Public Works Director

City of Inver Grove Heights•IGH City Hall, MN

About The Position

The City of Inver Grove Heights is seeking a Public Works Director to lead its Engineering, Streets, and Utilities divisions, including water, sewer, and stormwater. Reporting to the City Administrator, the Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and budget management for the department and oversees 34 full-time, 2 part-time, and 12 seasonal employees. The department's 2026 operating budget is $17.7 million, and its five-year Capital Improvement Program budget is $107 million. The Director oversees the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of City infrastructure, utilities, facilities, and capital equipment. Key initiatives include approximately 10 miles of annual street and utility improvements through the Pavement Management Program, a citywide water meter replacement project, rehabilitation of the North Water Tower, and planning for a new Central Maintenance Facility. The Director advises City leadership, manages departmental resources and personnel, and represents the department before residents, community organizations, partner agencies, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

A minimum of a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A minimum of 8 years of public works experience, including 3 years of management experience related to public works administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Professional Engineer license in the State of Minnesota.
Knowledge of public works administration; applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations; administration and supervisory practices; budget development and administration; record maintenance; municipal research and statistics; and relevant City, County, and State policies and procedures.
Organizational, planning, communication, presentation, public relations, problem-solving, time-management, and financial management skills.
Ability to supervise and review a large staff, develop and implement departmental policies and procedures, plan long-range infrastructure and capital improvements, resolve design and administrative issues, and negotiate agreements and contracts.

Responsibilities

Oversee the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the City's public infrastructure.
Direct and advise division heads on department funding, policy, political issues, concerns, and implications.
Formulate and develop the City's long-range infrastructure needs.
Develop five-year capital improvement plans and long-range utility rate structure analysis plans.
Determine departmental staffing needs and succession planning.
Develop, recommend, present, manage, and administer the Public Works budget; establish budgetary priorities and operational needs and guide division managers in developing divisional budgets.
Oversee consultants and contracted services, including developing requests for proposals, negotiating contracts, tracking work, authorizing payments, and ensuring contractual and project specifications are met.
Manage and supervise department personnel, including supporting performance goals, training and staff development, personnel recommendations, organizational changes, performance evaluations, and resolution of employee concerns or conflicts.
Perform public relations activities and serve as the department spokesperson, representing Public Works to City officials, community organizations, the public, employees, vendors, and governmental and regulatory agencies.
Attend County and State meetings, hearings, seminars, and similar events as appropriate.
Serve on the City's senior management team and provide input and recommendations on City-wide organizational issues, concerns, and initiatives.
Perform other duties of a comparable level or type as required.