The Town of Southbury is hiring a full-time Public Works Director, responsible for leading, planning, and managing Highway and Transfer Station departmental operations, including road and bridge maintenance, snow and ice removal, solid waste and recycling operations, fleet management, and procurement of equipment and services.
Salary Range: $85k-$115k/year
Hours: 35 hours/week
Duties and Responsibilities
- Direct and manage the Highway and Transfer Station departments.
- Prepare the annual operating budgets and road and bridge expenditure plans; participate in the Town’s formal budget review process and manage the approved budgets effectively.
- Respond to winter storms appropriately, ensuring roads are plowed, salted and safe for travel.
- Develop specifications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for materials, equipment, projects, vehicles, and contracted services.
- Lead short- and long-term planning for the Town’s public works needs.
- Plan, coordinate and oversee maintenance and improvement projects for roads, bridges, stormwater infrastructure and the municipal fleet.
- Ensure projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
- Coordinate permitting and regulatory approvals with agencies and departments.
- Track expenditures, prepare cost estimates, and ensure work is completed within approved budgets.
- Coordinate and respond to emergencies, ensuring proper staffing, equipment deployment, and post event cleanup.
- Manage operations of the Town Transfer Station, including solid waste and recycling collection and disposal.
- Negotiate and oversee contracts with private vendors for maintenance, improvements, and emergency services.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and implement and enforce safety policies, procedures, and training programs.
- Delegate tasks and manage staff to ensure efficient and effective department operations.
- Prepare grant applications and manage grant-funded projects.
- Respond to citizen requests within targeted timeframes and respond to citizen inquiries and concerns
- Advise the Road Study Committee and manage the Five-Year Road Plan.
- Coordinate damage assessment and FEMA reporting for severe storms and natural disasters.
- Serve on the Local Emergency Planning Commission and Emergency Operations Center.
- Prepare reports, project updates, and recommendations for the First Selectman and boards and commissions
- Maintain accurate records of work orders, maintenance activities, inspections, and costs.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of public works construction, road and bridge maintenance and public works operational procedures.
- Ability to apply construction inspection principles to field challenges.
- Working knowledge of solid waste operations, landfills, and transfer station procedures.
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills, including experience presenting to boards and commissions.
- Willingness and ability to attend and participate in relevant board and commission meetings, typically held during evening hours.
- Experience with collective bargaining agreements and managing in a union setting.
- Understanding of budgeting principles and demonstrated ability to manage multiple operating and capital budgets.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with staff, leadership, and the public.
- Proficiency with road management software, GIS and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to manage high-stress situations, particularly during Town emergencies.
- Ability to work extended or irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, or emergency response situations, as operational needs require.
Required Equipment Operations
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including but not limited to copy machines, computers and printers. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, CAMA and GIS systems and road management software. Must possess a valid motor vehicle license.
Required Physical Effort
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit at a desk or stand at an assigned workstation for extended periods while using office equipment.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull tools, materials, or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance.
- Ability to physically inspect properties throughout the Town, requiring continuous walking, bending, climbing stairs, reaching, and similar movements.
- Ability to traverse uneven or rough terrain during site and construction inspections; must use appropriate protective measures on construction sites.
- Ability to sustain extended work periods during ice and snowstorms, with periodic rest breaks and potential exposure to extreme weather conditions.
- Frequent highway driving required.
Required Qualifications (Minimum)
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field (Master’s preferred). Minimum of 10 years of public works, construction management or engineering experience with at least 5 years in a supervisory role. State of Connecticut license as a Professional Civil Engineer is preferred. An equivalent level of education and experience will be considered. Possession of a valid motor vehicle license is required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a Town of Southbury employment application, resume and cover letter (all in pdf format) to hr@southbury-ct.gov.
Deadline to submit applications is June 30, 2026.
The Town of Southbury is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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