Public Works Director

The Director of Public Works is a strategic leader responsible for proactively managing the city's infrastructure, services, and maintenance needs. This role emphasizes forward-thinking strategies, efficient resource management, and fostering a culture of innovation and employee development. By prioritizing preventive measures and capital improvement planning, the Director ensures long-term sustainability and service excellence while embodying the principles of servant leadership to benefit the community and team.

Strategic Leadership and Planning

Develop and implement proactive strategies to anticipate and address infrastructure and maintenance needs, minimizing reactive responses to complaints.
• Lead the creation and execution of capital improvement plans for roadway and off-site drainage projects, ensuring alignment with community goals and the direction of Mayor and Program Director.
• Utilize data-driven insights and advanced technology to enhance department operations and improve service delivery.

Operations and Maintenance Management

• Establish comprehensive maintenance schedules for city-owned assets, including streets, drainage systems, and equipment, to ensure maximum efficiency and longevity.
• Oversee the construction and maintenance of streets, sidewalks, bridges, drainage systems, and other municipal infrastructure.
• Implement and manage a dynamic work order system to prioritize tasks effectively and ensure timely completion.

Employee Development and Leadership

• Cultivate a high-performing team by providing robust training programs, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, offering constructive feedback and recognizing outstanding contributions.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, guided by servant leadership principles that empower employees to succeed.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Actively engage with residents, businesses, and local officials to understand and address community needs.
• Communicate department goals, plans, and progress transparently through public forums and regular updates.
• Collaborate with other city departments, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.

Technology and Innovation

• Leverage cutting-edge technologies to optimize workflows, improve resource management, and enhance the accuracy of project planning.
• Introduce digital tools for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and reporting to support decision-making.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Develop and manage a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan to ensure the department is ready to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. Perform after-action reviews as necessary.
• Coordinate emergency operations in collaboration with city officials and contractors, prioritizing public safety and infrastructure resilience.

Financial Management and Budgeting

• Assist the Program Director with the department's annual budget, aligning expenditures with strategic priorities and operational needs.
• Evaluate capital improvement projects to determine cost-benefit analyses of IBTS performing the work.

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or construction management is preferred; however, a minimum five (5) years of progressive leadership experience in public works or a related field can be substituted.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

Key Skills/Competencies for this position

Ability to:

• Multi-task;
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, and firm manner;
• Prepare accurate and detailed documentation of calls. Maintain complex logs, records, and files;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Type and enter data accurately at a speed necessary for successful job performance;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive public works program.
• Management skills to analyze programs, policies and operational needs.
• Construction techniques involving streets and roads, drainage systems and flood control.
• Principles and procedures of facility maintenance.
• Principles and practices of program management, development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Current Human Relation and employee labor law issues.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Key Competencies:

• Proactive Problem-Solving: Anticipates challenges and develops innovative solutions.
• Forward-Thinking Leadership: Aligns departmental activities with long-term community goals.
• Technical Expertise: Extensive knowledge of public works operations, asset management, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Employee Empowerment: Demonstrates a commitment to servant leadership by fostering growth and development.
• Strong Communication Skills: Effectively collaborates with diverse stakeholders and communicates complex plans clearly.

Physical/Environmental Demands for this position, when such demands exist.

Environmental Conditions:

• Office/field environment; may work in inclement weather conditions.

Physical Conditions:

• Essential and marginal functions require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; and operating motorized vehicles.

Personal Qualities

IBTS places a high value on certain personal traits that work toward creating a positive, supportive work environment, which is essential for working together and achieving success. We believe that the manner in which you achieve your results is equally important as the results themselves. The following are key personal traits essential for success in senior leadership roles within our organization.

• Strategic/Innovative Thinking
• Professional and Effective Interpersonal Skills
• Delegation with Team Accountability
• Risk Evaluation/Management/Mitigation
• Relationship Building: Internal and External

Bring your passion, expertise, and experience to IBTS, where we appreciate and are committed to our employees. We offer outstanding benefits, growth opportunities, and work hard to maintain a culture that values our employees.

The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established to provide unbiased professional building code compliance services, while enhancing the communities in which we work. At IBTS, our mission is to deliver quality services to meet the challenges of governance at all levels while enhancing public safety, economic development, and the general welfare of the community. Our services include Building and Community Development, Energy and Sustainability Services, Disaster Planning and Recovery, Quality Assurance, as well as Compliance and Risk Monitoring.

IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, VA, with additional offices in Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC.

We are committed to building a community of experts with diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives who are passionate about our mission. IBTS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer that maintains a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation. This opportunity is open to Section S3 Residents. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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