Deputy Director of Engineering

City of Menasha; Menasha (WI); On-site; USD 84,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Menasha seeks a Deputy Director of Engineering to lead the Engineering Division within Public Works. This senior role combines hands‑on technical work with management of a small team, overseeing street, stormwater, and sanitary sewer projects from design to completion.

Responsibilities include CIP administration, regulatory compliance, and coordination with officials, developers, and utilities, ensuring high‑quality, budget‑conscious infrastructure services for Menasha’s 18,000+

Qualifications

• Associate degree in civil engineering technology or equivalent; 6+ years in civil/municipal engineering.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license with good driving record.
• Certification in civil engineering technology (HTCP or NICET).
• Preferred: Bachelor’s in civil engineering; PE in Wisconsin; supervision experience.
• Experience with WisDOT Local Program, grants/loans, and MS4 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Engineering Division staff; set priorities and standards.
• Oversee CIP and full project lifecycle from needs assessment to close‑out.
• Develop design standards, specifications, and construction oversight.
• Coordinate with external agencies and internal departments on projects.
• Provide technical direction for traffic, stormwater, and water/sewer infrastructure.

Skills

Municipal civil engineering

Project management

Budget oversight

Design review

Contract administration

Communication

Staff supervision

Interagency coordination

Regulatory compliance

Conflict resolution

Education

Associate degree in civil engineering technology

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Wisconsin

Tools

GIS

MS Office

Job description

The Deputy Director of Engineering is a key member of the Public Works senior leadership team and leads the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. As the City’s primary municipal engineering professional, the position combines hands‑on technical work with managerial responsibility, supervising and developing a small team of technicians. The Deputy Director is responsible for the planning, design oversight, contract management, and long‑term maintenance of the City’s core infrastructure systems, including streets, traffic control devices, bridges, stormwater facilities, and sanitary sewers (collection system only). The position administers the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects through the full project lifecycle and ensures compliance with State of Wisconsin (DNR, WisDOT) and other applicable standards. The role carries high visibility through regular interaction with elected officials, developers, utilities, contractors, residents, other City departments, and external agencies.

The position supports the Public Works Department’s mission of forging a vibrant future for Menasha’s 18,000+ residents and visitors through high‑quality services and dependable infrastructure, delivering sustainable, budget‑conscious solutions with small‑town care.

Typical Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm

Salary Range: $84,299 - $107,699 (full range). The anticipated hiring range is $84,299 - $93,659; based on qualifications and experience. Offers above $93,659 require approval from the Personnel Committee and Common Council.

The following duties are representative of the work performed, not exhaustive. Other duties may be assigned to meet the needs of the City as needed.

Leadership & Administration

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Engineering Division staff, including work assignment, training, coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Establish division priorities, workflows, and performance standards consistent with departmental goals and available resources.
• Assist the Public Works Director with preparation and monitoring of the Engineering Division operating budget and capital improvement program (CIP) recommendations.
• Prepare and administer grant and loan applications and awards to support infrastructure projects and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including the preparation, submittal, and fulfillment of all required permits to the State of Wisconsin (WisDOT, WDNR, and other state agencies).
• Prepare or assist the preparation of reports, memos, and presentations for the Public Works Director, Board of Public Works, Common Council, and other City bodies.

Capital Project & Contract Management

• Oversee the full project lifecycle of City infrastructure projects: needs assessment, scoping, consultant selection, design review, bidding, contract award, construction administration, inspection coordination, change order review, pay request processing, and project close‑out.
• Develop and maintain design standards, construction specifications, and technical guidelines for City infrastructure projects.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, and quality to ensure timely and cost‑effective delivery of infrastructure improvements.
• Coordinate utility work, permitting, and interagency agreements related to capital projects.

