Description

The City of Saugatuck is seeking its next Director of Public Works.

Why Saugatuck?

Nationally Recognized: Named #2 Best Small Coastal Town by USA Today, ahead of Key West!
Natural Beauty: Abundance of pristine waterfront from Lake Michigan to the Kalamazoo River.
Vibrant Downtown: Eclectic and bustling, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Oval Beach: Saugatuck's pride and joy.
Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area: A breathtaking 173-acre must-see.
Inclusive Community: Embraces pride and diversity.
Supportive Team: A dedicated and talented City team ready to help you succeed.
Historic Charm: Our Historic District shows our care for history.
Welcoming Atmosphere: Safe, friendly, and community-focused.
Urban Access: Enjoy big-city amenities with nearby Grand Rapids just a short drive away.
Small Town Life with Urban Flair: Enjoy the best of both worlds.

Position Summary

Using a combination of in-house staff and contracted service providers, provides administrative and operational leadership of public works operations and services. Responsibilities include oversight of construction, maintenance, and repair activities associated with municipal infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, traffic control, signage, parking, parks and facilities, waterfront assets, utilities, motor pool fleet, and seasonal operations.

The position is responsible for coordinating maintenance, projects, and capital improvement activities; planning and budgeting; contract administration; and ensuring effective service delivery across all functional areas. The position also participates in field operations as needed, particularly during peak workloads, complex projects, or emergency situations.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $82,000 - $107,000 (depending on experience)
Paid Time Off: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 1 year
Paid Holidays: 13 days
Health Benefits: Employer-paid health insurance premiums
Dental and Vision: Reimbursement plan
Pension and Defined Contribution Plan: MERS Hybrid Pension/DC Plan with a 1.5% multiplier and 6% DC contribution
457 Plan: Optional with employer match up to 4%
Cell Phone Reimbursement

Essential Job Functions

Department Leadership & Operations - Plans, directs, and oversees all public works operations and services. Establishes departmental priorities, policies, and procedures to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality service delivery. Ensures proper use, maintenance, and preservation of City assets, equipment, and facilities.

Personnel Management & Safety - Supervises and develops staff through hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline in coordination with the City Manager. Establishes and enforces safety policies and procedures, including implementation of a comprehensive safety program.

Operational Oversight - Ensures completion of public works construction, maintenance, and repair activities across all functional areas, including streets, utilities, parks, facilities, waterfront assets, and fleet operations. Participates in field operations as needed, particularly during peak workloads, complex projects, or emergency situations, including responding to situations outside normal business hours.

Capital Projects & Asset Management - Leads planning and implementation of capital improvement projects and asset management programs. Coordinates with engineers, contractors, and consultants to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with City standards.

Community & Intergovernmental Relations - Responds to resident inquiries and concerns, and fosters positive community relations. Maintains effective working relationships with other governmental entities, including regional utilities, authorities, and service providers, to improve coordination and service delivery.

Oval Beach Operations - Oversees operations of Oval Beach and related park facilities, including concession services, entrance booth, beach patrols, and safety programs, through supervision of the Oval Beach Manager responsible for day-to-day operations.

Contract Administration & Procurement - Develops specifications, manages bid processes, and oversees vendor selection. Administers contracts to ensure compliance with performance standards, timelines, and budget requirements.

Budgeting & Administration - Prepares and administers the departmental budget. Participates in long-range financial planning, including capital improvement programming and equipment replacement. Tracks projects and operations, prepares reports, and ensures compliance with applicable state and federal reporting requirements.

Meetings & Professional Development - Attends City Council, committee, and other meetings as required. Remains current on regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and emerging trends through training and professional development.

Other Duties - Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

-Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, public administration, business administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

-Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible public works related experience, including supervisory and administrative responsibilities.

-Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.

Knowledge

-Public works operations, including best practices, policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance.
-Capital improvement planning, asset management, project delivery, budget development and administration, procurement, and contractor/consultant oversight.
-Methods, procedures, and tasks associated with maintenance, repair, and construction of infrastructure systems.
-Tools, materials, and equipment used in public works operations, including operation and basic maintenance of equipment.
-Safety standards, regulations, and procedures related to public works and utility operations

Skills and Abilities

-Team leadership, supervision, and staff development.
-Strong at problem-solving.
-Strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under deadlines.
-Ability to work constructively and interact professionally with employees, elected officials, the general public, and various professional contacts.
-Ability to handle difficult public relations issues with tact and diplomacy.  
-Ability to work effectively under stress in emergency and confrontational situations.
-Ability to prepare and maintain a wide variety of records and reports according to accepted standards.
-Ability to obtain a valid State of Michigan Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with the designations appropriate for the City’s fleet.
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn municipal software systems.
-Ability to serve in an on-call capacity and respond to public works emergencies outside of normal business hours.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can view the full job description through the City of Saugatuck's website: https://www.saugatuckcity.com/employment

Send cover letter, resume, and professional references to:

Ryan Cummins – City Manager

rcummins@saugatuckcity.com

The City of Saugatuck is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.