; monitors existing grants ensuring compliance with grant requirements; seeks reimbursements for grants; continually seeks new grant opportunities.

Supervises, trains, and evaluates department staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment; provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for employees to enhance skills and career growth
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrates advanced expertise in methodologies and systems that influence the design and implementation of major organization-wide programs and processes. Exercises independent judgment and decision-making to effectively apply technical knowledge.

Ability to manage and monitor work performance by directing a department including hiring/disciplinary actions and work objectives/effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed.

Ability to interact with executive level management, which involves support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues, or the preparation of important presentations given as written documentation and/or as speeches to groups of managers, coworkers, elected officials, partner organizations, and the general public.

Demonstrated experience with division or department budget preparations. Ability to review and approve expenditures of significant budgeted funds for the department or research and prepare recommendations for organization-wide budget expenditures.

Minimum Acceptable Training and Experience
Bachelor's degree in business administration, Public Administration or Construction Management or related field is required. Master's degree in business administration, Public Administration, Construction Management, or a related field is preferred.

Minimum of five years of management experience in Public Works or related field.

Valid Class C Driver's License issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Hiring Prerequisites:

Drug screening testing with negative results

Background Report

PA Child Abuse History Clearance Certificate. Note: Child Abuse History Clearance must be dated within one year from the date of application and must show that "no record exists."

Employee in this position must comply with Article 121 "Administration Generally", of the Codified Ordinances of The City of York, Pennsylvania, Section 121.3 (b) "Department Heads" A department head need not reside within the City at the time of an appointment by the Mayor, but shall within 120 days following his appointment, become a resident of the City and during the tenure of office shall reside within the City unless Council, by resolution, states otherwise.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement
The City of York provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, familial status, status as a covered veteran, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to hiring, introductory period, training, orientation, placement and employee development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, layoff, and recall, social and recreational programs, employee facilities, termination, and retirement. All decisions on employment and promotion will be made with the objective of furthering the principles of equal employment opportunity.


Accommodations Statement for Job Applications
The City of York is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io to request a needed accommodation.
City of York Benefits Overview
The City of York offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of employees and their families. Highlights include:

Medical Coverage

• Capital Blue Cross PPO plan with low copays and full coverage for preventive care
• Prescription drug coverage through TrueRX, plus optional Rx'nGo savings program

Dental & Vision

• Delta Dental plans: Enhanced and Basic options with orthodontia coverage
• Vision Benefits of America (VBA): Exams, lenses, frames, and contact lens allowance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Life & Disability Insurance

• City-paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Optional supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and short-term disability coverage

Retirement Savings

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan through Conrad Siegel for long-term financial planning
• City of York Pension Program

Additional Perks

• OSS Health Company Direct Program for orthopedic care
• Voluntary ancillary benefits through Colonial Life
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Wellspan Health
• Wellness Committee programming and activities throughout the year
• Learning and development opportunities

Eligibility : Full-time employees; coverage begins the first of the month following hire.

Enrollment: Must enroll within 14 days of hire; changes allowed during open enrollment or qualifying life events.
Questions about the City of York Benefits package can be directed to