Public Works Director

Borough of Swissvale•Swissvale, PA

About The Position

The Borough of Swissvale is seeking an experienced Public Works Director to lead its multi-faceted Public Works Department. Swissvale is a diverse urban community bordering Pittsburgh, with 8,600 residents across 1.2 square miles. The Director manages, directs, and supervises all aspects of the department, including 16 full- and part-time employees and temporary summer employees. The department provides trash and recycling collection in Swissvale and three other municipalities; maintains storm and sanitary sewer systems, roads, fleets, parks and recreation facilities, buildings and grounds, trees, traffic signals, and signs; and performs street sweeping, leaf collection, snow and ice removal, and road construction. The Director also oversees budget preparation and management, procurement, and MS4 compliance, and responds to emergencies outside normal work hours. Candidates should have strong municipal-government experience and knowledge of public works policies and procedures. The role requires strong supervisory, management, critical-thinking, budget-development, and computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, as well as the ability to work effectively with employees, the public, elected officials, staff, and outside agencies. The Director must be able to work independently and as part of the Borough’s management team. Experience in engineering, public administration, or a related field, along with at least five years of progressively responsible municipal Public Works experience, is preferred. A bachelor’s degree is preferred, though significant field experience may substitute for education. Governmental-setting experience is a plus. Applicants must submit a cover letter, résumé, and at least three professional references. Applicants receiving an offer will be subject to a background check, driver’s history check, and pre-employment drug screening.

Requirements

Strong experience working in a municipal government setting and a sound understanding of Public Works policies and procedures.
Strong background working with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work well with staff members, elected officials, and outside agencies.
Ability to work independently and as part of the Borough of Swissvale management team.
Critical-thinking, supervisory, budget-development, management, and computer skills.
Ability to deal effectively with employees and the public.
Applicants receiving an offer are subject to a background check, driver’s history check, and pre-employment drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Experience in engineering, public administration, or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible work experience in the municipal Public Works field.
A bachelor’s degree; significant experience in the field may be substituted for education.
Experience in a governmental setting.

Responsibilities

Manage, direct, and supervise all aspects of the Public Works Department, including its full-time, part-time, and temporary summer employees.
Oversee residential and commercial trash and recycling collection in Swissvale and three other municipalities.
Oversee storm and sanitary sewer system maintenance.
Oversee road construction and maintenance.
Oversee fleet maintenance.
Oversee parks and recreation maintenance and improvements.
Oversee maintenance of buildings and grounds.
Oversee street sweeping, leaf collection, tree maintenance, and snow and ice removal.
Oversee traffic signal and sign maintenance.
Prepare and manage the department budget and oversee procurement.
Oversee MS4 compliance.
Respond to emergencies outside normal work hours.