COMPENSATION:

• Expected Starting Salary: $123,064- $145,847
• Salary Range: $123,064 - $168,629
• Actual salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

POSITION SUMMARY

Provides supervisory and administrative direction for the following operations in the Public Works Department: water and sewer line maintenance and repair; water pumping and storage facilities; and parking and water meter operations, facilities and grounds, forestry, leaf collection, sign maintenance, snow and ice removal, street maintenance and repair, and vehicle maintenance.

Each holder of this position will be assigned various divisions of oversight. Those divisions may be reassigned as required by workload of the other position holders.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Works under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Public Works and Engineering, and Director of Public Works and Engineering. Exercises supervision over Public Works Department personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees foreman of each assigned division and manages the performance of assigned department operations by setting goals, objectives and priorities, inspecting and evaluating work, reviewing work orders, completing reports and coordinating and prioritizing work activities; monitors and conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff.

• Assists in operation of assigned operations by responding to requests, estimating costs, ordering materials and supplies, submitting regular reports and meeting with staff and management for updates.

• Develops recommendations and monitors the annual budget by maintaining records on material and equipment needs and expenditures, staff costs, contractor costs and hours, and miscellaneous supplies.

• Assists in assessment of long-range plans with respect to equipment, personnel, and services; assists in the implementation of such plans.

• Establishes and maintains standard operating guidelines for typical functions of each division within supervisory scope.

• Assists in completing/updating Job Safety Analysis for positions within divisions supervised for the purpose of evaluating potential hazards.

• Assists in responding directly or through subordinate staff to requests for service or information.

• Provides oversight for the construction of the municipal public works projects to ensure compliance with City ordinances and contract specifications. Assists with ensuring contractor compliance with time and budget expectations for projects.

• Assists with the development of reports to various reporting agencies such as USEPA, IEPA, IDNR, and State Fire Marshall concerning department activities.

• Attends departmental staff meetings to provide status updates, progress reports, and other information to Assistant Director and Director of Department.

• Attends training sessions and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the profession; may represent the department in a variety of local, county, state and other meetings.

• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• The desired candidate would have a High school diploma or GED equivalent, college degree preferred.
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in maintenance, construction, or repair work, with at least three years in a supervisory capacity. Equivalent combination of education and experience.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision and administration; thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of municipal public works including the installation and maintenance of underground utilities; thorough knowledge of the preparation of plans, designs, estimates, and specifications for construction work; thorough knowledge of State and local codes and ordinances relative to public works; thorough knowledge of report writing and preparation.

• Skill in arriving at cost estimates on complex projects; skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.

• Ability to analyze the effectiveness of departmental operations, to diagnose its problems, and to correlate its development with changing conditions within the community, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, consultants, other governmental agency representatives and the general public; ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel in the duties of their position; ability to conduct necessary research and compile comprehensive reports, ability to accurately calculate cost estimates on complex projects; ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

• Ability to apply different dispute resolution techniques to bring parties together.

• This exempt position must have the ability to work the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and may be required to work nights and weekends for tasks such as water system repairs, snow operations, facility repairs and/or significant weather events.
  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALFICATIONS

Possess or the ability to obtain any/all of the following:

• Previous experience and knowledge in managing a municipal water distribution system
• Knowledge of current and upcoming compliance regulations including correspondence/communication with IEPA and US EPA
• Knowledge and/or experience with the CityWorks asset management system or similar platform
• Class “C” Public Water Supply Operator’s License
• Arborist Certification
• Collections System Operator Certification
• Facility Manager Certification
  

EQUITMENT USED

Requires the frequent use of a personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, and GIS applications; telephone, copy machine, fax machine, mobile radio, motorized vehicles and equipment; and common hand and power tools.

Requires the occasional use of equipment, including tractor loader, dump truck, pickup truck, utility truck, skid steer with various attachments, tamper, plate compactor, saws, pumps, compressors, sanders, grinders, generators, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches and detection devices.

PHYSICAL DEMAMD

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is predominantly performed in an office setting with some work outdoors in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities.

While outdoors, the employee occasionally works in inclement weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, high, precarious places, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office to moderate outside.

Check out our incredible benefits package!

• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy 15 paid vacation days, 3 personal days, and 12 sick days—plus, your vacation and personal days grow as you continue your journey with us!
• 11 Paid Holidays: Celebrate the holidays with pay while spending time with loved ones.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: We’ve got you covered with medical, dental, and optical insurance options tailored to fit your needs—offering low deductibles, low premiums, and an overall low cost to you and your family.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance: Feel secure with $100,000 in life insurance provided at no cost to you.
• Retirement Planning: Secure your future with the Illinois Municipal Employee Retirement Fund System (IMRF) and additional perks like a Retirement Health Savings Account, Transportation Spending Account, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Roth IRA, and optional life insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement: We're committed to your growth—take advantage of our Tuition Reimbursement Program to keep learning and advancing your career.

These benefits make working for the City of Des Plaines more than just a job—it's a pathway to a secure and thriving future!