Public Works Director (Salary commensurate with experience)

Salary: $150,000.00 - $185,000.00 Annually
Location : 1018 Second Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 00841
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works Administration
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 2/19/2027 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

General Statement of Job

Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Public Works Director oversees the planning, management, and evaluation of a broad range of administrative, engineering, and maintenance functions. Key areas of responsibility include engineering, public utilities, sanitation, streets, stormwater, and environmental programs. Leads all aspects of department operations, programs, policies, and standards, including engineering and utility operations, design, construction, project management, and the full spectrum of installation repair, and maintenance services. Exercises responsibility for customer relations, capital improvements planning, budget preparation and management, personnel management, and oversight of major contracts. Participates as a key member of the executive leadership team.

Conducts on-site work reviews to ensure compliance with established policies/specifications and full utilization of personnel, materials, and facilities with concern for quality, safety and efficiency.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates the Sanitation Operations Manager and Division, Streets and Drainage Operations Manager and Division, Utility Operations Manager and Division, Public Works Engineer, and Engineering Division; performs personnel management tasks including instructing, assigning and reviewing work, planning, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems, counseling, evaluating personnel performance, recommending and approving transfers/promotions, discipline, and termination, and recommending salary increases.

Partners with division managers to evaluate and recommend the award of professional engineering, architectural, and construction contracts.
Oversees engineering functions; reviews and approves technical plans, drawings, papers, reports and specifications; interprets technical materials; directs construction, maintenance and project management efforts.
Formulates and administers operating, maintenance and capital improvements; prepares and manages the annual budget; provides long range plans for development of new utilities and facilities.

Conducts customer relation activities; responds to requests, inquiries and complaints from citizens, fellow employees and council members, provides assistance, advice and information.

The Director plays a collaborative role regionally, coordinating resource management efforts and working with officials from other jurisdictions and agencies to ensure compliance with federal, State, and County environmental and safety regulations.

Develops and implements short term and long-term rate structures for providing municipal services including water, sewer, solid waste, and storm drainage.

Prepares and administers an emergency management plan for infrastructure protection during hurricanes, hazardous materials, homeland security, and other potential events.

Develops, implements, and administers department budget; monitors expenditures for adherence to established budgetary parameters; prepares and submits invoices.

Exercises responsibility for the preparation and management of supplies and equipment specifications and purchasing activities.

Prepares and presents reports and recommendations, while managing operating and capital improvement budgets with a focus on effectiveness and fiscal accountability.

Negotiates contracts and agreements with local, state, and federal agencies for the provision of services, regulations and funding.

Directs project development and implementation; oversees contract development and administration; establishes and maintains liaisons with other City departments, contractors and agencies regarding major projects and programs; develops and implements strategic plans for infrastructure development and maintenance; performs and delegates authority to Department Directors as required. Meet and negotiate agreements with attorneys, contractors, officials related to public works matters.

Negotiates with property owners to obtain easements and rights-of-way for public works projects.

Receives, reviews, and/or prepares water/wastewater treatment plant and distribution/collection system reports, results, permits, etc. to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Receives, reviews, and/or prepares various reports, charts, and records such as budget recaps, change forms, purchase requisitions, council agendas, accident reports, worker's compensation forms, division monthly reports, leave requests, bids, proposals, etc.

Prepares various records and reports such as performance appraisals, change forms, accident reports, worker's compensation reports, monthly reports, public information articles, annual reports, purchase requisitions, ordinances and amendments, safety and training minutes, policies and procedures, specifications and plans, easements, complaint forms, etc.

The Director represents the department before the City Council, advisory bodies, community groups, external agencies, and the media, ensuring open and transparent communication on major initiatives.

Interacts and communicates with a wide variety of individuals and groups such as City Council, City Manager, public works superintendents and staff, City departments, consultants, SCDES and Department of Transportation, US Army Corps of Engineers, US EPA, suppliers, citizens, developers, contractors, county departments, etc.

Communicates technical and policy matters such as departmental goals, budgets, performance measures, and infrastructure projects to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Strong understanding of local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations to ensure that infrastructure, engineering, and public safety activities are compliant and uphold community standards.

Operates and/or utilizes surveying equipment, computers, and various office equipment.
Subject to call out on 24-hour basis.

Performs other related duties as required.

