Director of Public Works

newhavenct.gov; New Haven (CT); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Job summary

City of New Haven is seeking a seasoned executive to serve as Director of Public Works, overseeing a broad range of operations including streets, bridges, refuse, snow removal, drainage, and fleet management. The role requires strong strategic and operational leadership, financial stewardship, and the ability to coordinate with city officials and external partners.

The successful candidate will manage a large, diverse workforce, direct capital and operating budgets, and lead department-wide

Qualifications

• Extensive management, financial oversight, and public works operations knowledge.
• Experience supervising diverse teams and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Department of Public Works operations including streets, bridges, refuse, snow removal, drainage and fleet management.
• Lead budgeting, procurement, and capital planning; ensure compliance with laws and safety standards.
• Coordinate emergency response for flooding, severe weather, and disasters with public safety agencies.

Job description

Introduction

The City of New Haven is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking executive to serve as Director of Public Works. This senior leadership position oversees the people, resources, infrastructure, and essential services that keep New Haven moving every day. Reporting to the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer, the Director leads a large, diverse workforce and is responsible for the strategic and operational management of critical City functions, including streets and sidewalks, bridges, refuse and recycling, snow removal, drainage, fleet operations, and emergency response.What We're Looking ForThe ideal candidate will bring strong executive leadership, sound judgment, and demonstrated success managing complex operations, budgets, personnel, and competing priorities. This is an opportunity for an experienced leader to have a direct and visible impact on the safety, reliability, and quality of the public infrastructure and services that New Haven residents, businesses, and visitors rely upon every day.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is a senior management-level position requiring substantial management, administrative, and technical expertise to direct and oversee the daily operations of the Department of Public Works. The position is appointed by the Mayor and reports to the Chief Administrative Officer.Work involves planning, directing, and coordinating work tasks associated with day-to-day maintenance of public rights of way, bridges (including mechanical movable bridges), citywide refuse collection and disposal, recycling, snow removal, fleet management, drainage, and other public works functions. The position is responsible for coordinating departmental emergency responses to flooding, snow, severe weather- infrastructure failure, and other emergencies that may occur at any time, and works closely with other public safety agencies and other City departments in responding to both natural and man‑made disasters.Within established policies of the City and under the general direction of the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer, the position exercises considerable judgement and initiative in establishing departmental priorities, administering operating and capital resources, coordinating work activities, supervising personnel, overseeing departmental finances, addressing personnel and operational issues, and communicating with elected officials, other governmental agencies, contractors, and members of the public. This role oversees all divisions within the Public Works Department, which typically includes over 100 full-time and 25 seasonal positions.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the planning, scheduling, implementation and evaluation of departmental resources and setting of priorities; leads subordinate managers in long-range planning and problem-solving responsibilities.
• Implements and oversees improvements for roads, sidewalks, bridges, drainage systems, public rights-of-way, and other infrastructure consistent with the responsibilities of the Department of Public Works to ensure safe and reliable use by the public.
• Directs staff and other resources in implementing maintenance procedures for the care and safe use of streets, sidewalks, bridges, public spaces, drainage systems, solid waste facilities, and fleet vehicles and equipment.
• Directs, implements, and manages all snow removal operations across the City’s 230+ miles of streets and related infrastructure.
• Coordinates and directs departmental emergency response to flooding, snow and severe weather events, infrastructure failures, natural and man‑made disasters, and other emergencies affecting public safety or public infrastructure.
• Directs and implements the Citywide refuse and recycling collection program and coordinates with the Solid Waste Authority on the operation of the City’s transfer station.
• Directs and implements all policies involving public works activities in accordance with City, State and Federal laws, regulations, and permit requirements.
• Directs all administrative efforts associated with annual budgets (operating and capital), ongoing financial management and accountability, procurement of outside federal and state resources, and financial reporting.
• Coordinates with other Departments where necessary to undertake improvements to the City’s public infrastructure.
• Manages communications with the Board of Alders, the media, and other public interests with regard to Public Works matters.
• Manages all public works personnel issues involving work assignments, labor relations, union issues, and working conditions consistent with Civil Service requirements, applicable collective bargaining agreements, OSHA requirements, and City workplace policies.
• Manages employee and labor relations matters within the department, including grievances, disciplinary matters, union meetings, and Loudermill proceedings; works in partnership with Labor Relations on collective bargaining matters, including contract negotiations and the administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Works collaboratively with Risk Management and other appropriate City staff to promote workplace safety, ensure compliance with applicable OSHA/CONN‑OSHA and other workplace safety requirements, reduce preventable incidents and injuries, and coordinate appropriate work assignments for employees with temporary work restrictions.
• Organizes departmental resources to implement responsibilities and operational priorities of the Department of Public Works.
• Attends meetings involving Public Works matters as directed by the Mayor or the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Instructs subordinates on policy matters and in the methods and procedures to be followed in carrying out various activities; confers with the departmental staff and instructs them in their work; identifies training needs and evaluates performance.
• Uses computers and departmental information systems to prepare, correspondence, schedules, reports, presentations, and various records.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with emphasis on Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree in Public or Business Administration is preferred. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible related financial and operational management experience, preferably in public sector/government, including a minimum of three (3) years supervisory experience managing large teams. Ideal candidate will have the ability to proactively identify operational challenges, anticipate future needs, and develop creative, effective, and efficient solutions to carry out responsibilities within available resources. In lieu of a college degree, an additional four years of directly related experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, operations, and management of municipal public works operations including refuse and recycling collection, waste disposal, street cleaning, snow removal, drainage, fleet operations, roadway and right of way maintenance, and emergency response.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices associated with the maintenance, operation, and improvement of public infrastructure, facilities, vehicles, and equipment.
• Considerable knowledge of the fleet and equipment used in municipal public works.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, permits, safety requirements, and industry standards affecting municipal public works operations and infrastructure maintenance.
• Considerable knowledge of organizational leadership, personnel administration, labor relations, and workforce management, including the management of employees in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, and manage a large and diverse municipal workforce across multiple work sites, through subordinate managers and supervisors; establish priorities; assign and coordinate resources; evaluate performance; and maintain effective and accountable operations.
• Ability to provide strategic and operational leadership, including long-range planning, establishment of departmental priorities, implementation of programs and projects, and evaluation and improvement of departmental services.
• Considerable knowledge of public‑sector financial management, including development and administration of operating and capital budgets, expenditure control, financial accountability, procurement, and contract administration.
• Considerable knowledge of intergovernmental funding sources, requirements, and administration and other forms of financial or technical assistance.
• Ability to analyze complex operational, administrative, personnel, and infrastructure‑related problems exercise sound judgement, establish priorities, and develop effective solutions particularly when working with limited resources or during emergency conditions.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and direct departmental response to snow and ice events, flooding, infrastructure failures, severe weather, and other emergencies requiring timely deployment of personnel, equipment, contractors, and other resources.
• Considerable knowledge of personnel management issues in a union environment.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees, department heads, labor representatives, elected and appointed officials; contractors, other stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, and to present complex operational, financial, and policy matters clearly to employees, City administration, contractors, elected officials, the media, community stakeholders, and the general public.
• Ability to exercise considerable judgment, discretion, initiative, and accountability in carrying out departmental responsibilities and representing the City on significant public works matters.
• Ability to effectively utilize standard office technologies to prepare and review reports, correspondence, documentation, and other communications. Familiarity with Microsoft Office for creating documents, spreadsheets, and reports.
• Ability to effectively utilize City‑approved software applications and technologies for GPS, fleet management, GIS, and other department‑specific purposes.
• Familiarity with email clients, calendar applications (e.g., Outlook, Gmail), and collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom) and for scheduling, managing correspondence, and facilitating meetings.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, integrity, accountability, professionalism, and sound judgment consistent with the responsibilities of a senior executive.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid Connecticut driver’s license at time of application and must maintain said license throughout duration of employment. Must maintain all licenses, certifications, qualifications, and training required by the City of New Haven and applicable federal and State of Connecticut laws and regulations for the performance of assigned duties. Must be available to respond to emergencies, severe weather, and other significant incidents outside of traditional working hours when required. Must meet applicable departmental requirements for the operation of Department vehicles and equipment. Elector status in the City of New Haven is required within six months of appointment.*