Infrastructure Management

• Plan, prioritize, and oversee the long‑term maintenance and performance of City streets, stormwater infrastructure (including sewers, ponds, and related facilities), and sanitary sewer collection systems.
• Maintain and improve City infrastructure records, maps, GIS data layers, and asset management information.
• Provide technical direction on traffic signal systems, pavement management, and related operational support to the Municipal Operations Division.
• Identify infrastructure deficiencies, recommend corrective actions, and support prioritization of maintenance and rehabilitation needs.

Development Review & Technical Support

• Review private development proposals, site plans, and subdivision plans for compliance with City engineering standards, ordinances, and infrastructure requirements.
• Coordinate with Community Development and other departments on development‑related infrastructure issues, including right‑of‑way, stormwater management, and utility connections.
• Provide technical guidance and information to the public, developers, contractors, and other City staff regarding City infrastructure systems, special assessments, maps, and traffic control.

Coordination & External Relations

• Coordinate regularly with the Deputy Director of Municipal Operations, Public Works/Parks Superintendent, Menasha Utilities, Community Development, and other City departments to ensure seamless delivery of public works services.
• Represent the Department at Board of Public Works meetings, Common Council sessions, public hearings, and interagency meetings as directed by the Public Works Director.
• Serve as a primary technical contact with external agencies, including Winnebago County, WisDOT, WDNR, the Neenah‑Menasha Sewerage Commission, and neighboring communities on shared infrastructure and regulatory matters.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and concerns related to engineering and infrastructure matters in a professional and timely manner.
• Foster positive working relationships with consultants, contractors, developers, and the public consistent with the City’s commitment to small‑town care and responsive service.

Minimum Credentials

• Associate’s degree in civil engineering technology or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of technical training, education, and progressively responsible work experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in civil or municipal engineering involving infrastructure design, construction management, and project delivery.
• Current technical certification in a civil engineering technology area (such as WisDOT Highway Technician Certification Program (HTCP) or NICET).
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license with a good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Wisconsin.
• Experience supervising or leading technical staff and coordinating multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience delivering projects through the WisDOT Local Program and administering state or federal grants or loans.
• Experience with Wisconsin MS4 permit requirements and municipal stormwater program implementation.
• Experience with municipal sanitary sewer collection systems, including design, evaluation, rehabilitation, CMOM program requirements, and industrial sewer monitoring.
• Experience with bridge-related projects or coordination involving movable/lift bridges.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles, practices, and standards applicable to streets, stormwater management, and sanitary sewer systems.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and local permitting requirements.
• Strong project management, contract administration, and budget oversight skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications prepared by others and apply technical standards during design review and construction oversight.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate technical staff.
• Proficiency with engineering design software, GIS, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to effectively navigate and resolve conflicts with residents, contractors, elected officials, and other stakeholders through clear communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving.
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards and professional engineering practices in accordance with the Wisconsin Professional Engineer code of ethics and applicable regulations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and work collaboratively in a small‑city environment.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office environment at Menasha City Center, with regular field visits to construction sites and infrastructure locations. Conditions and schedule include:

• Exposure to typical construction and outdoor conditions during site inspections, including inclement weather, temperature extremes, dust, noise, and nearby traffic.
• Use of personal protective equipment, such as a hard hat, high‑visibility clothing, and safety footwear, on job sites.
• Occasional evening meetings, such as Common Council, Board of Public Works, community engagement meetings, and other public meetings.
• Availability for after‑hours response to emergencies such as flooding, main breaks, or storm damage; occasional overtime may be required.
• Lift up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.

Physical Demands

The physical demands below are representative of those an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of the job:

• Regularly sit, stand, walk, and use both hands to handle, touch, and grasp; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities include close and distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus, including extended computer work.
• Walk over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces, and climb into and out of trenches, structures, and vehicles where safe, in a variety of weather conditions.
• Drive to job sites and meetings throughout the municipality.
• Lift up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis.

This position description has been prepared to define the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. The City of Menasha retains the right to modify, add to, or delete from any portion of this description at its sole discretion. This document does not constitute a contract of employment.

The City of Menasha is an equal opportunity employer and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.