Deputy Director / City Engineer

City of Appleton Wisconsin; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long‑Term Disability Insurance

Wisconsin Retirement System

Vacation/Paid Time‑Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

City of Appleton Wisconsin invites an experienced Deputy Director/City Engineer to lead the Engineering, Traffic, and Parking functions within the Department of Public Works. You will set strategic direction, oversee major capital projects, and guide staff and consultants.

You will balance technical, financial, regulatory, and community needs, manage budgets, engage with officials and the public, and help advance city infrastructure and services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and Wisconsin PE registration are required.
• Eight+ years of progressively responsible civil/municipal engineering experience with leadership experience.
• Strong communication, budgeting, and strategic planning skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for Engineering, Traffic, and Parking functions.
• Develops and manages operating and capital budgets; prioritizes projects.
• Leads long-range infrastructure and capital improvement strategies; coordinates with departments and stakeholders.
• Reviews engineering studies, designs, and specifications for compliance and quality.
• Represents the department at committees and with city leadership and the public.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Wisconsin Professional Engineer (PE) registration

8+ years of progressive professional experience

Tools

Engineering software

Job description

Job Description

This is a management, professional, and administrative position responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of the Engineering, Traffic, and Parking functions of the Department of Public Works. The position provides technical and administrative leadership for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of public infrastructure, transportation systems, parking facilities, and related programs. The Deputy Director/City Engineer assists the Director of Public Works in the overall administration and management of the department and serves as a key member of the department’s senior leadership team. The position is responsible for coordinating major capital improvement initiatives, managing operating and capital budgets, establishing priorities, developing and updating policies and procedures, overseeing staff and consultants, and providing professional engineering and operational guidance to city leadership, elected officials, other departments, developers, contractors, and the public.

The position requires the ability to balance technical, operational, financial, regulatory, and community considerations in making recommendations and decisions that advance the city's infrastructure, transportation, development, and service-delivery objectives. The Deputy Director/City Engineer works under the general direction of the Director of Public Works and exercises considerable independent judgment in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides leadership, direction, and oversight for the Engineering Section, Traffic Section, and Parking Utility, including their operating budgets, and assists the Director of Public Works in the overall management of the department.
• Establishes divisional priorities, allocates personnel and financial resources, and monitors progress toward organizational and departmental objectives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with city leadership, elected officials, department heads, employees, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, developers, and members of the public.
• Leads long‑range infrastructure and capital improvement strategies and plans consistent with city goals, available resources, regulatory requirements, and anticipated community needs.
• Coordinates project activities with other city departments, governmental agencies, utilities, consultants, contractors, developers, and community stakeholders.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Department of Public Works annual budget and long‑range financial planning while identifying and evaluating potential funding sources, grants, partnerships, and other opportunities to advance capital projects and infrastructure initiatives.
• Reviews and evaluates engineering studies, designs, specifications, reports, estimates, and recommendations prepared by staff and consultants.
• Maintains knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, codes, standards, and industry practices related to public municipal engineering, public infrastructure, transportation, and public rights‑of‑way. Maintains familiarity with municipal engineering infrastructure standard practices and industry standards.
• Develops, reviews and updates departmental and divisional procedures, policies, standards, and practices to promote regulatory compliance and sound engineering practice.
• Provides engineering leadership and oversight for the review of development proposals, subdivision plans, site plans, utility plans, and related public infrastructure improvements for compliance with City requirements, adopted standards, and applicable regulations.
• Promotes a workplace culture characterized by accountability, collaboration, professionalism, continuous improvement, and effective communication.
• Participates in recruitment, selection, onboarding, training, performance management, succession planning, and employee development and identifies opportunities to strengthen organizational knowledge, leadership capacity, and technical expertise.
• Provides direct supervision of the managers of the Engineering Section, Traffic Section, Engineering Technician Section, and Parking Utility, including responsibility for direction, training, performance management, professional development, succession planning, and participation in recruitment, selection, onboarding, discipline, and retention activities, as appropriate.
• Representative of the department at City Plan Commission and Municipal Services Committee meetings, and other committee, commission, board and Common Council meetings as assigned.
• Maintains regular, punctual, and predictable attendance, and works additional hours as required to meet operational and organizational needs.

Other Job Functions

• Assists the Director of Public Works with special projects, strategic initiatives, and departmental priorities.
• Provides backup leadership for the Department in the absence of the Director of Public Works, as assigned.
• Serves as an expert witness or technical representative on behalf of the city, when appropriate.
• Participates in emergency response and continuity‑of‑operations activities.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field, a Wisconsin Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration required, at least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in civil or municipal engineering, public works, project management or related field, including significant experience in supervision, administration, or leadership, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to municipal infrastructure and public works projects and public rights of way.
• Ability to lead, organize and direct the work of professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee various complex projects involving multiple departments, agencies, consultants, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Understand and communicate the financial, operational, technical, and community implications of infrastructure and policy decisions. Exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions including when dealing with competing priorities and incomplete information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with personnel at various levels within and outside the organization.
• Ability to handle difficult or sensitive public contacts and resolve concerns in a courteous, professional, and tactful manner.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and recognize long‑term implications of operational and policy decisions.
• Ability to use computer, engineering software, financial systems, asset management systems, and other technology necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment.
• Possess valid driver's license and good driving record.

Competencies

Communication

Visionary

Political Savvy

Strategic Skills

Decision Maker

To learn more about these competencies click here

Employee Benefits

Employees in this class are afforded full benefits including, but not limited to:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
• Vacation/Paid Time‑Off
• Paid Holidays

To view the current Benefits Booklet online, click here.

For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, click here.