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical RequirementsAmount of TimeWorking EnvironmentAmount of TimeNoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3NoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3StandXWet / humid conditions (non-weather)XWalkXWork near moving mechanical partsXSitXWork in high, precarious placesXTouch, handle, or feelXFumes / airborne particlesXReach with hands & armsXToxic / caustic chemicalsXClimb or balanceXOutdoor weather conditionsXStoop, kneel, crouch, or crawlXExtreme cold (non-weather)XTalk or hearXRisk of electrical shockXTaste or smellXWork with explosivesXRisk of radiationXLifting or force to be exerted?VibrationXHow much andhow often?Amount of TimeDrives to various locations to perform assignmentsXNoneUnder 1/31/3 to 2/3Over 2/3Unstable, uneven, hazardous locations and groundsXUp to 10 poundsXUp to 25 poundsXAdditional InformationUp to 50 poundsXYESNOUp to 75 poundsXSafety-sensitiveXUp to 100 poundsXMore than 100 poundsX

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a 'General Fund' non-tested position. It is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor. The position has a four year term appointed by the Mayor. Candidates filling vacancies mid-term shall fill out the remainder of the existing term.*Elector status in the City of New Haven is required within six months of appointment. This provision may be eligible to be waived under certain circumstances and must be approved by the Board of Alders.The position fills the charter requirements of Director of Public Works.This position covered by the Executive Management & Confidential Employee Policy, available to review HERE.Benefit InformationEmployees become eligible to participate in the Medical & Dental benefit plan provided for Executive Management & Confidential Employees. Employees may elect a medical plan including prescription drug and dental coverage, for which employees must contribute a portion of the premium cost. Benefit information can be found online HERE, under the Executive Management & Confidential Employeesbanner.Eligible employees receive paid vacation, paid sick days, paid personal days, and paid holidays.Term Life Insurance of $120,000 and $100,000 AD&D is provided at no cost to the employee.All Executive Management hires after July 1, 2008 are covered by Social Security. They participate in the City's defined contribution plan; the City shall contribute 7.5% of base pay.The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification.It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. Submissions may be evaluated prior to a posted closing date, and a hiring decision may be made prior to the removal of the job posting.Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.