Assistant Director of Public Works (Capital Improvement Program)

Rated as one of the best places to live in Texas by Niche, Travis County boasts top rates schools and unique locations such as Barton Springs Pool, the Hamilton Pool Preserve, and Formula 1 events. With an average home value of approximately $519,000 (per Zillow), Travis County is ranked the best county for young professionals in Texas and the second healthiest county in Texas. Travis County houses Austin, the capital of Texas, and has breathtaking outdoor escapes; there’s something for everyone in Travis County.

Travis County's Transportation and Natural Resources (TNR) department is seeking to fill the Assistant Director of Public Works (Capital Improvement Program) position with an authentic and dynamic leader. The ideal candidate will be based in Travis County or surrounding region, or be open to relocating to the area. This position is eligible for remote/hybrid work, however, Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions and normal work schedules.

The model candidate should have a proven track record of managing and directing the Capital Improvement Program of Public Works and ensuring consistent and effective execution of systems and processes that makes optimal use of department and organizational resources. This candidate will meet the ever-changing needs of a highly visible and complex department which oversees projects over $100 million a year. A total of six (6) Sr. Engineers (Project Managers) and a Project Management Consultant report to the Assistant Director, along with a team of four (4) Engineering Inspector Specialists.

The position is ideal for a leader with innovation; one who establishes vision and direction, fosters and builds team confidence, and has the ability to motivate others to reach a common goal. To be successful in this position the ideal candidate must be proactive, embrace and lead change, and be people centric. Having the ability to lead with tenacity and diplomacy is essential in this role. Applicants that fit this profile and have a strong background in governmental public works and are innovative, collaborative leaders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Summary
The Assistant Director of Public Works is a vital member of the TNR management team and will direct the development and implementation of the TNR Capital Improvement Program, which includes overseeing design, construction, inspection, and project management of projects over $100M a year. The Assistant Director manages the program development and implementation for complex capital projects including technical standards, service level, scopes, schedules and budgets; allocating staffing, resources and equipment; quality assurance and control; develops policy and procedures: professional service procurement and management; construction administration; construction inspection; personnel management; coordinate and works closely with department head, commissioners and outside agencies. This role will direct and supervise interdisciplinary groups of professional and technical staffs; monitor and oversee services/product deliveries for compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and efficiently direct and manage the TNR Capital Improvement Program to achieve organization goals of enhancing transportation system, reducing traffic congestion, improving transportation safety, encouraging multi-modal transportation; building and maintaining public works infrastructures; and developing natural trails and parks.

The position provides leadership and guidance to not only the CIP work group, but County Officials, Department Heads and Outside Agencies. To drive impact, the Assistant Public Works Director has to be a forward and critical thinker that operates with integrity, personal and team accountability, and functions as a leader in innovation. This job classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department and typically directs through subordinate managers and supervisors.


What additional responsibilities will you be expected to do in this role?

• Direct, execute and manage the TNR Capital Improvement Program for multiple projects totaling over $100M every year.
• Plan, organize, review and evaluate the activities, functions and operations of the program group as well as the General Engineering Consultant and Program Management Consultant firms.
• Communicate with other departments and agencies. Manage resources to ensure the completion of projects on schedule and under budget.
• Supervise professional and technical staff, setting performance expectations, evaluate performance results and implement improvement measures.
• Monitor project progress and resolve obstacles. Prepare program status and performance reports. Review alignment with County priorities and community expectations.
• Determine professional, technical services and procurement requirements and confer with and advise staff on technical and management issues.
• Coordinates and works closely with officials, department heads, multiple outside suppliers, other County staff and outside agencies. May negotiate with private professional consultant firms for outsourcing work.
• Develops, manages, and controls division’s work programs, schedules, budgets, and personnel. Plans future budgetary requirements for the Program. Purchases, monitors, and maintains fixed assets common to the Program.
• Evaluates and reports on Program performance. Prepares process analyses and uses statistical process controls to continually improve quality of processes and output.
• Monitors and oversees that services delivered are in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and applicable standards and procedures established by the State, Commissioners Court and the department.
• Develops and monitors policies and operating procedures related to the Program. Implements, communicates, and effectively utilizes department policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with other division directors, departments, agencies, and organizations to accomplish division/department goals and objectives.
• Negotiates and oversees service contracts and supplemental agreements and services assuring financial integrity.
• Analyzes division program initiatives, determines strategies, prioritizes implementation, and ensures high quality delivery through appropriate tracking and feedback processes.
• Defines, prioritizes, schedules, and monitors multiple operations projects, developing and maintaining comprehensive project plans/schedules.
• Reviews and analyzes annual contract deliverables. Develops project resource strategies, allocating budget, staff, and tools necessary for implementation of projects. Reports metrics and service deliverables to ensure quality and satisfaction.
• Prepares and delivers briefings, program updates, and formal presentations to the Commissioners Court, and acts as a subject matter expert during Commissioner Court sessions, answering inquiries, and advocating departmental initiatives.
• Serves as liaison with State and Federal authorities and other Local organizations to ensure coordination. Serves as key liaison between Public Works Director, County Executive, Commissioners Court, and operations staff.
• Works with peers from across the County on common issues and develops relationships with professional organizations, peer groups and industry trade groups to stay current on best practices.
• Represents the County by attending meetings, community meetings, seminars, conferences, and professional association meetings.

