Public Works Superintendent

City-of-Belgrad; Belgrade (MT); On-site; USD 94,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Belgrade is seeking a Public Works Superintendent to oversee the Water, Water Reclamation, Stormwater, and Streets divisions. You will supervise crews, manage projects, and ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining critical city infrastructure.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, planning, and emergency response capabilities, with a focus on safety and efficient service delivery within the community.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Must have several years of management experience in municipal infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Supervise crews and coordinate maintenance, repair, and construction of streets and utility systems.
• Direct daily operations, schedule work, ensure compliance with safety and regulations.
• Assist planning and budgeting for public works projects and manage relationships with contractors and agencies.
• Oversee safety programs and staff training.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate repairs during incidents.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Emergency response coordination

Operations oversight

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in public administration/engineering/construction management

Tools

MS Office

CMMS/maintenance management systems

Job description

• Location PO Box 810,Belgrade, MT, 59714,United States
• Base Pay $94,434.60 - $117,613.67 / Year
• Relocation Expense Covered Yes
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree High school
• Manage Others Yes

• Name Becky Wilbert
• Phone [phone]

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 22, 2026

Summary of Position:

The Public Works Superintendent is responsible for the daily supervision, operational oversight, and project management of the Water, Water Reclamation, Stormwater, and Streets divisions within the Public Works Department. This position ensures the effective and efficient delivery of essential municipal services, compliance with regulatory standards, and the safety and maintenance of public infrastructure. The Public Works Superintendent leads field operations, manages personnel and department safety, coordinates maintenance and construction activities, and collaborates with other departments and outside agencies.

Job Description/ Essential Duties:

These job functions are the essential duties of the position and are not all-inclusive of all the duties the incumbent may be assigned

• Supervise, plan, and coordinate the activities of crews responsible for the maintenance, repair, and construction of streets, water production and distribution systems, stormwater collection, and water reclamation collection and treatment systems.
• Direct daily operations, schedule work assignments, and ensure compliance with City policies, safety protocols, risk management procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assists the Director of Public Works and City Engineer with planning, coordinating, and supporting the management of public works projects from initiation through completion, including developing schedules and budgets, coordinating contractors and internal resources, monitoring progress, ensuring quality and compliance, and communicating project status to the Director and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs for water, water reclamation, stormwater, and street infrastructure, including valves, hydrants, pumps, lift stations, main and service lines, manholes, roads, sidewalks, signing, signals, etc.
• Oversee safety procedures and staff training in accordance with existing policies; develop and implement additional policies.
• Respond to and manage emergency events and repairs, including but not limited to, water main breaks, sewer overflows, and inclement weather events, including snow and ice removal.
• Monitor system performance and infrastructure conditions; recommend and implement improvements to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Prepare and manage operational budgets, track expenditures, and procure equipment, tools, and materials in accordance with City policies.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports on inspections, work orders, compliance activities, and personnel performance.
• Serve as liaison with contractors, utility companies, regulatory agencies, and the public, address complaints and service inquiries professionally and promptly.
• Ensure staff receive proper training in technical procedures, safety practices, and equipment operation.
• Participate in the development and review of department policies, procedures, and long-term capital improvement plans.
• Recommend purchases for new and replacement equipment.
• Promote programs through marketing, public relations, and community outreach.
• Prepare reports and present program outcomes and recommendations to city leadership.
• Develop and administer policies and procedures as they relate to the efficiency and effectiveness of public education programs.
• Control costs throughout the fiscal year to remain within budget projections.
• Work under limited supervision, independently resolving most routine problems but informing the Director of Public Works of unusual or controversial problems.
• Maintain public contact, including receiving and answering citizen complaints or questions regarding various aspects of public works services, including coordinating public service announcements regarding upcoming events, and other related public information.
• May assist the Director of Public Works with various duties as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Develop training options and improvement plans to ensure exemplary operations in the department.
• Evaluate job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
• Recruit, train, and supervise personnel and make sound recommendations related to personnel placement, transfer, retention and dismissal.
• Attend professional growth activities to keep abreast of innovations in the department.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Education, Experience and Training:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required. A bachelor’s degree in public administration, engineering, construction management, or a related field is preferred; and
• At least five (5) years of experience in construction, maintenance, or repair of municipal related infrastructure; and
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience; or
• Any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Successful management and leadership experience working in a city, county, or state government.
• Current Class A CDL is preferred but may be obtained within one (1) year of employment.

