Public Works Director

About the role

The City of Dickinson is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Public Works Director to lead one of the City's largest and most essential departments. Reporting directly to the City Administrator, this executive leadership position is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all Public Works operations, including Water Utilities, Water Reclamation, Solid Waste & Recycling, Streets, Fleet, Forestry, and Buildings & Grounds.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all Public Works operations and services.
• Lead departmental planning, budgeting, capital improvement programming, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Direct a diverse management team while fostering accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee major utility, street, fleet, facilities, solid waste, forestry, and maintenance operations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Partner with City leadership, engineers, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to deliver high-quality public services.
• Develop future leaders through mentoring, succession planning, and professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Public Administration, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible public works experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of supervisory and administrative leadership experience.
• Valid Driver's License with the ability to obtain a North Dakota Driver's License within 90 days.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing complex public works operations.
• Strong organizational, budgeting, and capital project management skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that develops employees and builds effective teams.
• Knowledge of municipal infrastructure, utility operations, public works construction, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities.

Skills

• Visionary leadership.
• Public works management.
• Team building.
• Regulatory compliance.
• Community engagement.

Benefits

• $118,875.92 - $131,248.62 annually based on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead a talented team while shaping the future infrastructure of a growing city.

Pay

• $118,875.92 - $131,248.62 annually based on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

• Not specified.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance.
• North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead a talented team while shaping the future infrastructure of a growing city.

Application

To apply, submit your City application, resume, cover letter, and transcript(s) through the City of Dickinson employment website. This position is open until Friday, July 24th, 2026, and we will review applications once the position closes.

What We Offer

• $118,875.92 - $131,248.62 annually based on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead a talented team while shaping the future infrastructure of a growing city.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Dickinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer.