Job Details

Public Works Director

The City of Canby is seeking a Public Works Director to provide leadership and direction to the City's Public Works Department. The first review of applications will begin on February 10, 2026. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close at any time. Program responsibilities include the construction, operation, and maintenance of the City's infrastructure including streets, sanitary sewer system, storm drainage, water, wastewater treatment facilities, facilities, and the City's parks system. Provide leadership by establishing employee and operational performance measures, goals, and objectives, and establish and maintain a strategic plan for the Public Works Department. Ensures compliance of the City's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requirements. Serve as a member of the City's Leadership Team. Supervisory Responsibilities.

Supervises staff; provides scheduling, formal training, evaluations, and development.

The individual in this position is expected to engage in the following work-related activities:

• Provide supervision and manage staff to ensure City goals and objectives are met. Schedule, assign and review work. Make hiring recommendations. Provide opportunities for developmental training and performance coaching to employees. Conduct performance evaluations. Respond to employee grievances and oversee disciplinary processes according to the collective bargaining agreement and City policy.
• Exhibit leadership to staff and fellow employees. Serve as a model for accomplishing the City's vision and goals. Create an environment in which employees are focused on producing excellent quality results. Set standards for excellence in internal and external customer service. Promote professional, respectful and courteous behavior.
• Develop, review, approve and implement work plans, priorities, services, policies, procedures and reports. Develop long range plans and strategies for Public Works. Track progress in implementing work programs. Set performance standards. Evaluate program effectiveness to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Recommend action for improvement as appropriate.
• Demonstrates sound judgement and a strong understanding in evaluating complex technical and financial information, particularly as it relates to policy development, engineering project management, planning, design, design review, surveying, permit issuance, construction, and mapping and records management.
• Coordinate on infrastructure financial planning, utility rate and fee development and preparation of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), working closely with the Finance Director and City Administrator.
• Coordinate with outside agencies to improve services to City residents. Coordinate with other jurisdictions and departments to successfully implement operations and maintenance work programs and other aspects of infrastructure maintenance.
• Develop bid specifications and RFPs for implementation of Public Works projects performed by outside contractors. Responsible for all Public Works contracts. Manage all contractors performing Public Works projects. Authorize payments to contractors and consultants.
• Responsible for Public Work's emergency coverage and response to include calls after normal business hours, are responded to and handled in a manner that ensures the public's safety and the integrity of the City's infrastructure. Respond to inquiries regarding operation and maintenance of the City's infrastructure.
• Participate in development of the Public Works Department's annual budget and attend Budget Committee meetings, as needed. Research and develop cost estimates to ensure compliance with adopted budget.
• Make recommendations regarding the need for and the allocation of resources based on maintenance program performance levels. Track expenditures of the Public Works Department to ensure expenses remain within the budget. Prepare purchase orders and obtain bids pertaining to purchases of materials. Investigate, evaluate, and develop bid specifications for equipment purchases.
• Attend regional meetings and participate in user groups. Stay abreast of current and upcoming Public Works issues. Act as the City representative and coordinate efforts with local, state and federal agencies.
• Actively promote and support diversity in the workplace through staffing, promotions, training and career development. Provide excellence in internal and external customer service. Create a positive experience for employees and customers through professional and courteous behavior and creative problem resolution. Focus on producing high quality results. Maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, other organizations and the general public.
• Develop safe work habits and contribute to the safety of self, co-workers and the general Public. Provide staff with basic job training and safety instruction.
• Works to create a high-performance culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City's mission, vision, and values.
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Acts ethically; applies ethical standards to daily work and interactions. Works to build confidence in City through own actions.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

The individual in this position is expected to possess or acquire:

• Thorough knowledge of sanitary sewer systems, storm drainage, wastewater treatment facilities, water, and facilities. Additional thorough knowledge of street collections and parks operations, including construction methods, materials, and maintenance procedures.
• Demonstrate initiative and exhibit strong leadership and strategic thinking aligned with the needs of a growing community; employ strategies that have long-term City-wide application.
• Considerable knowledge of the federal, state, and regional guidelines and rules related to the maintenance of the City's infrastructure, to include OSHA and DEQ requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of the vehicles and equipment used for infrastructure maintenance.
• Ability to read and understand engineering plans and specifications.
• Extensive leadership and management experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (e.g., B.A./B.S.) or equivalent from college or university in Public or Business Administration or a related field
• Five years of public works experience
• Two years supervisory experience as Public Works Director or Supervisor
• Or any satisfactory combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the above duties.
• Possession of valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 to 5 years of experience in a municipal Public Works Director or Supervisor or similar management position.
• Preferred Engineering or Civil Engineering background
• Ability to obtain a collections operator III certification.

Mental effort: High degree of concentration with above normal periods of attention, above normal deadlines, or a high degree of creative thinking.

Physical effort: Moderate: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach, and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility. Duties involve moving materials weighing up to 10 pounds on a regular basis and may infrequently require moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds while responding to non-routine situations. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, standard office equipment, and motorized equipment.

Work environment: Moderate Risks/Discomforts: Approximately 30% of the work period takes place outdoors with exposure to all weather conditions, at work sites with exposure to noise levels which may require hearing protection, chemicals, dirt, dust, fumes, and confined spaces. The remainder of the work period occurs under usual office working conditions where the noise level is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.

Travel requirements: Travel occasionally required

Hours required: May require working after hours, evenings and weekends

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background check and reference checks as part of the contingent employment offer process. Certain positions at the City of Canby will also require a drug screen.

Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 verification process confirming authorization to work in the United States.

The City of Canby is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or selection process should contact Human Resources.

The City of Canby prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at the City of Canby are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, age, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, ability, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state and federal law. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Status of Your Application: City of Canby only accepts applications through our online application system. For technical assistance, please call 855-###-####. You will be advised by email of your status at each step in the applications process and through your applicant portal. Please note that the City of Canby communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "