The City of Sun Prairie is looking for a Public Works Operations Director. This position is part of the Public Services management team and supervises three (3) subordinate supervisors in streets, stormwater, facilities, and fleet divisions. The person in this position is responsible for using best management practices in the maintenance and care of city infrastructure, facilities and in the delivery of services which are under the control of the Public Works Department. Functionally these areas include but are not limited to, street snow and ice control, solid waste, street maintenance, sidewalk care, traffic control, street sweeping, facilities maintenance & planning, fleet maintenance & management and storm water infrastructure. Additionally, this position manages a total departmental budget of $5 million.

Starting Salary: $102,713.19 - $120,688.00 Annually based on qualifications.

**This position will be posted until filled with a first review date of July 14, 2025**

Apply Online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sunprairiewi/jobs/4972741/public-works-operations-director

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for budget management for the operating and capital budgets for all of the Public Works Divisions. Works with the Public Services Business Manager on ongoing budget management, projections, processing of invoices, and project management.
• Responsible for emergency and non-emergency issues for: Public Works, Storm Water, Fleet, Facilities, and Traffic Control. Includes: All items related to streets, signals, signs, Recycle Center, City parking lots, storm water facilities, City buildings & facilities, City fleet, and Emergency Services' special requests.
• Respond to service requests from city residents, City Administration, City Council, Director, other City departments and the mayor.
• Works with Parks and Recreation, City Clerk, Building Inspection, Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement District, Police Department, Museum, Fire Department, and various other city entities to provide labor, services and materials for the preparation, hosting, and clean-up of city events.
• Responds to all major snowplow events. Participate in rotation with subordinates on an additional on-call status for snow events.
• Oversee City Recycling Center operations, personnel, complaints, compliance, vendor/contractor relations and contracts, removal and disposal issues and facility maintenance.
• Administer and enforce City and Departmental rules and regulations. Communicate and instruct division personnel of appropriate rules, regulations, procedures, and policies.
• Plan and organize supervisors who assign employees, determine equipment needs, schedule work according to best practices, and ensure projects are completed in a timely manner and within budgetary constraints.
• Survey work areas and develop and recommend repair programs to ensure proper maintenance.
• Implement approved programs through the supervision of department crews and the continual review of work. Train department personnel on job related matters including job safety and specific job skills. Ensure that department personnel comply with all established safety requirements.
• Prepare reports and keep appropriate records of the department's budget and operations.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair on all City and department vehicles and equipment with the Public Works Fleet Maintenance Division.
• Recommend the hiring, transfer, promotion, evaluation, and discipline of full-time and seasonal personnel.
• Provide specifications and oversee work of contractors who perform the specified work.
• The Supervisor assists in developing the Department's goals and objectives, assists in continual review of the requirements of the City residents, as well as monitors trends and changes in the Professional fields. The Supervisor meets safety requirements along with state laws, city ordinances and best management practices.
• Prepare various news releases.
• Oversee facility construction, maintenance, and housekeeping of the CSC, and the Recycle Center.
• Oversee the inventory, prioritization and repairs and replacement of infrastructure including sidewalks, curb and gutter, street maintenance, bike paths, traffic signals and signs, storm water facilities, fleet equipment, and City facilities.

Other Job Functions

• Maintain effective contacts with the public, contractors, salespeople, and other departments
• Responsible for regular safety inspections.
• Attend meetings of the City Council, and Public Works Committee (As needed), and provides technical advice and recommendations on matters pertaining to Public Works and Storm Water and
• Meets with representatives from other City departments and/or residents to discuss and resolve various issues and problems relating to streets, stormwater, fleet and facilities.
• Has contact with the City Administrator, Department heads, other local governmental officials, City residents, contractors, and vendors.

Requirements of Work

Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, engineering, or a related field is required. Between four to six years of experience in a municipal public works department, engineering, or management is required.

Knowledge of

• The materials, methods, techniques, and equipment commonly used in public works maintenance; and construction and maintenance of roads and streets, refuse and recycling collection, and storm water management. Usually acquired through five to nine years of experience in supervising parks, public works, forestry, and facilities & ground maintenance projects.
• The principles and practices of safety. Good knowledge regarding efficient use of tools, equipment, and vehicles used in public works maintenance and repair.
• The principles and practices of effective supervision including planning, scheduling, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, and effectively directing the work of subordinate groups.
• Forestry practices, landscaping, and the application of pesticides.
• State and local codes and ordinances relative to public works operation.
• Engineering methods involved in street, drainage, pavement construction, and public utilities.

Ability to

• Have high-level of discretion with decisions only by departmental policies and little direct guidance from supervisor.
• Make critical goals and objectives that could result in critical financial loss, property damage, or bodily harm/loss of life.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing with internal and external contacts, and acts as the spokesperson for the department and is authorized to make commitments of significant resources on behalf of the department.
• Develop policies and procedures that affect other departments and occasionally involves participation of organization-wide policies.
• Have a high-level of analytical ability to develop plans for a department or complex situation, including plans that involve integrating/involving/impacting other departments.

Skill in

• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with supervisors, subordinates, other employees, and the public.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions including engineering drawings.
• Using of computer equipment and software programs.

Physical Demands 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed mostly in an office setting; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. 

The City of Sun Prairie is committed to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and creating an inclusive culture. These serve as our guiding principles every day in all that we do. Keep us accountable to this mission and join us in this commitment to a thriving Sun Prairie, as you live, work, and play. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 608-825-1174 or HumanResources@cityofsunprairie.com.