Director of Public Works/City Engineer

City of Montclair, CA

$189K — $230K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering or a related field required; Master's degree preferred
  • 5+ years in municipal engineering services or public works
  • 5+ years of mid-management supervisory experience
  • Valid Professional Civil Engineer License from the State of California required
  • Strong knowledge of public works laws and regulations

Responsibilities

  • Plan and coordinate municipal engineering and maintenance services
  • Establish and administer policies for departmental operations
  • Prepare and manage the Department's budget
  • Prepare and present complex reports for public understanding
  • Develop comprehensive plans to meet future city service needs
  • Advise City management and public stakeholders on public works issues
  • Conduct staff training and evaluate employee performance

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families
  • Term life insurance and long-term disability plan
  • Educational subsidy after completion of probation
  • Generous vacation and sick leave accrual based on years of service
  • 104 - 157 hours of paid holidays annually depending on employment type
Full Job Description
Salary : $189,245.16 - $230,028.72 Annually
Location : 5111 Benito Street, Montclair, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 9/3/2026 6:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: EXEC

The contents of the job bulletin should not be construed as an implied contract. All information is subject to change and the City is not bound to any information or errors contained in the bulletin.

This posting may close earlier than the indicated closing date if an excessive number of applications is received. The closing date may also be extended, or the job may be re-posted if an insufficient number of applications is received during the initial posting period.
Job Description
Under administrative direction, plans, directs, and coordinates municipal engineering and maintenance services; is responsible for the development and administration of programs designed to address primary areas of City service; exercises independent judgment, wisdom, common sense, and initiative in establishing efficient and effective departmental operations consistent with City Council policies and administrative guidelines established by the City Manager; functions as a member of the City's management team and actively participates in addressing issues of concern to the City; and performs related work as assigned.

Essential Job Duties

  • Plans, directs, and coordinates Department services and ensures services are provided according to federal and state laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations
  • Establishes policies and procedures relating to Department activities, and ensures policies are administered equitably
  • Prepares and directs the administration of the Department budget
  • Prepares and presents complex reports regarding public works projects in a non-technical manner easily understood by lay people
  • Guides the development of comprehensive plans to satisfy future needs for department services, which involve assessment of needed construction or repair of City infrastructure and other related Department services
  • Advises, and otherwise provides assistance to, the City Council, City Manager, other City personnel, and the public regarding issues related to public works services and activities
  • Plans, organizes, and assigns work
  • Develops and establishes work methods and standards
  • Conducts or directs staff training and development
  • Reviews and evaluates employee performance, and executes disciplinary action as necessary Represents the Public Works Department, or delegates such authority, in relations with the community, advisory committees, local, regional, state, and federal agencies, other public works agencies, and professional organizations
  • Schedules public hearings and leads discussions regarding proposed public works projects Interacts with co-workers at all levels in the organization in a collaborative and customer service-oriented manner
  • Performs all duties within the context of the City's Mission Statement and organizational values Participates in City's Development Review Committee and develops conditions of approvals for development projects
  • Reviews and approves subdivision maps
  • Reviews, approves, and inspects all development plans and construction related to public works improvements

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

This class reports to the City Manager.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and techniques of public works planning, engineering, maintenance, and construction, including fleet, streets, grounds, and maintenance programs; laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations regarding local government operations related to municipal engineering services and public works programs; familiarity with land use and development issues, procedures, and processes; principles and practices of supervision and disciplinary processes; data collection and analysis techniques; municipal budgeting processes; data processing systems/applications in a public agency; positive employee relations; and techniques of maintaining effective Council/staff and public/staff relations.
Skills and Abilities to: Plan, organize, and coordinate Department activities; research, prepare, and present complex reports on a variety of subjects; plan and enforce a balanced budget; communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; deal constructively with conflict and develop effective resolutions; establish and maintain effective relationships with the community at-large, the City Council, other City departments and public officials, public and private organizations and businesses, commissions/committees, and City staff; analyze complex administrative situations and resolve them through application of City policy and management principles and practices; develop comprehensive plans to meet future Cityservices; select, train, supervise, and evaluate employees; understand, explain, and apply policies and procedures; deal tactfully and courteously with internal and external customers; interpret complex regulations, laws, and guidelines; represent the Department and/or City effectively in a variety of meetings, including preparing and making presentations; develop new policies impacting Department operations/procedures; make decisions regarding operational and personnel functions; respond to emergency and problem situations in an effective manner; and interpret financial statements and cost accounting reports.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering or a related field is required. Master's degree in civil engineering, public administration, or a related field is highly desirable. Five years of progressively responsible administrative experience in municipal engineering services, including the functions of public works planning, engineering, and traffic/transportation systems; maintenance and construction; utilities; and public works programs; and five years of supervisory experience at the mid-management level or above.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Must possess a California Driver License and proof of insurability. Must possess a valid Professional Civil Engineer License from the State of California in good standing.

Full-time employees are currently covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System. The City contributes to medical, dental, and vision health plans for the employee with family coverage available. A term life insurance policy is paid by the City, as well as a long-term disability plan. To encourage employees to further their education in job-related fields, an educational subsidy is available upon completion of one-year probation.

Nonshift employees receive 80 hours of vacation after one year of service; 120 hours after five years of service; 160 hours after ten years of service; and 200 hours after 20 years of service. Shift employees receive 145.21 hours of vacation after one year of service; 217.79 hours after five years of service; and 290.40 hours after ten years of service. Sick leave accumulates at the rate of eight hours per month. The City may credit an employee who is coming from another governmental agency with one half of his/her accumulated sick leave up to a maximum of 240 hours. Presently, 104 hours of paid holidays are provided each year for nonshift employees and 157.29 hours of paid holidays are provided each year for shift employees.
01

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you have at least five years of progressively responsible administrative experience in municipal engineering services, including public works planning, engineering, traffic/transportation systems, maintenance, utilities, and construction?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have at least five years of supervisory experience at the mid-management level or above?
  • Yes
  • No

04

Do you possess a valid Professional Civil Engineer (PE) License from the State of California in good standing, and have you attached a copy of this license to your application?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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