Director of Public Works

Department: Public Works

Immediate Supervisor: County Manager

Supervises: Infrastructure Coordinator, Road & Bridge Team Supervisor, Public Works – Office Assistant, Solid Wast Team Leader

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Classification: Non-Exempt

Primary Place of Work: 255 Braecher Park Road Black Hawk, Colorado 80422

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Primary Responsibility:  The primary responsibilities of this position are to plan, direct, manage, organize and administer the activities, projects and operations of the Public Works Department, including the Road and Bridge (R&B) Division, Solid Waste Division, and Fleet Services.

Duties:

• The duties listed below are representative of, but do not necessarily include, all the duties and responsibilities that an individual in this position may be called upon to perform.

General

• Provides professional and technical management for Public Works Department.  Responsibilities include policy development, short and long-range program planning, fiscal management, administration, training, and operational direction. Ensures safe operations of the department. Accomplishes department objectives and goals within guidelines.
• Hires, supervises, evaluates and disciplines staff in accordance with the Gilpin County’s Employee Handbook. Trains, develops and coaches employees in the accomplishment of their duties, professional growth and risk management. Responsible for helping to create a cohesive and positive workforce.
• Develops and manages road construction projects, designs contracts and maintenance programs; oversees maintenance techniques, service requests, complaint reviews, corrective recommendations and operational problem solving. Prepares requests for proposals (RFP’s), reviews proposals and evaluates bids. Interprets project engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates and bid application to determine feasibility, engineering cost effectiveness, compliance with code requirements and accepted engineering or maintenance standards. Reviews work progress, cost reports, coordination of payment schedules, change orders and contract compliance per Gilpin County guidelines. Serves as or oversees the county Road Supervisor as appointed by the BOCC per state statute.
• Develops and manages all programs, policies, operations and maintenance. Evaluates collection and operating costs; promotes environmentally sound solid waste activities through education and enforcement of solid waste storage, collection and disposal regulations.  Monitors solid waste activities including scheduling and coordination of solid waste collection and transfer to disposal sites.
• Develops and manages the procurement, operation, maintenance and repair of all County owned and leased vehicles.  Collects data for measurable cost effectiveness of operational efficiency; manages policies and procedures to ensure County resources and communications needs are met. Maintains a familiarization of all equipment owned, leased or rented by the Public Works Department. Serves as the lead person on purchase, sale, lease or rental of the Department’s vehicles and equipment
• Manages the County Biomass Program. Monitors and evaluates biomass collection and operating costs; promotes biomass utilization activities through collaborative partnerships in facilitating fuel reduction planning, implementation, and capacity building. Maintains market knowledge of log and chip prices, appraises timber worth and negotiates purchases, maintains records and tracks costs associated with biomass and slash/mulch
• Evaluates new technology or improvements to reduce county energy use sources and demands.
• Participates in the planning of Public Works capital improvement projects for system maintenance or expansion.  Reviews developer plans, specifications, and other planning applications within scope of knowledge for the appropriate design of road and bridge projects.  This includes extensions of roadways, drainage and land use systems.  Reviews and approves changes to approved plans and specifications.
• Prepares, monitors and manages the department’s budget. Coordinates departmental accounting (budget, payroll and expenditures) with the Finance Director. 
• Develops, implements and monitors criteria for regulations, fees and fine schedules, plus permits pertaining to work performed in the County’s right-of-way
• Manages the County Roadway mitigation program.
• Interacts with Federal and State Forest Services staff and other various interest groups including but not limited to presentations, panel participation, forums and workshops regarding biomass, pest infestations and other forestry concerns as they affect Gilpin County roads and Public Works operations
• Maintains an expert knowledge of all road and bridge locations, road right of ways, road agreements, road contracts, and roads that have been deeded to Gilpin County but not accepted for maintenance. 
• Develops short-term and long-term capital expenditure projections regarding repair, maintenance, expansion, or remodeling of Public Works buildings and facilities. 
• Working with the Facilities department, oversees the maintenance and services to exterior and interior, quarterly and annual inspections, and ADA issues in of all Public Works facilities
• Provides management oversight of the preventative maintenance program for Public Work assets.
• Assists Facilities department as requested, in preparing requests for proposals (RFP’s) and bids; reviews contract bids and proposals; assists in coordination and reviews consultants’ design work. 

Ability to:

• Work independently with direction.
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of staff, and provide for their motivation, training and professional development.
• Research, compile, and summarize a variety of informational and statistical data and materials; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Accurately and effectively transmit and receive information that is necessary to the accomplishment of goals and objectives, including effective written and oral communications in English; and the ability to listen.
• Speak effectively before employees and public groups and respond to questions.
• Organize work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Identify and assess equipment and building maintenance related problems and facilitate the corrections of those problems.
• Provides cross-training and knowledge transfer to staff as needed to support continuity of operations and government services.
• Exercises sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information, ensuring appropriate disclosure only to authorized individuals and entities.
• Assists in stabilizing emergent or unforeseen operational situations to ensure continuity of services and effective organizational response.
• Adheres to all County policies, procedures, regulations, and applicable laws.
• Performs other duties and special assignments as assigned.

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

Experience and Work Ethic

1. Principles, practices and techniques of public works, traffic engineering, civil engineering, transit, solid waste.
2. Applicable federal, state and local law, codes and regulations governing the administration of public works and public utilities.
3. Building System infrastructure and operating systems (water, waste water, HVAC, Lighting, Alarms, etc.), building design, construction and maintenance.
4. The aspects of public works facilities planning, construction and maintenance.
5. Principles of project management.
6. Effective and efficient work practices for estimating time, costs, materials, staffing and equipment needs.
7. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
8. Strong communication and organizational skills
9. Exceptional problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
10. Ability to exercise professional judgment and organization skills.
11. Creativity and ability to remain flexible in a changing environment.
12. High degree of ethics and integrity.
13. Interest in ensuring County codes are adhered to regardless of personal feelings or relationship associated with individual matters.

Civic Minded

1. Must possess strong community interest, while understanding the County government organization, function, policy rules and regulations.
2. Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team member.
3. Ability to review and evaluate operating procedures and recommend improvements.
4. Use of professional and personal discretion to protect the County from any actual and/or perceived appearances of impropriety.
5. Applicate Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Personal Responsiveness

1. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, businesses, the general public and with the ability to communicate effectively.
2. Self-directed and self-motivated in job-related tasks.
3. Commitment that employment with the County is primary to all other forms of employment.
4. Be punctual and prompt for work and meetings.
5. Locate, organize, and retrieve department records and files in a timely fashion.

Education / Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Civil Engineering, Public Works Administration or related field preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. 

OR

• Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required abilities, knowledge and skills as determined by Gilpin County may be substituted for the requirements above.
• Valid driver’s license; must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 12 months of hire

Mental/Physical Demands: 

• Spends 50% of the time sitting, and 50% of the time either standing or walking while on the job.
• Occasionally lifts over 15 lbs., when moving office or maintenance supplies or files, and may stoop, kneel, crouch and balance while performing same functions.
• Oral and auditory capacity enabling interpersonal communication, as well as, communication through automated devices such as email, telephone and radio.
• Eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the constant use of machinery such as computer keyboard.

Must be able to perform, without additional assistance, all physical movements required for program administration, personnel supervision and the rapid, on-site inspection and assessment of road and bridge conditions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Gilpin County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons. Must pass drug screen and pre-employment screening.  

*Part-time and Temporary staff are ineligible for the following benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401A, Life Insurance, Short-term & Long-term Disability plans in additional to Long-term care. See the benefit details at the end of the job posting for part-time options.

Benefits for Full Time Employees:

Paid Holidays: Gilpin County provides 13 paid holidays per calendar year. An employee will be paid ten (10) hours per holiday.

Vacation: The first year of employment, (based on the anniversary of the hire date) full-time employees are given 40 hours of vacation and earn 3 hours of paid vacation leave bi-weekly. After that time, leave shall accrue as follows:
 

Full-Time employees are encouraged to take their earned vacation leave each year. Vacation time accrual shall cap at the maximum amount and shall not exceed the maximum accrual amount, based on total months of service. 

