Director of Public Works & Engineering
Full Time • Public Works
Responsive recruiter
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Competitive salary
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Training & development
- Tuition assistance
- Vision insurance
- Wellness resources
EXEMPT: Yes
DEPARTMENT: PW / Engineering
DEPARTMENT: PW / Engineering
REPORTS TO: Assistant Town Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time
HIRING RANGE: $122,000 – $185,000
SALARY RANGE $122,000 - $196,000
SALARY RANGE $122,000 - $196,000
As the Town plans for population growth from approximately 20,000 to 60,000 residents, we are investing in infrastructure, people, and systems that allow local government to operate differently and better on behalf of our residents. We are seeking a Director of Public Works and Engineering to help equip our Public Works team for this next phase of growth.
This role is an opportunity for a senior leader who is energized by building structure, strengthening teams, and shaping how infrastructure and municipal services scale in a fast-growing community.
Why Frederick
The Town of Frederick is Built on What Matters. We value Family, Respect, Empowerment, and Dedication, and we believe local government can be both responsible and innovative. This role offers the chance to be part of a leadership team that is actively shaping the future of the organization, Town and the community it serves.
About the Role
The Director of Public Works and Engineering provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Town’s Public Works and Engineering department. The department currently includes utilities and operations: streets, water, stormwater, construction management, fleet services, facility services, engineering and capital improvement project functions.
As Frederick continues to evolve, this role will help formalize processes and procedures, align operations with long-term strategy, and ensure the department is positioned to support growth in a thoughtful, sustainable way. The Director will work closely with Town leadership, the Board of Trustees, staff, and the community to deliver reliable services while preparing the organization for future development.
This position reports to an Assistant Town Manager and serves as a peer to other Directors.
What You Will Help Build
- A clear vision and strategic framework for Public Works and Engineering that supports long-term growth.
- Stronger alignment between operations, engineering, capital planning, and funding.
- Scalable systems, processes, and procedures that allow the department to operate proactively rather than reactively.
- A well-supported leadership team with clear expectations, structure, and internal growth opportunities.
- Effective oversight of large capital projects and major initiatives aligned with the Town’s overall strategy.
- A department culture grounded in professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and service to residents.
What This Role Focuses On (first 12-18 months)
- Leading the integration and alignment of Public Works and Engineering into a cohesive, forward-looking department.
- Overseeing municipal utilities and operations, including streets, water, stormwater, construction, fleet, and facilities.
- Guiding the development of a scalable fleet philosophy and long-term facilities planning in coordination with Town leadership.
- Supporting the completion and operational transition of the Town’s Municipal Service Center.
- Ensuring capital improvement planning, operations, and funding sources are connected and clearly understood.
- Partnering with Community and Economic Development to align development review, infrastructure planning, and execution.
- Communicating complex infrastructure, funding, and operational topics clearly to elected officials, staff, and the public.
Who Will Thrive in This Role
Someone who…
- Enjoys building and strengthening organizations in growing communities.
- Is comfortable balancing hands-on engagement with executive-level leadership.
- Sees growth as an opportunity to improve systems, clarity, and outcomes.
- Values developing people and creating internal pathways for growth.
- Communicates effectively with field staff, engineers, consultants, elected officials, and residents.
- Is motivated by public service and interested in helping local government operate in more modern, effective ways.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, public administration, construction management, business administration, or a related field, or comparable experience.
- Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or municipal operations.
- At least five years of experience in a senior leadership or management role.
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and overseeing complex operational and capital functions.
- Strong understanding of municipal infrastructure systems, capital planning, and public sector funding.
- Proven ability to lead teams through growth, change, and organizational development.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment and work effectively within digital systems such as Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, OpenGov, or similar platforms.
- Valid Colorado driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a related field.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- A PE license is preferred but not required. The Town seeks a leader with strong engineering literacy, operational judgment, and executive leadership capability rather than a role focused on plan production or technical stamping.
- American Public Works Association Certified Public Works Professional – Management credential.
- Experience working in a growing or rapidly changing community.
- Experience integrating operations, engineering, and capital planning functions.
- Demonstrated success in facilities planning, fleet management, or enterprise utility environments.
- Experience coordinating major infrastructure projects with regional, state, or federal agencies.
- Experience engaging directly with elected officials and the public.
Working Environment
- Primarily office-based with regular interaction across Town facilities and occasional field visits.
- Ability to attend evening meetings, public forums, or Board sessions as needed.
- Occasional exposure to field environments, construction sites, or operational facilities.
- Physical requirements consistent with a professional office environment, with occasional walking, standing, and site observation.
- May be required to work additional hours in the evening, holidays, or weekends.
- Requires the ability to walk, stand, bend, reach, navigate uneven terrain during occasional site visits or field inspection, lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
The Town of Frederick is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. The Town complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veteran's readjustment Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and all civil rights laws of the State of Colorado. Accordingly, equal opportunity of employment shall be extended to all persons and the Town shall promote equal opportunity and treatment through fair and equitable hiring practices. The Town of Frederick Administration Building is located at 401 Locust Street, Frederick, CO 80530.
Compensation: $122,000.00 - $185,000.00 per year
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Town of Frederick is centrally located along the northern section of Colorado’s beautiful Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Frederick has experienced unprecedented population growth in the last decade, but has managed to hold onto its small town charm. In 2019, Frederick was named the safest mid-sized city in Colorado, and USA Today named Frederick the best place to live in the State of Colorado. We strive to be an employer of choice in the northern metro Denver area by offering our employees a rich benefits package, competitive pay, and a diverse and inclusive culture. We consider ourselves a family. We love to have fun, we empower each other to do our best every day, and we reach out to help each other whenever help is needed. We are dedicated to providing friendly, efficient and innovative services and programs that serve to enrich the lives of our residents.
Apply here.