All employees of the municipality shall learn the emergency operations procedures for their respective department and position and execute these duties fully during times of emergency. This may or may not include assignment to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Minimum Training and Experience

Education: Bachelor's degree in, Engineering, Public or Business Administration, Construction Management, or closely related fieldExperience: Ten (10) years of public works experience with a minimum of five (5) years at the management levelRequired:

• Valid driver's license

Preferred:

• S.C. Professional Engineer Certification
• Master's in Business Administration (MBA) or Master's in Public Administration (MPA)
• Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection System certification

Note:

• The City retains the right to determine equivalencies.
• Any certifications not possessed at hire, must be obtained before the employee is removed from probation in order to continue employment with the City.

Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to operate a manhole hook, shovel, drafting tools, Topcon level, Topcon theodolite, video equipment, and a variety of automated office equipment which includes a computer, copier, adding machine, plotter, etc. Must be able to exert up to twenty pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to ten pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Light Work usually involves walking or standing to a significant degree. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of ten to two hundred pounds.
Health & Wellness
Employee Health Center (EHC)
The City of North Myrtle Beach (CNMB) provides an EHC for full-time employees and eligible dependents on the city's health insurance plan. The EHC provides sick visits, primary care, onsite Rx, and annual physicals with no copays.
Wellness Benefit
The CNMB maintains a Wellness Incentive Plan (WIP) for full-time employees and spouses on the city's health insurance plan. The WIP is designed to help reduce health risk among employees and promote a healthy workplace.
Participating in the WIP provides the benefits of:
• Saving money on insurance premiums
• Earning up to $505 in HRA funds
• Being proactive about your health
• Helping to keep City health insurance premiums low
Health Insurance (In-network)
• $1,000 individual deductible
• $3,000 family deductible
• Annual maximum out of pocket $3,000 per individual/ $7,500 per family including deductibles, copays and coinsurance
• Primary care $35 copay/ Specialty $45 copay
Health insurance deductions below Per Pay PeriodPlansWellness ParticipantWellness Non-ParticipantEmployee$0.00$42.00Employee/Child$68.00$102.00Employee/Spouse$123.00$204.00Family$169.00$277.00Dental Insurance
• Preventative services covered at 100% in-network
• Major services covered at 50% in-network
• Annual maximum of $1,750
Prescription Benefits
• $10 Generic/$35 Formulary/$45 Non-Formulary
• Mail order and specialty pharmacy available
Vision Care
• $225 material allowance (in-network) every benefit period towards prescription or nonprescription eyewear with a one-time $25 copay
• In-network vision exams covered 100% with a $10 copay
Aquatic & Fitness Center
The CNMB offers full-time employees a discounted membership at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. Membership can be paid through payroll deduction.
Other Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Account
• Supplemental Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Short Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
Holidays and Leave
Paid Holidays
• New Year's Day
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Fourth of July
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day
• Four floating holidays (two personal)
Vacation Leave
Years of ServiceRegular FT0 to 580 hours each year5 to 10120 hours each year10 or More160 hours each yearSick Time
• 80 hours annually on January 1st
• Unused sick time is paid out at 50% in February of the following year
Holiday Bonus
• Full-time employees, employed before August 15th of each year, are eligible for a Holiday Bonus
Employee Tenure
• Longevity awards at every five years of service (5 percent bonus)
Retirement
Retirement health insurance is available if eligibility requirements are met.
General Retirement
General Employees* are enrolled in a 401(a) account upon hire. The account is funded by contributions made by the employee and the City.
• City contributes 8% of employee's salary & employee contributes a mandatory 2%
• Vesting: 5 years of service
Supplemental Retirement
457 Plan
Designed for full-time employees to save and invest money with tax benefits. Contributions are made to an account based on the amount the employee chooses to allocate. Key features of the plan include:
• Flexible withdrawal upon separation from employment
• Withdrawals after age 59 1/2 or due to a qualified unforeseeable emergency
• For general employees*, the City will match contributions up to 6% of salary after 2 years of full-time employment.
Roth IRA
• Available for employees to complement other retirement plans by allowing for tax-free earnings and, if needed, flexible withdrawals.
*General Employees are all City of NMB employees that are not eligible for PEBA.
Life Insurance
Basic Term Life/AD&D
• Policy of $10,000 paid for by the City
Voluntary Term Life
• Coverage up to $200,000 not to exceed 5 times annual base salary
• Can also be purchased for spouse and/or children
General Employee*-Additional Term Life
• Mandatory coverage
• Employee benefit-1x annual salary
• Coverage can be purchased for spouse or children $10,000/$5,000

Disclaimer: The City reserves the right to modify or eliminate, determine eligibility changes and/or revise employee benefits plans, premiums, and/or benefits at any time with or without notice. Nothing described herein creates a contract. Programs are subject to annual appropriations, policies and benefits, and plan descriptions.