Job Description
THE CITY OF PORTALES, NEW MEXICO POSITION POSTING: 2025-018
POSITION: PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
STATUS: EXEMPT
REPORTS TO: CITY MANAGER
SHIFT: FULL-TIME, REGULAR
SALARY: SALARY RANGE: $ 89,500.00 - $102,248.00 DOE
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under general direction from the City Manager, the Director of Public Works is responsible for the management of personnel, budget/finances, and equipment and the development and implementation of programs, policies and procedures related to the operation and supervision of the City of Portales Public Works Departments which include the following: Water, Wastewater, Parks, Streets, Mechanics, Sanitation Collection and Disposal. The director supervises or directs these roles to accomplish tasks and objectives, ensuring alignment with departmental goals, providing guidance on budgets, operations, and personnel management, and integrating their specific responsibilities into broader Public Works initiatives. Using asset management principles and practices, is responsible for City infrastructure, and enterprise utilities. Internal services programs for the Public Works departments in the areas of fleet, purchasing, Utility Billing and Geographic Information Systems. Work involves significant community engagement and public involvement with elected officials, other policy makers, and residents. Engages and collaborates with local, state, and federal agencies. Collaborates with the City Council and other City departments on strategy and policy to ensure that the City’s mission and core values are incorporated into operational activities and services.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Although the following are typical of the tasks and responsibilities routinely performed, additional duties and/or responsibilities requiring comparable or lesser skills, knowledge, or dexterity may be assigned. The primary responsibilities shall be regulated by the City Manager and are not listed in any order of primary job function.
Develop long-range proposals which go beyond basic procedural and maintenance matters and include long and short-range plans for converting excising systems over to save space, time and labor and improve services, cutting costs, and trying new procedures, systems and techniques that provide better service to the public while protecting the environment and conserving vital resources. Incumbent will also initiate and/or participate in meetings with City Manager and the public works council committee as appropriate to present and discuss various planning proposal, as well as assistance on all citywide planning matters and projects related to water, wastewater, and sanitation collection and disposal services. May expect to have extensive contact with businesses, City Engineers, professional and community representatives. Contact may be of individual nature, or may involve participation in committee, meetings, conferences and seminars. Generally, the purpose of such contacts will be to clarify the policies, procedures and programs developed by the department and to obtain information that is beneficial in the modification of excising policies, procedures and programs and/or in the development of new ones.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: • Oversees the operations and plans of the Public Works Department.
• Plans for long range public works projects.
• Meets with City Council Public Works Committee regularly, receive recommendation and provides suggestions
for decision making process.
• Assists divisions in preparation and presentation of annual budgets.
• Regularly monitors budget to ensure expenditures of divisions are within authorized budget.
• Coordinates public works activities with County, State and Federal governments.
• Works with engineers in planning, design and construction of public works infrastructure improvements.
• Manage staff performance through goal setting, coaching, evaluations, and corrective action, in alignment with
City policies: oversees development recognition and disciplinary decisions.
• Assist procurement office with the preparation of bid documents and specifications for public works and utilities
projects.
• Assist in review and evaluation of subdivision plats and development plans in City and within City extra-
territorial jurisdiction.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the City Manager.
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS: • Five years of progressively responsible experience in public works, engineering, or municipal operations.
• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is
preferred.
• Demonstrated skill in managing multifaceted operations and supervising staff within geographically dispersed
and functionally diverse environments.
• Experience in Grant Writing for Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste.
• Comprehensive knowledge of public works operations including water and wastewater treatment, stormwater
management, sanitation systems, street construction and maintenance, and heavy equipment repair.
• Knowledge of and experience with OSHA laws and regulations.
• Demonstrates outstanding written and verbal communication skills across multiple platforms and settings.
• Proven experience managing and supervising teams in complex operational environments.
• Knowledge of municipal public works and landfill systems, including planning, design, construction, and
maintenance.
• Knowledge in applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations pertaining to public works and solid
waste functions.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, and implement municipal public works and solid waste programs/projects.
• Ability to create and implement clear and comprehensive written reports.
• Maintain strong relationships with the city officials, employees, contractors, the general public, and
representatives of other agencies.
SPECIAL JOB CONDITIONS: Attendance of regular and or special meetings of the City Council as determined by The City Manager. Overnight travel may be required for training purposes.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS: 1. Must pass a background investigation including work history, criminal records, driving records and other
records deemed necessary.
2. Must pass a post-offer pre-employment drug screen administered by a City-designated facility
CONDITIONS OF CONTINUES EMPLOYMENT: 1. Must possess or obtain a valid New Mexico Driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
2. Candidates must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and insurability in accordance with the City’s
insurance carrier.
WORK SCHEDULE: Exempt position, not subject to overtime pay, hours corresponding with Public Works hours. May frequently be required to attend night meetings, and subject to call out in emergency situations, nights and weekends.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED APPLICATION: Position to remain open until filled.
The City of Portales is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Shift work, Night shift, Weekend work,