Highway Superintendent

The Town of Falmouth seeks an experienced public works professional to be our next Highway Superintendent, a key leadership role within the Department of Public Works (DPW). Under the direction of the Director of Public Works, the Highway Superintendent provides strategic, administrative, operational, and field leadership for the Highway Division, overseeing roadway infrastructure, drainage systems, residential solid waste collection, the Waste Management Facility, seasonal beach maintenance operations, snow and ice control, and the Woods Hole Drawbridge tender operations.

This is a stable, full-time, year-round, benefited management position responsible for leading a diverse workforce of more than 30 full-time employees. The Highway Division is responsible for multiple diverse municipal operations requiring strong leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, emergency preparedness, and collaboration across multiple Town departments and community partners. The Highway Superintendent is responsible for planning, directing, and continuously improving operations while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, customer service, innovation, and operational excellence.

The Town of Falmouth maintains approximately 218 miles of Town roads and serves a year-round population of approximately 33,000 residents, which grows to more than 100,000 during the busy summer season. The Highway Division plays a critical role in maintaining the Town's transportation infrastructure, supporting seasonal operations, responding to emergencies, and delivering dependable public works services that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Under the administrative direction of the Director of Public Works, the Highway Superintendent exercises considerable independent judgment in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all Highway Division operations. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing overall leadership, planning, and management for Highway Division operations, including roadway and sidewalk construction and maintenance, drainage systems, residential rubbish collection, the Woods Hole Drawbridge operations, the Waste Management Facility, municipal compost operations, seasonal beach maintenance, snow and ice control, street sweeping, roadside maintenance, traffic control devices, and other assigned public works services;
• Developing daily, weekly, seasonal, and long-range operational plans; establishing work priorities; allocating personnel, equipment, and resources; and coordinating capital improvement projects and infrastructure investments;
• Planning, assigning, supervising, mentoring, training, evaluating, and developing full-time employees and seasonal employees;
• Developing, administering, and monitoring the Division's operating and capital budgets; preparing capital requests; securing operational funding; monitoring expenditures; approving purchases; and ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship of public resources;
• Preparing bid specifications, requests for proposals, grant applications, and administering municipal construction and infrastructure improvement projects, including Chapter 90 roadway projects;
• Developing and implementing standard operating procedures, employee training initiatives, and safety programs to promote operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and a safe workplace;
• Leading the development and implementation of the Town's snow and ice control operations and directing Highway Division and DPW-wide response during severe weather events and other public emergencies;
• Collaborating with Town departments, committees, regulatory agencies, contractors, and community organizations to coordinate projects, resolve operational issues, and deliver exceptional public service;
• Responding to citizen inquiries, service requests, and complaints while representing the Highway Division with professionalism, sound judgment, and a commitment to customer service;
• Ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, and safety standards and preparing required operational and regulatory reports; and
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

The Highway Superintendent serves as a key member of the Town's emergency response leadership team and is expected to respond to weather-related and other public emergencies. This position requires a high degree of availability and responsiveness and regularly performs work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back assignments as operational needs require.

This position combines office and field work and involves frequent visits to roadways, construction sites, drainage systems, beaches, the Woods Hole Drawbridge, the Waste Management Facility, and other public works locations under a variety of weather and environmental conditions. The position requires regular operation of motor vehicles and occasional moderate physical activity associated with field inspections, project oversight, and emergency response.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public works construction, operations, and heavy equipment management; or any equivalent combination of education, training, or experience that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Supervisory experience is required.

Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment CORI background check.

The successful candidate is an accomplished and collaborative leader who demonstrates outstanding judgment, professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service. Candidates should possess exceptional leadership, communication, budgeting, project management, employee development, and organizational skills, as well as a thorough understanding of municipal public works operations. The successful candidate will be capable of managing multiple operational programs simultaneously, building collaborative relationships with employees, contractors, regulatory agencies, and community organizations, and effectively responding to complex operational challenges and emergency situations while maintaining a strong focus on employee safety, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Required Licenses:

• Massachusetts Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL);
• Massachusetts Hoisting Engineer License; and
• OSHA-10 Certification (or ability to obtain within 180 days of hire)

Anticipated Starting Hourly Rate: Step 1 ($105,830.40 annually) - Step 7 ($129,334.40 annually) of the 10-Step pay scale, commensurate with qualifications and experience, with eligibility for annual advancement up to Step 10.

Comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays per year; vacation, sick, and personal paid time off; Town contribution of up to 75% of the cost of health insurance; cost-effective dental, vision, life insurance, and disability policy plans; enrollment in the Town's defined benefit pension plan; voluntary pre-tax and Roth 457(b) plans; and opportunities for Town-sponsored professional development.

Preference Date to Apply: Monday, July 27, 2026 by 4:30 p.m. The position will remain open until filled; however, candidates who apply by this date and time will be given preference over later applications.

How to Apply: Please apply directly via the Town of Falmouth Employment page at https://www.falmouthma.gov/723/EmploymentCurrent-Job-Openings

About the Town of Falmouth as an Employer: The Town of Falmouth is a people-centered municipality committed to public service excellence. We strive to foster an inclusive and supportive work culture grounded in professionalism, collaboration, and accountability, and we invest in our employees through ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. The Town offers competitive compensation, and benefit-eligible positions offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance and other valuable benefits, and include participation in the Town's pension plan. All applicants must be able to interact and work effectively and respectfully with individuals and groups of various abilities, cultures, backgrounds, ages, and identities.

Located on the southwest tip of Cape Cod, Falmouth is a vibrant coastal community comprised of eight villages and seven historic districts. With a year-round population of approximately 32,500 that nearly triples during the summer season, Falmouth offers a unique blend of scenic beauty, historic charm, civic engagement, and organizational excellence. The Town strives to be a premier Cape community that provides a responsive, accessible, and inclusive environment for all.