Summary
Description
The City of Durango is seeking an experienced leader to serve as Public Works Director. In this role, you will plan, direct, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department, which includes engineering, streets, trash/recycling, water, wastewater, and capital improvement divisions. The Director works collaboratively with other City departments and external agencies, providing complex administrative support to the City Manager’s office.
About the Public Works Department:
The City of Durango’s Public Works Department is dedicated to enhancing the community’s quality of life by managing essential infrastructure and delivering exceptional services. The department’s responsibilities include maintaining and improving streets, ensuring reliable water and wastewater systems, efficient trash and recycling services, and overseeing city engineering and capital improvement projects. The Public Works Department is committed to providing safe, efficient, and sustainable services to residents and businesses, supporting the city’s economy and public safety.
Services are provided through 105 FTE positions, and a FY 2025 operating and capital budget totaling $75 million. Reporting directly to the Public Works Director are an Assistant Director (Utilities), an Assistant Director (Operations), the City Engineer, the Capital Improvement Program Manager, and a Public Works Administrative Services Manager.
Essential Job Duties
- Leadership and Management: Assume full management responsibility for all Public Works Department services and activities. Recommend and administer policies and procedures to ensure efficient operations.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each service area. Evaluate and forecast the city's public works needs and identify capital improvement project requirements.
- Budget and Resource Management: Manage and participate in the development and administration of the department budget. Approve forecasts for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and oversee expenditures.
- Staff Development: Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Public Works Department personnel. Provide or coordinate staff training, implement discipline and termination procedures, and ensure a high-performing team.
- Operational Oversight: Direct and coordinate the department's work plan through division managers. Review and evaluate work methods, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement changes.
- Community and Interdepartmental Relations: Represent the Public Works Department to other City departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public. Coordinate activities with other departments and external organizations.
- Customer Service: Ensure high-quality customer service, responding to and resolving difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of related education, experience, certifications, and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job is qualifying. The most attractive candidates will possess the following:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in public or business administration, organizational development/management, engineering, construction management, or a related field.
- Experience: Ten years of increasingly responsible experience in public works or city operations, including five years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
Supplemental Information
The anticipated salary range for the Public Works Director is $160,000 to $190,000, with placement in the range dependent on qualifications. In addition, retirement is provided through a 401(a) plan, with employee contributions set at 9%, with a City match of 11.2%. Employees are fully vested after five years. Additional benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance options for its employees, as well as life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance; PTO accruals vary from 23 days to 31 days per year, depending upon years of service; and the selected candidate will have use of a city-provided condominium for up to six months in order to provide time to secure housing.
For a complete listing of benefits please view the City’s 2025 Employee Benefits Guide.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates should apply immediately! A first review of résumés is scheduled for Monday, August 11, 2025, but the City may close the recruitment at any time once a suitably strong group of candidates has been established. Submit a comprehensive résumé and compelling cover letter via the link below.
***CLICK HERE TO APPLY***
Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:
Greg Nelson | greg@mosaicpublic.comgreg@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100
Belong at the City of Durango:
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.
The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
City of Durango's Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
