Public Work Director

Salary: $112,444.80 - $179,920.00 Annually
Location : Public Works Administrative Office, 234 E. Summit Ave., Burlington, NC
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Hiring Range: $112444 to $153491

Job Description
What you will do:
An employee in this class plans, organizes and directs the work of employees engaged in a wide variety of public works. The employee manages the public service aspect of local government including street maintenance, solid waste, cemetery and grounds, building maintenance, and equipment services. Work also includes contract management, handling citizen issues, and budget and personnel administration of the department. The employee represents the city to a wide variety of citizens.

Hiring Range: Hiring Range: $112,444 - $153,491 Annually

The anticipated hiring salary range for this position is $112,444 to $153,491 annually. Starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications, education, relevant experience, and internal equity considerations.
******The first round of application reviews will begin on November 23, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply before this date to receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled, and applications received after the initial review date may be considered as needed.******
Examples of Duties

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Operational Oversight: Works closely with Division Heads (Solid Waste, Equipment Services, Sustainability/Projects, Building Maintenance, Streets, Cemetery, and Grounds) to address operational and personnel issues, ensuring high-quality services for citizens and internal customers.
• Advisory Role: Reports to and advises the Assistant City Manager and officials on public works projects, activities, and operational improvements.
• Problem-Solving: Frequently meets with supervisors to address complex issues, set priorities, and provide guidance.
• Public Engagement: Maintains regular contact with citizens to address service requests and complaints, ensuring effective resolution and coordination with other departments.

Project Management:

• Capital Planning: Identifies and consolidates the capital needs for the Public Works Department.
• Project Supervision: Makes field inspections of public works projects to monitor progress and ensure completion.
• Contract Management: Recommends and oversees contracted work, coordinating efforts with engineers and supervisors.
• Continuous Improvement: Assesses workload, systems, and reporting structures to identify and implement operational changes.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Budget Management: Prepares and reviews departmental operating and capital budgets, monitors performance, and approves expenditures.
• Personnel Administration: Manages selection, training, promotion, and discipline of staff; conducts employee performance evaluations, approves leave requests, and maintains confidential records.
• Committee Involvement: Serves on various boards and committees to represent the department.

Additional Contributions:

• Strategic Decision-Making: Researches and recommends operational changes to the City Manager.
• Performance Monitoring: Ensures timely completion of projects and adherence to departmental priorities and deadlines.
• Representation: Attends City Council meetings as needed to provide departmental updates.
• Miscellaneous Duties: Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Expertise:

• Public Works Administration: Comprehensive understanding of principles, planning, and construction processes.
• Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of city policies, regulations, and OSHA standards.
• Financial Acumen: Proficiency in governmental budgeting, personnel management, and purchasing practices.
• Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with equipment, materials, and engineering principles used in public works infrastructure projects.
• Legal and Regulatory Insight: Understanding of laws and regulations relevant to public works functions.

Leadership and Management:

• Team Supervision: Skilled in communication, motivation, staffing, and coaching of employees.
• Operational Oversight: Ability to plan, organize, and direct multiple crews effectively.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Report Preparation: Expertise in preparing and presenting complex and detailed records and reports.
• Relationship Building: Strong capability to maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, contractors, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Qualified applicants will have a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, construction management, or a closely related field, and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in public works, municipal infrastructure, or closely related operations, including supervisory and budget management responsibilities. Experience coordinating multiple operational functions, managing contracts, and working with municipal departments and regulatory agencies is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Valid North Carolina Driver's License

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work in this class is described as being sedentary and seldom requires much physical exertion to complete tasks.
• Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Employee regularly operates a variety of machinery and equipment, including telephones, computers, calculators, copiers, facsimile machines, etc.
• Work necessitates visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned in preparing and analyzing figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal viewing and extensive reading.
• Working conditions include inside environmental conditions.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Inclement Weather Classification: Essential
Benefits for full-time employees of the City of Burlington (with the exception of full-time sworn police officers) are as follows:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Ability to transfer North Carolina local government earned sick leave.
• Paid holidays for New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
• Enrollment in the Local Government branch of the North Carolina State Retirement System
• Enrollment in Empower 401k
• Health and dental insurance coverage for employee and children; spouses may be added to the policy if they are not offered coverage at their own place of employment
• Voluntary enrollment in a Flexible Spending Plan
• Life insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Other voluntary insurances and deferred compensation plans

01

The City of Burlington is dedicated to providing high-quality municipal services within our diverse community in a friendly, professional and efficient manner in order to promote the safety, health, and quality of life of residents and employees. Describe how your leadership philosophy and professional experience align with the city's mission. Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated these principles in leading teams, delivering services, and fostering a positive organizational culture. Please limit each response to 300 words or less.
02

Describe your professional experience coordinating and overseeing multiple public works (or equivalent) operational functions, managing contracts and contractors, and collaborating with municipal departments and regulatory agencies. Include the scope and complexity of your responsibilities, the types of operations and contracts you have managed, and your experience working across departments and with regulatory agencies to achieve organizational objectives. Please limit each response to 300 words or less.
Required Question