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.pdfOversees 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. Essential Knowledge And Specialized Subject Knowledge Required To Perform The Essential Functions Of The Job:

• 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 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 record maintenance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public works as applied to the administration of diversified development activities.
• Knowledge of research principles and the various sources of data and information concerning municipal/governmental statistics and administration.
• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of County and State policies and procedures applicable to project approvals and funding.
   

Essential Skills Necessary To Perform The Work:

• Organizational and planning skills in determining departmental needs, priorities and overseeing departmental projects.
• Skill in both verbal and written communications for effective expression of concepts and ideas and clarity in task assignment
• Ability to conduct verbal or written presentations to all levels of City employees, elected officials and general public.
• Public relation skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City administrative personnel, subordinate personnel and outside organizations and agencies
• Managing, overseeing, supervising and review the work of a large staff of subordinates and to provide direction and recommendation on difficult procedural and administrative problems.
• Ability to develop and implement departmental policy and procedure.
• Determining, planning, and establishing long range infrastructure needs and capital improvement requirements.  
• Problem solving skills involved in addressing design issues, resolution of conflicts, and the negotiation of agreements/contracts.
• Time management skills.
• Skilled in managing the financial resources, budget and fiscal needs of the department.
• Ability to apply critical thinking, judgment and appropriate decision making.

Work Environment:
 
This position is a high level managerial position engaged in a variety of administrative functions and responsibilities.  Work is performed in a normal municipal office setting and environment where there are minimal physical hazards and risks associated with the performance of essential job functions.  Responsibilities of the job may involve some occasional disagreeable interactions.
 
Physical Job Requirements:

Employee is required to frequently sit, talk, listen, hear, and use hands/fingers dexterously; occasionally reaches with hands and arms, stands and/or walks.  Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Compensation Information:

This position is a non-union, executive-level position.   The full 2026 salary range is $142,000 to $181,150 with starting salary dependent on qualifications.  Pending job classification and compensation study may impact salary range.  The City of IGH offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, disability, and PERA pension.

Recruitment Timeline:

• Applications accepted Sunday, November 15 at 11:59 p.m.
• First interviews: Monday, November 23
• Second interviews: Monday, November 30