Position Type:
Public Works/Senior Project Manager - Streets & ROW

Date Posted:
8/27/2026

Location:
Civic Center

Date Available:
TBD

Closing Date:
09/10/2026
SALARY RANGE: $117,636.28- $176,455.02/ANNUAL

*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.

NATURE OF WORK:

This is a senior technical position requiring a thorough knowledge of municipal engineering. The position is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the engineering function (in-house and under contract) that designs and constructs the city's infrastructure, prepares plans, specifications, and estimates of construction projects, attends public meetings to discuss proposed and approved construction projects, performs design and construction inspection work as needed, assists in preparation of the capital improvement budget; prepares reports and technical recommendation for City Council approval and maintains records and reports of technical and official archive materials for Public Works improvement projects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following): Extensive knowledge of civil engineering theory, principles, practices and construction techniques and materials; ability to execute Civil/Transportation design, construction plans and develop specifications;ability to supervise subordinate staff, including professional, technical and support staff; ability to perform difficult technical engineering work and research and develop work utilizing innovative techniques; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizens, contractors, city officials and the general public.

• Serves as Project Manager on projects of extreme complexity and/or magnitude and on federally-funded construction projects.
• Evaluates performance of subordinate staff, recommending personnel actions including salary increases, disciplinary action, training, developmental activities and related areas.
• Responsible for the engineering component of the City's Geographic Information System, working in conjunction with IT.
• Prepares RFPs, RFQs and Bid documents for various projects. Manages contract negotiation and administration of consultants retained for infrastructure improvement projects.
• Prepares loan and grant applications for State and Federal funding, including, but not limited to, Community Development Block Grant, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Loan Fund and Illinois Department of Transportation; responsible for all associated paperwork including disbursement requests and progress reports.
• Coordinates with government agencies on State and Federally-funded public works projects.
• Coordinates with staff from other divisions and departments on projects.
• May serve as the engineer of record for specific projects.
• Prepares plans and specifications for bidding.
• Manages pre-bid and pre-construction meetings for capital improvement projects.
• Reviews work performed by consultants on various public works projects and provides recommendations.
• Inspects work performed by contractors on various public works projects and provides recommendations.
• Reviews and approves requests for payment from consultants and contractors.
• Prepares memos and supporting information to receive approval for policies and contracts from City Council.
• Presents information to large and small groups, including City Council, boards and commissions, colleagues and the public.
• Prepares newsletters for distribution concerning construction projects and updates for citizens and the public.
• Reviews private development plans.
• Coordinates preparation of easement documents.
• Serves as engineering staff support to the Board of Local Improvements.
• Performs additional public works duties as required.
• Manages and coordinates multimodal transportation planning and project initiatives with the project team, ensuring utilities, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and accessibility considerations are addressed, and provides recommendations to guide project design and implementation.
• Works on multimodal corridor and area-wide transportation studies in collaboration with the project team and stakeholders, reviews analyses, and recommends context-sensitive strategies for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicular operations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Must be currently licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Illinois, or fulfill Illinois reciprocity requirements for non-Illinois licensed professional engineers within 12 months of employment.
• Must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering or substantially similar area.
• Seven (7) or more years of professional engineering work experience, with five (5) or more years in an engineering project manager role managing multiple municipal contracts in excess of $1 million is preferred
• Three or more years of supervisory experience is preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
• Extensive knowledge of architectural, civil engineering, and/or environmental engineering theory, principles, practices and construction techniques and materials.
• Ability to prepare design, construction plans and develop specifications.
• Ability to direct and supervise subordinate staff both union and non-unionized, including professional, technical and support staff.
• Ability to perform difficult technical engineering work and research and develop work utilizing innovative techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizens, contractors, city officials and the general public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

The ability to work in a sedentary position, occasionally using force to lift, carry or otherwise move objects normally found in an office setting. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois or able to obtain within 12 months. Within 18 months, must obtain National Incident Management System (NIMS) certification in IS-700, IS-800, ICS-100 and ICS-200. Within 30 months, must obtain NIMS certification in ICS-300.

SUPERVISION:

Exercises considerable latitude in the performance of duties. Reports to the Bureau Chief - Capital Planning and Engineering in the Public Works Agency.

PUBLIC CONTACT:

This position requires significant public contact and involvement. The Senior Project Manager may attend and/or participate in City Council meetings, Council committee and ward meetings, community meetings and workshops, conferences, and board and commission meetings as required.

SELECTION METHOD TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST

Structured Oral Interview

Qualifications Assessment

Chosen candidates will be subject to a qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.