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Home My WebLink AboutPublic Works DirectorUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Public Works Director Department: Public Works Division: Administration Supervisor: City Manager FLSA: Exempt Civil Service: No Pay Grade: 34 Job Number: 3404 Job Summary Directs the operational, ﬁnancial, and personnel activities of seven divisions in the Public Works Department, including Administration, Engineering, Equipment, Resource Management, Streets, Wastewater and Water. Assists the City Manager in developing strategies to meet state and federal mandates, accommodate community growth, and maintain an aging infrastructure. Represents the department before the City Council, the general public and the media. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Directs and reviews the work of seven Public Works divisions. • Provides managerial and technical advice and oversees development of division supervisory staﬀ. • Serves on and attends staﬀ and committee meetings to provide technical advice and develop reports and recommendations. • Develops, administers and monitors Public Works budget and approves expenditures. • Assists the City Manager in developing Public Works policy recommendations to the City Council. • Plans long range department goals in conjunction with City Council strategic plan. • Recommends Capital Improvement Projects, develops and submits City Council agenda items to the City Manager and makes oral presentations and answers questions at City Council and Commission meetings. • Advises the City Manager on necessity, desirability and feasibility of expanding and/or improving the City's Public Works infrastructure. • Responds to and resolves inquiries, requests, and complaints from the public and outside agencies or groups regarding Public Works matters. • Serves as the City's representative with various regional, state and federal regulatory agencies. • Develops and rewrites ordinances regulating municipal utilities. • Develops and administers a variety of professional consultant contracts. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and six years of related experience; or ten years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in Civil Engineering. Experience in public works administration. Supervisory experience. • National Incident Management System Training ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, IS 800, ICS 300, ICS 400 within two years of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Must reside in the municipal limits of the City of Iowa City. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and eight years of related experience; or twelve years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. • State of Iowa Professional Engineer license in the ﬁeld of civil engineering. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. • Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientiﬁc thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. • Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. • Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientiﬁc equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most diﬃcult phases. • Ability to develop and present mathematical budget information. • Ability to make eﬀective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or commissions, or elected oﬃcials. • Ability to plan eﬀectively, motivate tactfully, utilize staﬀ eﬃciently and be sensitive to the concerns of the public. • Ability to read and understand technical materials, reports, and journals. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to respond eﬀectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. • Ability to write reports and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. • Knowledge of civil engineering principles, street construction and maintenance requirements, traﬃc control devices, water and wastewater treatment, water distribution and sewer collection systems, storm water systems, landﬁll, waste collection and recycling systems, and public works facility operations. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). • Skills in leadership, management, negotiation, oral and written communication, problem solving, and decision making. Supervision Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include supervising subordinate supervisors and direct reports include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant work pace pressure. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, 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. Reviewed/Approved by: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director (4/2024) Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) and requirements of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________