HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works DirectorUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: Public Works Director
Department: Public Works
Division: Administra�on
Supervisor: City Manager
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: 34
Job Number: 3404
Job Summary
Directs the opera�onal, financial, and personnel ac�vi�es of seven divisions in the Public Works
Department, including Administra�on, Engineering, Equipment, Resource Management, Streets,
Wastewater and Water. Assists the City Manager in developing strategies to meet state and
federal mandates, accommodate community growth, and maintain an aging infrastructure.
Represents the department before the City Council, the general public and the media.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Directs and reviews the work of seven Public Works divisions.
• Provides managerial and technical advice and oversees development of division
supervisory staff.
• Serves on and atends staff and commitee mee�ngs to provide technical advice and
develop reports and recommenda�ons.
• Develops, administers and monitors Public Works budget and approves expenditures.
• Assists the City Manager in developing Public Works policy recommenda�ons to the City
Council.
• Plans long range department goals in conjunc�on with City Council strategic plan.
• Recommends Capital Improvement Projects, develops and submits City Council agenda
items to the City Manager and makes oral presenta�ons and answers ques�ons at City
Council and Commission mee�ngs.
• Advises the City Manager on necessity, desirability and feasibility of expanding and/or
improving the City's Public Works infrastructure.
• Responds to and resolves inquiries, requests, and complaints from the public and
outside agencies or groups regarding Public Works maters.
• Serves as the City's representa�ve with various regional, state and federal regulatory
agencies.
• Develops and rewrites ordinances regula�ng municipal u�li�es.
• Develops and administers a variety of professional consultant contracts.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
Updated: March 2024
• Performs other du�es as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and six years of related
experience; or ten years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Civil Engineering. Experience in public works
administration. Supervisory experience.
• National Incident Management System Training ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, IS 800, ICS 300, ICS 400
within two years of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with sa�sfactory driving
record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must reside in
the municipal limits of the City of Iowa City.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and eight years of related
experience; or twelve years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
• State of Iowa Professional Engineer license in the field of civil engineering.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to apply advanced mathema�cal concepts such as exponents, logarithms,
quadra�c equa�ons, and permuta�ons.
• Ability to apply mathema�cal opera�ons to such tasks as frequency distribu�on,
determina�on of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correla�on techniques,
sampling theory, and factor analysis. Ability to apply principles of logical or scien�fic
thinking to a wide range of intellectual and prac�cal problems.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scien�fic equa�ons, graphs, musical
notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.
• Ability to develop and present mathema�cal budget informa�on.
• Ability to make effec�ve and persuasive speeches and presenta�ons on controversial or
complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or commissions, or elected
officials.
• Ability to plan effec�vely, mo�vate tac�ully, u�lize staff efficiently and be sensi�ve to the
concerns of the public.
• Ability to read and understand technical materials, reports, and journals.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to respond effec�vely to the most sensi�ve inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to write reports and ar�cles using original or innova�ve techniques or style.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, street construc�on and maintenance
requirements, traffic control devices, water and wastewater treatment, water
distribu�on and sewer collec�on systems, storm water systems, landfill, waste collec�on
and recycling systems, and public works facility opera�ons.
Updated: March 2024
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
• Skills in leadership, management, nego�a�on, oral and writen communica�on, problem
solving, and decision making.
Supervision
Responsible for the overall direc�on, coordina�on, and evalua�on of a department. Carries out
supervisory responsibili�es in accordance with the organiza�on's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibili�es include supervising subordinate supervisors and direct reports include
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and direc�ng work; appraising
performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving
problems.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The
employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands
and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision
abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director (4/2024)
Updated: March 2024
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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