Public Works Director

The City of Inver Grove Heights (pop. 36,984) is seeking its next Public Works Director. Reporting to the City Administrator, this executive leadership position directs the Engineering, Streets, and Utilities (Water, Sewer, and Stormwater) divisions, overseeing a team of 34 full-time, 2 part-time, and 12 seasonal employees.

The department's 2026 operating budget of $17.7 million and five-year Capital Improvement Program budget of $107 million support the maintenance, operation, and enhancement of the City's infrastructure. 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 Public Works Director provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and budget management for the department, ensuring the effective planning, design, maintenance, and operation of City infrastructure, utilities, facilities, and capital equipment. The Director serves as a key advisor to City leadership and represents the department before residents, community organizations, and partner agencies.

Public Works Director Position 10-21-26.pdf

Oversees the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of the City's public infrastructure.

• Directs, advises division heads and provides guidance concerning department funding, policy and political issues, concerns and implications.
• Formulates and develops long range infrastructure needs of the City.
• Develops five-year capital improvement plans and long-range plans for utility rate structure analysis.
• Determines departmental staffing needs and succession planning for the department.

Develops, recommends, presents, manages and administers the Public Works budget. Plans budgetary requirements and needs in accordance with the budgetary framework, policies and procedures of the City. Determines budgetary priorities and operational needs and collaborates with and guides division managers in the development of divisional budgets.

Oversees and directs the work of consultants and contracted services. Develops RFP's, negotiates contracts, tracks work progress and authorizes payments for work completed and assures work performed meets project specifications and contractual deliverables.

Manages and supervises departmental personnel to include:

• Assists division supervisors in establishing appropriate performance goals and standards for employees.
• Plans and coordinates employee training and staff development activities.
• Recommends the hiring, termination, discipline and promotion of direct reports.
• Determines the need to reorganize departmental structure, functions and responsibilities to improve the delivery of services or departmental efficiency.
• Evaluates the performance of division managers.
• Addresses and resolves employee issues, problems, concerns or conflicts.

Performs public relation activities for Public Works. Serves as the spokesperson for the department; interacts with city officials concerning matters impacting the department; represents the department before community organizations, the public, other employees, other departments, vendors, other governmental and regulatory agencies. Attends various County and State meetings, hearing, seminars, etc., as appropriate.

Serves as member of the City's senior management team and provides input and recommendations concerning City-wide organizations issues, concerns and initiatives.

Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

Requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and a minimum of 8 years public works experience that includes 3 years management experience related to public works administration; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires a Professional Engineer license in the State of MN.

• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of public works administration.
• Knowledge of the federal, state and local ordinances, laws and regulations relating to departmental activities.
• Knowledge of the principles of effective administration to include planning, directing, evaluation and coordinating.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices employed in budget development, implementation and administration.
• Knowledge of report and…