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Director of Public Works & Transportation

City of St. Joseph

City of St. Joseph

St Joseph, MO, USA
Posted on Apr 9, 2026
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Position: Director of Public Works & Transportation
Location: St. Joseph, MO
Job Id: 763
# of Openings: 1
Job Title: Director of Public Works and Transportation
Department: Public Works & Transportation
Division: Administration
Salary: Negotiable
Closing Date: Until Filled

Job Summary/Scope
Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Director of Public Works and Transportation manages and directs all public works and transportation activities and operations including, but not limited to, street and infrastructure maintenance and repair; wastewater utility; stormwater; landfill and solid waste; airport; transit (bus) system; and metropolitan planning organization. Plans for future public works department projects and oversees daily departmental operations and budget administration. Prepares preliminary and final budgets for all divisions within the Public Works and Transportation Department. Provides highly responsible, technical, and complex administrative support to the City Manager and other City departments.

The Director is responsible for ensuring efficient service delivery, operational performance, and the long-term maintenance of City infrastructure systems. This position provides strategic leadership, establishes service expectations, and ensures alignment with City priorities.

Supervisory Responsibility
Integral to the position of Director of Public Works and Transportation is the responsibility for developing subordinates to their fullest potential by exercising appropriate degrees of coaching, training, guiding, evaluating, correcting and, if necessary, disciplining.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Oversees daily operations of the Public Works and Transportation Department, including development and administration of budgets.
  • Establishes departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities aligned with City strategic initiatives. Provides operational input into capital improvement planning to ensure maintenance and service impacts are considered Facilitates development through administration of ordinances and policies governing stormwater, public infrastructure, and right-of-way management.
  • Provide managerial direction in all hiring, training, and evaluations of personnel within each area of responsibility.
  • Ensures service levels meet community expectations across all divisions and service areas. Attends meetings of the City Council, staff meetings, board and commission meetings, meetings of organized citizen groups, and other community meeting at the local and state levels.
  • Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels;. Monitors and evaluates operational performance; implements performance metrics and continuous improvement strategies.
  • Oversees asset management and lifecycle planning for infrastructure systems, including streets, utilities, and facilities.
  • Reviews and responds to state and federal regulations impacting public works and transportation operations.
  • Participates and negotiates, as authorized, in resolving public works issues, claims, and lawsuits.
  • Reviews current and proposed state and federal regulations that affect Public Works and Transportation operations.
  • Provides staff assistance to the City Manager and, as assigned, other department directors; participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents technical reports and other necessary correspondence.
  • Effectively and courteously communicates with the public and employees, in person, on the telephone, and in writing.
  • Communicates on a proactive basis to resolve citizen complaints as they arise.

Other Duties and Responsibilities
Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Employee Behavior and Conduct
City employees shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and shall exhibit and extend such professional conduct appropriate for the circumstances to those with whom they come into contact both internally and externally during the performance of their duties. Examples of professional conduct include, but are not limited to, being communicative, informative, fair, honest, and respectful.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Experience working with the public to achieve multifaceted objectives. Skills in effective oral and written communications.
  • Ability to build collaborative relationships across departments and with external partners.
  • Knowledge of public works operations, infrastructure systems, and municipal service delivery.
  • Knowledge of budgeting, resource allocation, and operational planning.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Five to seven years of experience managing a public works department or similarly related field.
  • Must develop a general knowledge of City Code of Ordinances, State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to general public works operations within six months from date of employment.
  • Knowledge of municipal budgeting procedures and personnel management.
  • Ability to organize, lead, and direct a large municipal department.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Prior experience in labor relations desirable.

Material and Equipment Directly Used
Regular use of office equipment such as personal computer, calculator, printers, copiers, and other related office equipment. There may be times when a personal vehicle may be required.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements
Majority of work is performed in an office setting with a controlled environment. May need to perform on-site inspections. Work involves oral communication through the use of telephone or in person. Seldom need to lift more than 10 to 20 pounds. Some overnight or day travel may be required for business purposes. Vacation and other leave scheduling shall be requested of and approved by the appropriate supervisor.

Education
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, public administration, business administration, political science, planning, or public works-related field required. Master’s degree in the aforementioned desirable.
All applicants must pass a drug screening and criminal background check prior to employment.
Any job offer made by the City is contingent upon the applicant passing the drug screening and background check.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City is a governmental entity subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
which requires that otherwise qualified handicapped individuals be protected from discrimination.
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