Deputy Director of Public Works - Operations

Deputy Director of Public Works - Operations

Salary

$123,102.58 - $141,567.97 Annually

Location

Location will vary throughout Adams County, CO

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

07641

Department

Public Works

Division

Admin

Opening Date

09/04/2026

Closing Date

9/18/2026 4:30 PM Mountain

Our Mission

To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.

EEO

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Position classification

Hybrid -- Job duties and expectations allow for onsite and remote work scheduled every week. Employees in this classification are regularly scheduled onsite one (1) to four (4) days per week based on the County needs and as determined by Department Director. Hybrid classified roles can be onsite more than the set minimum based on employee preference.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Public Works Deputy Director for the Operations Working Group provides strategic leadership and oversight of the departments operations and maintenance functions, including Operations Maintenance Divisions 1 (West), 2 (Central), and 3 (East). The position assists the Public Works Director with department-wide management and ensures assigned programs and services align with County priorities, policies, regulatory requirements, and available resources.

The Deputy Director oversees managers responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Countys public right-of-way and transportation infrastructure, as well as critical public safety and emergency response functions, including snow and ice response, traffic incident management, and coordination with the Countys Office of Emergency Management.

The position serves as a senior-level liaison with County leadership, other departments, regional partners, professional organizations, emergency response agencies, and external contractors and agencies. The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of public sector transportation operations, right-of-way maintenance, traffic operations, and emergency response, along with experience in organizational leadership, employee relations, public sector budgeting, and program administration.

The successful candidate will effectively coordinate with residents, stakeholders, County representatives, and external partners while maintaining a strategic focus on operational priorities and service delivery.

The hiring range for this role is: $123,102.58 - $141,567.97. The potential full hiring range is: $123,102.58 - $184,653.88.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Assist the Public Works Director with the overall management and administration of the department and provide leadership on department-wide initiatives, priorities, and operational objectives.
• Provide strategic oversight and direction for the Operations Working Group, including right-of-way maintenance, roadway and drainage maintenance, pavement maintenance, street sweeping, traffic operations, gravel roads program, snow and ice response, emergency response programs, and other assigned operational functions.
• Manage, direct, and coordinate the work of assigned managers and supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; provide leadership and direction to managers responsible for individual operational divisions and functional areas.
• Establish and communicate organizational goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned operations; evaluate service and staffing needs and recommend strategies that support effective and equitable service delivery.
• Provide guidance and direction on complex operational, personnel, safety, and interdepartmental matters and assist managers in resolving issues that require department-level coordination or decision-making.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the overall work plans of the Operations Working Group. Monitor progress toward operational goals and ensure effective coordination among functional areas.
• Oversee the effectiveness and efficiency of operational service delivery methods, procedures, workload, staffing, equipment, and support systems; identify opportunities for improvement and recommend changes to enhance service delivery.
• Oversee the development and administration of department budgets related to assigned operations, including staffing, equipment, materials, supplies, and capital needs. Evaluate resource requirements, monitor expenditures, and make recommendations regarding operational priorities and funding.
• Provide strategic oversight of emergency and incident response programs, including snow and ice operations, traffic incidents, severe weather events, and other situations requiring coordinated Public Works response.
• Serve as a senior-level liaison for Public Works with the Countys Office of Emergency Management, other County departments, regional partners, professional organizations, contractors, community stakeholders, and other external agencies.
• Represent the Public Works Director and department, as assigned, in meetings, presentations, interagency coordination, emergency response planning, and other external engagements.
• Review operational plans, procedures, reports, studies, and other materials related to assigned programs and provide recommendations to support department priorities, regulatory compliance, and effective service delivery.
• Conduct or oversee organizational studies, investigations, and operational analyses; evaluate service delivery methods, organizational structures, procedures, and emerging technologies and recommend modifications as appropriate.
• Prepare and present staff reports, operational updates, recommendations, and other correspondence for the Public Works Director, County leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of ROW maintenance, program development, and administration; organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
• Knowledge of recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding Public Works and ROW maintenance.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret and apply pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to Public Works projects and programs.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
• Computer Skills: Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and ArcView GIS; ability to learn specialized software systems including JD Edwards, Cartegraph, Accela, and Masterworks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, roads, and drainageways.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Public sector/municipal experience preferred.

Education and Training:

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, planning, construction management, public administration, or a related field is required.
• An equivalent combination of experience may substitute the degree on a year-for-year basis.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License.

Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office complies with Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act ("JAFA"). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant's age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.

02

Please select the option that best fits your level of experience and education:

• High school diploma/GED equivalent AND eleven (11) years of increasingly responsible construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, roads, and drainageways experience WITH a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Associates degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, planning, construction management, public administration, or a related field AND nine (9) years of increasingly responsible construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, roads, and drainageways WITH a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelors degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, planning, construction management, public administration, or a related field AND seven (7) years of increasingly responsible construction, maintenance, and repair of bridges, roads, and drainageways WITH a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• None of the above.

03

The possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License is required for this role. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

Briefly describe your supervisory experience managing multiple teams or business functions, competing priorities, staffing needs, and resources. Please include your years of experience, the number and levels of employees supervised, and the scope of your responsibilities.

05

Briefly describe your leadership style and experience leading at different organizational levels including, managers, supervisors, and frontline employees. Share how have led your previous teams to create alignment, develop employees, promote accountability, and deliver results?

06

Describe your areas of technical expertise in public works operations and maintenance and how you have used that expertise to provide leadership, guide decision-making, and improve service delivery and the customer experience.

Required Question

Employer Adams County

Address 4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite C4000B

Brighton, Colorado, 80601-8213

Website http://www.adamscountyco.gov/careers