Superintendent of Streets & Bridges

Kappaalphapsi1911; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cambridge is seeking a Superintendent of Streets & Bridges to lead the maintenance of streets, sidewalks, sewers, stormwater, and related public‑way permits.

The role directs crews, manages winter operations, coordinates with departments and utilities, and reports on budgets and equipment. Evening and extended hours during emergencies are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor's preferred.
• Ten years in construction with five years supervising projects and personnel; five+ years in infrastructure.
• Three years in snow operations.
• Experience interpreting local, state, and federal laws related to accessibility, sewer use, and stormwater; knowledge of MUTCD.
• Experience with Complete Streets designs and street construction materials.

Responsibilities

• Direct, coordinate, and supervise street and sewer crews maintaining the public way.
• Manage sewer maintenance, emergency responses, and snow operations.
• Oversee winter weather operations and citywide snow/ice program.
• Oversee public‑way permitting, street openings, and coordination with City departments.
• Prepare and submit reports on capital equipment purchases, expenditures, and budgets.
• Oversee operation of construction equipment and repair/replace of parts and materials.
• Attend staff meetings and respond to public complaints.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Public works supervision

Emergency response coordination

Diversity inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or construction management

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

Massachusetts driver’s license (Class D)

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Streets & Bridges leads street, sidewalk, sewer, stormwater maintenance and repair and oversees public-way permitting to maintain City assets and manage use of the public way within the Department of Public Works. Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner of Operations, the role manages approximately 125 miles of streets, more than 200 miles of sidewalks, and 244 miles of pipelines; directs planning and operations for winter weather on City streets and sidewalks; and oversees permitting for roughly 2,000 projects annually. The role requires evening and extended hours during emergencies and major snow events.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Direct, coordinate, and supervise full-time employees engaged in street and sewer construction and maintenance within the public way; ensure the overall care of streets and public squares by overseeing construction, repair, and alterations; plan, schedule, and direct internal crews and oversee related contracts to maintain City sidewalks and roadways.
• Manage internal staff responsible for cleaning and maintaining City-owned catch basins, sewer and drain lines; manage sewer maintenance cleaning contracts; and maintain 24-hour availability to respond to emergency calls for sewer backups, emergency roadway defects, off-hours personnel needs, and snow and ice operations.
• Manage DPW's winter weather operations by monitoring weather reports and supervising City staff and contracted equipment during major snow events; direct the citywide snow and ice program encompassing preseason planning, storm response and deployment, post-storm operations, and oversight of snow clearing to maintain safe and unobstructed public ways; oversee salting and plowing across City roadways and sidewalks.
• Manage public-way permitting for construction and business use, including private and institutional construction projects impacting the public way and permits for business sidewalk use; manage and enforce public right-of-way work and occupancy permits including street and sidewalk openings, utility work, temporary obstructions, driveway permits, and curb cuts in coordination with relevant City departments and utilities; prepare and coordinate all documentation associated with the Street Preservation Offset Fee.
• Serve as a member of the Pole and Conduit Commission overseeing grants of locations within the public right-of-way.
• Review all repair, construction, and maintenance projects to evaluate the efficient use of equipment, parts, materials, and staff; monitor work in progress daily to ensure timely and proper project completion in conformance with applicable safety and health rules and regulations.
• Coordinate with the City Engineer, other City departments, and outside contractors on street and sewer construction projects.
• Prepare and submit reports and records on capital equipment purchases, expenditures, and fund accounting; prepare operating and capital budgets for the Commissioner.
• Oversee the operation of all construction equipment and related functions associated with street, sewer, and sidewalk maintenance, construction, and repair; manage all stock and control repair and replacement of parts and materials.
• Attend staff meetings to report on division operations, review policy issues, and exchange information; respond to public complaints regarding street, sewer, and sidewalk operations.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field preferred; equivalent combination of education and significant public works supervisory experience may substitute for a degree.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible construction industry experience, including at least five (5) years supervising projects and personnel and at least five (5) years in responsible charge of the design or construction of significant infrastructure projects.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in snow operations.
• Three (3) years of direct experience interpreting and implementing relevant local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to accessibility, sewer use, and stormwater management; good working knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as they relate to construction and maintenance in the public way.
• Experience implementing Complete Streets designs that emphasize superior accommodation for bicyclists and pedestrians; knowledge of construction materials, specifications, methods, processes, and techniques used in street construction, maintenance, and repair.
• Valid Massachusetts Class D driver's license required.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of procurement procedures for the design and construction of public works projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with superiors, subordinates, contractors, the public, and other City departments and government agencies.
• Demonstrated communication and community relations skills.
• Ability to work independently on routine tasks, manage recurring project cycles, and exercise sound professional judgment in all situations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of the Assistant Commissioner of Operations, receiving policy guidance and administrative direction and exercising substantial independent judgment in planning and executing operations; work is reviewed for compliance with applicable regulations, achievement of operational objectives, and quality of results.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Provides direct supervision to full-time employees including crew leaders and field staff; during major snow events, provides functional supervision of additional City staff and contracted units.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a professional office and outdoors including construction sites and congested City roadways in all weather conditions. The role requires evening and extended hours during emergencies and major snow events.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves frequent site visits requiring travel to and through active construction zones, and requires the ability to drive, walk, bend, squat, reach, and stretch.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application.

• Resume
• Cover letter
  

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.