Sick Leave: Full-Time employees shall accrue four (4) hours of sick leave each bi-weekly pay period. The maximum sick leave that may be accumulated by such an employee is 600 hours.

Medical Plans: Gilpin County offers two medical plans with Kaiser and United Health Care. Gilpin County offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for all employees to cover co-pays, deductibles, and other medical expenses. Employees are eligible for benefits the first of the month following 30 days of service. This HRA card will have $3,000.00 on it for an individual or $6,000.00 for a family. Both plans have a max out of pocket for $1,000 individual or $2,000 per family after the use of the HRA card for in network expenses.

United Health Care Monthly Employee Cost:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$80.85/$167.72/$149.40/$234.30

Kaiser Permanente Monthly Employee Cost:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$72.60/$152.62/$134.47/$210.90

Dental Plan: Gilpin County offers dental coverage through Delta Dental with PPO and Premiere network coverages. Individual deductible at $50 and family deductible at $150. In network coverage for preventative and diagnostic services are covered 100%, basic services covered at 80%, major services at 50%, and ortho covered at 50% with a $2,000 max. The plan offers a “Right Start 4 Kids” plan that covers most children basic services up to their 13th birthday at 100% with no deductible (some exclusions apply). Annual max this plan pays for covered dental services is $2,000 per individual covered on the plan.

Delta Dental Monthly Employee Costs:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$0.00/$28.71/$54.00/$72.50

Vision Plan: Gilpin County offers vision coverage through VSP. In network coverage includes copays at $10 copays with an allowance of $175 per pair of either one prescription eyeglasses or contacts yearly on a 12-month calendar basis and discounts on Lasik.

VSP Vision Monthly Employee Costs:
Employee Only/Employee and Spouse/Employee and Child(ren)/Employee and Family
$0.00/$3.20/$3.40/$5.60

Retirement: Two retirement savings plans are available through the Colorado Retirement Association: 401(a) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

·        The 401(a) has a 5% required full match with a 4-year vesting period.

·        The 457 Plan is optional and has Pre-tax and Roth Options available. After four years of service, this plan could also include a County match as described below.

Social Security, as required by law: 6.2% required full match.

Effective July 8, 2025, for all new employees hired on or after this date, the graduated vesting schedule for the 5% match on employees’ 401(a) plan is as follows:

Starting January 1, 2026, two new voluntary retirement plan matches will be initiated, with one plan for POST (law enforcement officers) and a second for all other employees, based on years of service. The employee would need to make voluntary contributions into a 457 account at the minimum level in order to be eligible for the County match into the employee’s 401(a).

POST 401(a) eligible positions, 1:1 match

All other 401(a) eligible positions, 1:2 match

Short-Term Disability: Short-term disability pays 60% of your earnings with a max of $1,000 per week for up to 11 weeks. Benefits begin on day 15 and your first two weeks you will have to cover with sick, personal, or vacation time. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.
Long-Term Disability: Long-term disability kicks in after 90 consecutive calendar days of a qualified disability. The plan will pay 60% of your earnings with a max of $5,000 monthly. Gilpin County covers 100% of the premium cost of this plan for the employee.
 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All one Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation:  Employees receive free memberships, as well as 20% discounts on most services such as childcare, leagues, rentals, in house classes but does not include contract classes.

Benefits for Part Time and Temporary Employees:

Sick Leave: Leave accrues at the rate of 1 hours of sick leave per 30 hours worked to a maximum of 45 hours per year.
Retirement: As a part time or temporary employee, you may participate in the optional 457b or 457 Roth plan. These plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP is provided through Triad All One Health for employees and members of your household. Services are confidential and available 24/7. A wide variety of services including but not limited to: Emotion well-being support with up to 6 Counseling sessions per issue each year. Daily life assistance guidance on a variety of topics. Online resources with articles, assessments, search tools, webinars. Free 30-minute consultations on legal services and financial services. A discount center to find deals on products, services, travel and more!

Retirement: Gilpin County offers optional 457b or 457 Roth plans. The optional 457b plans may be started, stopped, and changed anytime during your employment

Gilpin County Parks & Recreation:  Employees receive free membership, as well as 20% discounts on most services such as childcare, leagues, rentals, in house classes but does not include contract classes.