The ideal candidate…
• Has strong customer service skills.
• Has experience reviewing the work of others.
• Is an effective communicator.
• Is a relationship builder.
• Is results-oriented.
• Is timely.
• Is collaborative.
• Is objective.
• Is resilient.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have the ability to successfully manage competing demands and priorities, empower and motivate diverse teams with varying skill sets, all while striving to deliver services in an efficient and quality manner.

Education and Experience: 
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, AND seven (7) years of directly related, increasingly responsible senior level management experience, including four (4) years of mid- to senior level supervisory/management or project management experience; OR any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job. 

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Incumbents must be licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. If licensed in another state, must acquire license reciprocity in the State of Texas within six (6) months of date of hire.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Knowledge of: 

• Standard management theory, principles, practices, and techniques.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• State, Federal, County and Local regulatory or administrative requirements and practices.
• Principles and practices, programs, systems, methods and techniques of municipal public works, including planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance.
• Technical, legal, financial and public relation problems involved in the conduct of a municipal public works program.
• Principles of project management, including scheduling, estimating, contracts and budgeting.
• Theory, principles, practices and methods of state and local public engineering, construction, street maintenance and contract administration.
• Budgetary and fiscal process.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Online computer searches.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, windows, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Improving seamless customer service delivery.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with the community, employees and other agencies.
• Analyzing and evaluating complex data and reports.
• Contract compliance and dispute resolution.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Work design, time management, facilitation and managing budgets.
• Resolving leadership/management issues, including planning and managing teams.
• Planning and coordinating work activities.
• Researching, analyzing, compiling, preparing and presenting technical data/information and reports.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Public speaking and content delivery.
• Conflict resolution and community relations.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work independently or as a team member within a diverse organization.
• Plan, organize, prioritize needs, develop and implement plans of action, and effectively direct programs.
• Coach, mentor and motivate staff.
• Perform technical research, calculations and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
• Convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing. ? Plan, assign, supervise, train and review the work of professional, technical and support staff members.
• Read and understand basic legal documents.
• Interpret plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures and regulatory codes.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions even where there is uncertainty.
• Manage time well, work on a wide variety of tasks simultaneously, organize diverse activities, and produce timely and tangible results.
• Anticipate future requirements, and research and analyze emerging programs.
• Conduct and prepare feasibility studies.
• Develop proposals including estimates for resource usage.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the professional community.
• Perform in a fast-paced and stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Make appropriate and effective public presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, developers, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Compensation and Benefits: 
The approved salary range for this position is $120,000 – $150,000, and is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. Travis County offers excellent benefits, including a retirement plan in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) with a 2.25:1 match ($2.25 for every $1 an employee deposits), and an 8 year vesting schedule. Travis County now also provides benefits to employees for Paid Parental Leave. This position is eligible for remote/hybrid work, however, Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions and normal work schedules.

For more information on employee benefits, visit the County’s benefits page: https://traviscentral.traviscountytx.gov/hr-1/benefits.

Application Process: 
The final filing date is Friday, September 4, 2026. To be considered, submit a cover letter, list of six work-related references (who will not be contacted without prior notice), and a resume that reflects the size of staff and budgets you have managed. Your resume should indicate both months and years of beginning/ending dates of positions held. To apply visit: https://www.cpshr.us/recruitment/2652

For additional information about this position please contact:

KYLIE WILSON
Principal HR Consultant
CPS HR Consulting
[email protected]
Website: www.cpshr.us


Resumes will be reviewed by the consultant and sent to the County for further consideration. Candidates deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be invited to interview with the County. A comprehensive reference and background check will be performed on final candidate.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation, parts, and tools or machinery. Requires use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves. Requires fieldwork, and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, construction site hazards, climbing and walking and traveling over rough, uneven, mud, rocky, high grass terrain, and indoors/outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold). 

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.