Published date: March 31, 2025
Director of Public Works
Location: Austin, Texas
Reports To: Austin Regional Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Summary:
The Senior Director of Public Works will lead the planning, design, and implementation of municipal infrastructure projects with a focus on public works, water supply, wastewater management, and drainage systems. This role requires a strategic leader with extensive technical expertise, a proven track record in managing public works projects, and the ability to collaborate with government agencies, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver cost-effective solutions that meet community needs and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the design, development, and execution of civil engineering projects related to water distribution, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and public works infrastructure.
- Provide strategic direction and technical leadership to engineering teams, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Collaborate with municipal leaders, planners, and utility departments to assess infrastructure needs, prioritize projects, and secure funding through grants, bonds, or other sources.
- Manage project lifecycles, including feasibility studies, risk assessments, permitting, construction oversight, and post-project evaluations.
- Develop and implement innovative, sustainable solutions to address aging infrastructure, population growth, and climate-related challenges such as flooding and water scarcity.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, contractors, and community groups, ensuring transparent communication and alignment on project goals.
- Mentor and guide junior engineers and staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Prepare and present detailed reports, budgets, and project updates to city councils, boards, or executive leadership.
- Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in water, wastewater, and drainage engineering to enhance municipal infrastructure resilience.
Qualifications:
- Strong networking skills and marketing skills in the public sector.
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
- Texas Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
- Minimum of 15-20 years of experience in civil engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role focused on municipal public works, water, wastewater, or drainage projects, extensive knowledge of hydraulic modeling, stormwater management, water treatment processes, and wastewater system design.
- Proven experience managing infrastructure projects from concept to completion.
- Strong understanding of municipal government operations, budgeting, and regulatory frameworks (eg EPA, Clean Water Act).
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in engineering software and project management tools.
- Background in securing and managing local or state public works projects.
Interested applicants may send their resumes to: mka@bleylengineering.com