ENGINEERING DIRECTOR

Village of Downers Grove; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 137,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

IMRF participation

Job summary

The Village of Downers Grove is seeking an Engineering Director to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the Engineering functions of the Village; supervise professional staff; develop and administer the department budget; and ensure service quality, regulatory compliance, and achievement of goals.

A successful candidate will be skilled in project management, with strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to identify and implement new concepts and forward-looking opportunities for Village

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of engineering design/review processes.
• Ability to manage a team of engineers, technicians, and administrative staff.
• Proven ability to complete multiple capital improvement projects on schedule and on budget.
• Demonstrate exceptional presentation, writing, and other communication skills.
• Operate in a collaborative decision-making environment and work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop trust, respect, and credibility with Village staff and partners.
• Skilled in management of union employees.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the Engineering functions of the Village.
• Supervise professional staff and administer the department budget.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and best practices in engineering services.
• Recruit, evaluate, and manage department personnel and staffing needs.
• Oversee preparation of records, reports, and analyses to monitor department goals.
• Lead policy development and interdepartmental coordination for Village projects.

Skills

Engineering design processes

Team leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Union management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Engineering Director

The Village of Downers Grove is seeking an Engineering Director to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the Engineering functions of the Village; supervise professional staff; develop and recommend a budget for the department; and administer the approved budget. A successful candidate will be skilled in project management, with strong interpersonal relationship skills, and the ability to identify and implement new concepts and recommend forward-looking opportunities to Village leadership.

Major Duties and Functions

• Formulates and approves short and long-term goals, objectives, plans, and budgets for all Engineering functions, to include developing, presenting, and securing approval of fiscal year budgets and goals for the Community Investment Program; monitors progress to goals, objectives, and budgets; and makes necessary adjustments.
• Ensures the Engineering Department is in compliance with applicable Village, county, state, and federal regulations; initiates corrective action, as necessary.
• Defines qualifications, responsibilities, and functions of Engineering jobs; assists supervisors in establishing staffing requirements.
• Develops, secures approval of, and implements policies and procedures within the Engineering Department.
• Directs and/or conducts determination of need and cost-benefit studies; authorizes purchase of major capital equipment.
• Continuously evaluates the quality of Engineering services; meets regularly with Village staff to discuss and implement resolution to Engineering service problems.
• Oversees safety and technical training programs for the department.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, counsels, evaluates the performance of, disciplines, and discharges subordinate personnel; assists subordinate supervisors in resolving complex employee relations problems.
• Directs, coordinates, and oversees production of departmental records, reports, and analyses; reviews and interprets statistical reports and records to ascertain extent to which Engineering department goals are being attained.
• Participates in the development of Village-wide goals, plans, and objectives; provides technical assistance on public works issues facing the Village Council.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the Engineering field in order to enhance professional expertise by reading appropriate journals and other literature and attending seminars, conferences, and so forth.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and public relations with outside organizations; represents the Engineering department as appropriate in its relationships with Village residents, civic groups, governmental agencies, other municipalities, professional organizations, and so forth.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required

• Strong knowledge of engineering design/review processes and procedures
• Ability to manage a team of engineers, engineering technicians, and administrative staff
• Proven ability to complete multiple capital improvement projects on schedule and on budget
• Demonstrate exceptional presentation, writing, and other communication skills
• Operate in a collaborative decision-making environment and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams to achieve common goals
• Ability to develop trust, respect, and credibility with Village staff, contractual partners, and members of the community
• Skilled in management of union employees

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field required. Master’s degree preferred, with at least six to ten years of progressively responsible experience in Civil Engineering, preferably in a local government setting, and at least three of those years in a supervisory/management position. A combination of education and experience that produces the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is also acceptable.

Licenses and Certifications

• State of Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer (P. E.)
• Valid Illinois Driver’s License
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred

Salary and Benefits

The full salary range for the exempt position is $137,125 to $188,546. The Village provides an excellent benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Review the Benefits Summary for additional details.

The position is open until filled.

The Village of Downers Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).