Public Works Director
Salary
$90,324.00 - $140,123.00 Annually
Location
Public Works-1309 Mill St, Rock Island, IL 61201, IL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
2026-4440
Department
Public Works
Opening Date
06/11/2026
Closing Date
6/25/2026 5:00 PM Central
Description
This is highly responsible professional, administrative, and managerial work directing the activities of the Department of Public Works.
Work involves responsibility for planning, directing, administering, and supervising all programs and activities of the department, including street maintenance, sanitation, fleet maintenance, storm and sanitary sewer system maintenance, water treatment and water reclamation plant operations, water distribution system, marina operations, and engineering and construction projects. Supervision is exercised over professional, administrative, supervisory, technical, and clerical personnel. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the City Manager who reviews work through conferences and administrative reports for overall program effectiveness.
Examples of Duties
Plans, coordinates, directs, and supervises the programs and activities of the department; confers with staff and other officials on issues related to a broad range of municipal services.
Interprets City policies and develops and implements appropriate department rules, regulations, and policies; establishes record keeping procedures, methods, and standard operating procedures.
Prepares and administers departmental operating budget; develops long range plans for facilities and infrastructure improvements; coordinates and administers capital improvement programs.
Reviews and approves the requisition of equipment, materials, and supplies; approves departmental expenditures.
Trains, supervises, and evaluates the performance of department staff directly or through subordinate supervisors.
Coordinates the preparation of and reviews plans, specifications, and cost estimates for purchase of various equipment and vehicles, and for construction and repair projects; prepares recommendations to the City Manager.
Attends City Council meetings and meetings of boards and commissions and county, state, and regional agencies.
Receives citizen complaints and requests; responds to requests for information and assistance from citizens and outside agencies and organizations.
Maintains a safe work environment for employees; develops standards and procedures for safe work practices; instructs employees on safe work practices.
Provides effective and efficient customer services and promotes and maintains responsive community relations.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
Graduation from a college or university with a bachelors degree in civil engineering or a masters degree in public administration or related field; thorough experience in public works operations including water and wastewater plant operations, including considerable experience in a supervisory or managerial capacity; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:
Thorough knowledge of the operations and functions of a comprehensive municipal public works program.
Thorough knowledge of the technical aspects of the various programs associated with the Department of Public Works.
Thorough knowledge of construction contract administration and estimating of cost of construction work.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering.
Considerable knowledge of personnel, employee, and labor relations principles and practices.
Considerable knowledge of annual and capital improvement budget preparation and administration.
Ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate work of employees completing programs of the department; be able to effectively organize and allocate resources to solve problems.
Ability to analyze and recommend solutions to complex engineering problems.
Ability to conduct studies and write in depth reports for the City Manager and City Council.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Council, employees, and the public, as well as other governmental officials.
Possession of a Class D Illinois vehicle operators license, or equivalent license issued by the employees state of residence.
Supplemental Information
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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate tools and equipment as well as equipment controls reached with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving parts; and is occasionally exposed to wet and slippery surfaces, humid conditions, extreme cold and heat.
Additional Information
Selected candidates must meet a residency requirement, which includes living in the state of Illinois or Iowa and maintaining a sixty (60) minute response time.
The City of Rock Island offers a wide range of competitive benefits including personal leave, paid holidays, accumulated sick leave, paid vacation, longevity pay, health, dental & vision, employee discounts, pensions, bereavement pay, workers compensation, disability insurance and optional life insurance plans.
Employer City of Rock Island
Address 1528 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, Illinois, 61201
Phone (309) 732-2050
(309) 732-2058
Website http://www.rigov.org