New Job Alert – Executive Director of Public Works (City of Killeen)

Published date: September 26, 2025

Executive Director of Public Works

DESCRIPTION

The Executive Director of Public Works leads and oversees all Public Works divisions, including Transportation, Mowing & Drainage, and Water & Sewer. This role is responsible for strategic leadership, departmental budgeting, financial planning, and long-term master planning to ensure efficient operations and sustainable growth. The Executive Director will guide teams that manage vital city infrastructure—ranging from traffic systems, sidewalks, and drainage channels to 694 miles of water distribution lines, 618 miles of sewer collection lines, pump and lift stations, and water storage facilities—while also directing capital improvement and rehabilitation projects.

Join our team by bringing strong leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to innovation in public infrastructure. With a mission to enhance quality of life and public safety, the Public Works Department strives to deliver reliable, sustainable infrastructure and services that support community growth and prosperity for generations to come. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Killeen by maintaining essential services while driving forward infrastructure improvements that sustain a thriving, resilient city.

GENERAL PURPOSE

To perform complex supervisory, administrative and professional work in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the Public Works Department, including environmental, water, sewer, street, traffic control, and other public works projects and programs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises supervision of the employees in the Public Works Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises and evaluates programs, plans, services, staffing, equipment and infrastructure of the Public Works department.
• Evaluates Public Works needs and formulates short and long range plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility, including transportation, street, water, sewer, mowing, and drainage.
• Supervises the review of private project development plans for compliance with codes, regulations, and standards, adequacy of applications for permits and compliance with approved plans in the area of infrastructure.
• Bids, processes, awards, monitors through inspection, processes pay estimates, and completes close out on construction contracts let by the City for streets, drainage, water and sewer, airport runways and taxiways, golf course, and other construction.
• Prepares, negotiates, processes and administers contracts with professional engineering companies.
• Supervises design operations, and modifies city standards for Public Works Operations, etc.
• Reviews and updates City master plan for streets, drainage, water and sewer, including infrastructure inventory.
• Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow.
• Issues written and oral instructions.
• Studies and standardizes department policies and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Prepares and documents budget requests; prepares and administers budget.
• Coordinates with outside agencies.
• Prepares, maintains, and monitors budget accounts and bond fund accounts.
• Acts as Emergency Utility Director/Coordinator.
• Coordinates all Public Works activities during emergency operations.
• Responds to public or other inquiries related to department policies and procedures.
• Assists in the training of city personnel in Public Works systems and techniques.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations; possesses and maintains a valid driver’s license, if required, and complies with City of Killeen driving policy accordingly.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering, business administration, public administration or a closely related field; master’s degree, preferred; and
• Five (5) years previous public works experience;
• Water and Wastewater Certifications, preferred.
• Public sector experience, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting;
• Thorough knowledge of applicable City policies, laws, and regulations affecting Department activities;
• Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment;
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, consultants, other governmental agency representatives, City officials and the general public;
• Ability to conduct necessary engineering research and compile comprehensive reports.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver’s license or obtain one by date of hire.
• Must complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) training within first year of employment.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing software; motor vehicle; calculator; phone; copy and fax machine, appropriate safety equipment, and other occupation-related business equipment as needed.

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.

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various sites, or public works facilities. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

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

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

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to 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 to moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Apply here: Executive Director of Public Works