Assistant Public Works Director

Salary: $48.42 - $60.53 Hourly
Location : City of Superior - Government Center 1316 N. 14th Street, Superior, WI
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 00367
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 09/18/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 11:00 PM Central

Job Definition

Purpose and Overview
The Assistant Public Works Director works under the direction of the Public Works Director to assist with planning , administration, and coordination of all activities of the Public Works Department. This position aids in the oversight of various public works operations, including Administration; Building Inspection; Wastewater; Stormwater; Street Maintenance and Construction; Buildings and Grounds; Traffic Signals and Signs; Refuse and Garbage Collection; Solid Waste Disposal; Parks, Recreation, and Forestry; Historic Properties; Shop Operations; and the Airport. The Assistant Director helps ensure the effective planning, budgeting, and implementation of public works projects and services.

This role is integral to maintaining the city's infrastructure, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and promoting efficient public service delivery.
Employment Standards

General Responsibilities

1. Assist with planning and directing activities of the Public Works.
2. Provide managerial supervision of daily operations through divisional managers.
3. Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for the Public Works Department.
4. Collaborate with the Public Works Director on planning, budgeting, supervision, and coordination of public works construction and maintenance projects across all divisions.
5. Coordinate projects within Public Works and with City departments.
6. Coordinate, advise, and direct consulting engineers on city, state, and federal projects.
7. Approve consultant fees, contracts, grant applications, and grant disbursements.
8. Assist with preparation of annual operating and five-year capital budgets.
9. Assist with bidding process for public works projects and equipment.
10. Manage all phases of the grant process including research, application, and administration.
11. Attend meetings of the Common Council, Public Works Committee, and other committees as needed.
12. Review engineering plans and recommend approval to the Public Works Director.
13. Supervise and recommend hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline of subordinate employees.
14. Administer and coordinate traffic engineering activities and the sidewalk replacement and maintenance program.
15. Advise the Public Works Director on Public Works issues.
16. Resolve complaints, questions, and concerns from the public, Mayor or City Council.
17. Stay informed on engineering, planning, project management and supervision through professional education.
18. Assume managerial duties in the absence of the Public Works Director.
19. Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge

1. Modern principles and practices of public works administration, including working knowledge of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)..
2. Civil engineering principles and their application to public works projects.
3. Operations and regulations of public utilities, including Stormwater, Wastewater, and Drinking Water.
4. State and local ordinances affecting public works and inspection activities.
5. Budget preparation and fiscal management.

Skills

1. Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
2. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, public officials, and the community.
3. Initiative and resourcefulness in problem-solving public works challenges.
4. Effective verbal and written communication skills.
5. Ability to interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability

1. Direct large-scale public works activities in a coordinated manner.
2. Plan, assign, and review the work of subordinate supervisors and employees.
3. Anticipate and plan for construction and maintenance requirements.

Requirements/Special Requirements

Education & Experience Requirements
A combination of training, experience, and skills that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to qualify includes:

1. Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field; and
2. Five years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, public works, or a related field.
3. Licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin is preferred, but not required.

Requires
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide suitable transportation as approved by the supervisor.
Must pass a post-offer medical examination for the occupational group and drug screen prior to hire.
Must pass a 12-month probationary period to demonstrate skills and abilities to perform the requirements of the position.
Must take an oath of office.
No residency requirement.
Supplemental Information

Full-time employees are eligible for Wisconsin Retirement System, Health/Dental/Life Insurance, and Paid Time Off.
Exempt, not eligible for comp time or overtime.
Annual safety-toed boot allowance.
Benefits included with this position:
1) Health/Dental Insurance: Will be effective the first of the month following 30 days of employment. The 2026 monthly health/dental insurance premiums (employee portion is 12.6%) to be deducted from the first 2 paychecks each month:

There are two health plans to choose from for 2026. Plan options and premiums are listed below. The premiums also include dental.

Medica - Passport Plan

Single: $142.66 (2 deductions of $71.33)
Employee + 1: $298.14 (2 deductions of $149.07)
Family: $456.44 (2 deductions of $228.22)

Medica - Essentia Choice Care Plan

Single: $115.02 (2 deductions of $57.51)
Employee + 1: $240.30 (2 deductions of $120.15)
Family: $368.32 (2 deductions of $184.16)

The City has a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The 2026 annual deductibles are: $3,400 for Single coverage & $6,800 for Employee+1 or Family coverage. The City will contribute $1,700/$3,400 of that annual deductible into your Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2026, which will carry over if not used and is always yours to use until spent. There is no proration on the deductible or the City's contribution.

2) WI Retirement System (WRS) - The WRS is among the best funded and best managed public pension systems in the country!: You will be required to make contributions to your WRS benefit at 7.20% (in 2026) of your gross wages. The City will contribute the balance of this benefit, 7.20% in 2026 (14.4% going into your retirement!).

3) Life Insurance: To be effective the first of the month following 30 days from the date of hire. Basic coverage (= 1 x annual salary) paid by City (must enroll to receive), ability to purchase four additional units of coverage (= 4 x annual salary) plus spouse/dependent coverage.

4) Paid Leave: For newly hired employees, 15 paid leave days will be prorated based on the date of hire and are available to use immediately.

5) Paid Parental Leave: Up to six weeks of paid parental leave is available to employees to use following the birth or adoption of an employee's child, or placement of a foster child.

6) Holidays: Eleven holidays off with pay each calendar year.

7) Longevity pay when eligible as follows:
After five (5) years of service, employees will receive $.20 per hour in addition to their base salary ($.14 per hour for Battalion Chiefs);
After ten (10) years of service, employees will receive $.30 per hour in addition to their base salary ($.21 per hour for Battalion Chiefs);
After fifteen (15) years of service, employees will receive $.45 per hour in addition to their base salary ($.32 per hour for Battalion Chiefs);
After twenty (20) years of service, employees will receive $.65 per hour in addition to their base salary ($.46 per hour for Battalion Chiefs);
After twenty five (25) years of service, employees will receive $.90 per hour in addition to their base salary ($.64 per hour for Battalion Chiefs).

Other benefit options include Deferred Compensation-457 plan, Roth 457 plan, Roth IRA, Flexible Benefits, Short Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident Plan, Hospital Plan, and Term Life (all 100% employee contributed); Employee Assistance Program; Superior Municipal Employees Credit Union Membership.