Special Requirements/Licenses or Certificates:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have the ability to obtain a Class A Montana Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air brake and tanker endorsement within one (1) year of employment.
• Must be a certified Municipal weed spray applicator or have the ability to obtain certification within six (12) months of start date.
• Must possess a Montana Flagger’s Certification or obtain it within six (6) months of start date.
• Required to obtain licensure as Certified Water Operator Class 1A and 3B and Wastewater Operator Class 1C within one (1) year of start date.
• Offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check, reference checks, driving record check, and DOT drug screen.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Related to this Position:

• Extensive knowledge of water, water reclamation, stormwater, and street maintenance procedures, equipment, and regulatory standards.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to read blueprints, interpret technical documents, and use computer-based maintenance management systems.
• Ability to utilize electronic technology, such as smartphones, tablets, or personal computers, used to perform the duties of the position.
• Proficiency in project management, scheduling, and estimation.
• Experience with emergency response coordination and incident management.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Possess active listening skills.
• Ability to provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Public Works Department.
• Ability to develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient Public Works services.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory and technical personnel and to delegate authority and responsibility.
• Ability to identify and respond to community, City Management, and City Council issues, concerns, and needs.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Ability to assist the Director of Public Works with the preparation and administration of a large and complex budget and allocation of limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations ranging from simple to sometimes complex.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word) and the ability to learn and utilize various construction, engineering, and asset management software and databases.
• Ability to write and present clear and concise administrative reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations as they relate to the position.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Summary

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Motorized vehicles and equipment, including dump truck, water truck, pickup truck, utility truck, street sweeper, jetter/inductor truck, street roller, manlift, tamper, plate compactor, saws, pumps, compressors, sanders, generators, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, ditch witch.
• Operates modern office machines and equipment, including personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephone system and calculators. Must be able to routinely use a full range of software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and a variety of standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have manual dexterity to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and smell.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration.
• The noise level ranges from quiet to moderate to potentially loud in construction and building areas.
• Position requires ability to work outside for lengthy periods of time and be exposed to varying weather extremes.
• The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
• Employee may be required to wear facial respirators and will be required to comply with safety requirements, which may include the removal of long beards, facial hair, piercings, and jewelry.
• Duties require extended periods of walking, standing, talking, or hearing, keyboarding, lifting/carrying items, reaching with hands and arms, and manual dexterity to handle office related machines and tools.
• Duties require occasional periods of sitting, climbing, or balancing, pulling/pushing items, and stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling.
• Hazards are minor and controllable, but can include exposure to cramped quarters, human error, and angry/hostile humans.
• Ability to perform body movements applicable to records management in an office environment.
• Possession of hand/eye coordination adequate to operate a computer and calculator.
• Have the ability to talk and hear in person and by telephone; ability to see and read instructions, spreadsheets, reference materials and computer reports.
• Employee treats all customers and coworkers with respect, dignity, and honesty and manages relationships and communications in a way that promotes the interests of all parties.
• Employee works through adversity in a productive and positive manner.
• Employee shows nonjudgmental respect for all other’s perspectives.
• Employee appreciates the uniqueness, commonalities, and value of others.
• Employee maintains an appropriate level of transparency in their work and interactions with others.
• Employee stops disparaging remarks about others and does not participate in these remarks in front of the public or during work time.
• Employee does not hinder, obstruct, or interfere with the work of other employees.
• Employee does not show poor attitude (for example, rudeness or lack of cooperation) with others or supervisors by failing to perform reasonable requests, being insubordinate, or refusing to comply with instruction given.
• Employee does not abuse the use of materials, time, equipment, or property of the City.
• Employee’s performance does not fall below average in quantity or quality in relation to the requirements of the job.

Additional behavioral expectations for Supervisory staff:

• Supervisor manages all subordinates fairly and consistently and without favoritism or prejudice.
• Supervisor works as a neutral party to mediate difficult employee relations and/or gets HR involved when necessary.
• Supervisor exhibits behaviors that are consistent with the City’s core values.
• Supervisor listens actively and empathetically to the views of all staff and the public.
• Supervisor responds to all reports of unethical behavior or conflicts of interest and gets HR involved when necessary.

Safety Related Duties:

• Follow the City’s and department’s work practices.
• Report occupational injuries, illnesses, and near misses immediately to Supervisor.
• Follow supervisor instructions for obtaining first aid or medical attention.
• Participate in accident investigations as required.
• Participate in safety training.
• Suggest improvements in safety training requirements or programs to Supervisor.
• Identify unsafe work conditions and unsafe practices. Correct hazards or report them to Supervisor as appropriate.

The job description is an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position and are not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The job description represents typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully, with or without reasonable accommodation. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.