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Public Works Director

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Public Works Director

Salary

$119,798.00 - $185,942.00 Annually

Location

50010, IA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

25-6232-01

Department

Public Works

Division

Public Works Administration

Opening Date

05/12/2025

Closing Date

6/6/2025 12:00 PM Central

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

MERIT

Residency Requirement?

Yes

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information

The City of Ames is searching for an exceptional candidate to fill the opening for Director of Public Works. In this complex role, the candidate will plan, directs and coordinate the overall operations of the public works department; including staff, budget, and project management for a wide variety of construction and maintenance projects.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Compensation Philosophy:

The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy for our merit salary ranges that provides growth for employees as they gain experience and expertise in their roles. The minimum pay of each range is intended to reflect an employee's qualifications that meet the position's minimum requirements. The median of any range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial or extensive training. The City may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills that are above the minimum requirements when considering a salary closer to the median. The median salary for this position is $152,871..

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits (https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-a-h/human-resources/employee-benefits)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:

PSLF Program (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation)

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Examples of Essential Job Functions: Plans, directs, and coordinates all activities of the public works department; utilizes departmental facilities, equipment, and personnel to accomplish directives identified by the City Council and City Manager; coordinates activities of divisions within the department and acts as a consultant for other City departments; works with subordinate supervisors to identify operating, maintenance, and/or construction problems and initiate appropriate corrective actions; prepares and administers annual budget for department; prepares reports concerning department operations and costs for the City Council, City Manager, and regulatory agencies; confers with technical and engineering personnel relative to plans and specifications for construction projects; maintains favorable public relations; evaluates and approves purchase and job orders; participates in union and employee relations activities; reviews and provides oversight for staff technical and safety training programs; serves as liaison between adjoining municipalities, counties, state, and federal agencies; coordinates with developments relative to public infrastructure and other regulations and duties involve travel to various locations and facilities.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Other Job Functions: Resolves difficult customer complaints.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, and minimum of five years of management-level experience in the operation, maintenance, and supervision in a public works department; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses and Certificates: Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Iowa within six months of appointment. Valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering, particularly as applicable to public works operations; comprehensive knowledge of the design and construction of general public works projects; considerable knowledge of the relation of public works services and facilities to local planning and zoning; considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of administrative management.

Comprehensive skill in analyzing and negotiating critical engineering issues, with demonstrated creativity, foresight and mature engineering judgment in anticipating and solving unprecedented engineering problems, determining objectives and requirements, organizing programs and projects, and developing standards and guides for diverse engineering activities.

Marked ability to plan and supervise the work of technical and professional personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale; marked ability to supervise the preparation and maintenance of engineering plans and records, and to make concise technical reports; marked ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other city, state and Federal engineering agencies and the public.

Supplemental Information

General Physical Characteristics: The work involves sitting 85 percent of the time; standing and walking 15 percent of the time; frequently lifting objects under 10 pounds; infrequently lifting objects from 10 to 25 pounds; and infrequently lifting objects from 25 to 50 pounds.

Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects or parts, use of measurement devices, or assembly of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Required Physical Activities: Climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, and hearing.

Environmental Conditions: The work is performed inside and occasionally outside and occasionally includes being exposed to noise and/or vibration.

Examples of Equipment Used on the Job: Two-way radio; telephone; a variety of general office equipment; a variety of visual aids; computers and peripheral equipment; communications and scheduling software; a variety of printed materials; a variety of safety equipment and clothing.

Members of the City's Executive Leadership Team are required to live within the corporate limits of Ames.

Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience; phone interview; on-site interview, which will include a manager meeting and written exercise; and completion of reference checks and a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

E-Verify Process:

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.