Public Works Director

The City of Florence Oregon is seeking a dynamic and experienced Public Works Director to join its executive leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled public works professional to lead essential infrastructure operations and help shape the future of one of Oregons premier coastal communities. The City is looking for a leader who values collaboration innovation and excellence in public service.

What we are offering:

• Competitive salary: $125000 to $153760/year (max)
• Generous benefits package:
  1. 100% paid premiums for medical dental and vision for eligible employees and dependents (CIS-HDHP-5)
  2. $2500 or $4000 per year paid into the employees Health Savings Account depending on eligibility and coverage level
  3. Paid holiday vacation and sick leave
  4. Eligibility for Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) in Oregon (employee is responsible for 6% pickup; City increases salary by 5% to offset)
  5. Qualification for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  6. To review more about our compensation and benefits please see: to Apply:
     • Complete this application
     • Attach a resume
     • Attach a cover letter

     Recruitment Timeline:

     • Well review applications as they come in. We will conduct a final review by November 17 2025 at 04:00PM
     • Interview and Selection Process: We plan to have three interviews total and the City will work to schedule these with the least amount of inconvenience/travel days. The City does not have a budget available for travel accommodations.
       • PW Panel Interview this panel interview is with several members of the PW crews
       • Department Head Interview this panel interview is with members of the executive leadership team
       • City Manager Interview this final interview will be with the City Manager
     • The top applicant that receives the hiring recommendation and accepts the conditional offer must successfully complete the background. For this position it is an employment and education verification and DMV records check.
     • After completing the background the next step would be to confirm the offer and work together on a start date.

     The City has one vacancy that this recruitment is attempting to fill. We do not have a firm start date in mind and would plan on working with the top candidate to arrive at a mutually agreed upon date. The position may be closed at any time during the process.

     
     

The City of Florence is seeking an experienced forward-thinking Public Works Director to lead a skilled team of professionals responsible for delivering and improving the essential infrastructure that keeps Oregons premiercoastal community running. This is a key executive leadership roleideal for a results-oriented collaborative public works professional ready to guide complex capital projects shape long-term infrastructure strategy and help a growing community prepare for the future.

Florence is a full-service city of 9800 residents that provides water wastewater stormwater streets airport and park services across a broad and diverse service area. The Public Works Department has a staff of 23 full-time employees plus seasonal support and is recognized for its commitment to best practices innovation and fiscal responsibility.

With a new biennial work plan in place the incoming Director will play a central role in advancing several high-impact projects including the 9th Street Neighborhood Project Transit and Mobility Hub Well 14 ConstructionPhase 2 Pump Station Replacements Safe Routes to School and multiple capital and facility upgrades. The Citys workplan and information about these projects can be found here: 25-27 Work Citys leadership team is cohesive and collaborative offering a unique opportunity to help shape Florences infrastructure sustainability and service delivery goals for years to come.

The Public Works Director reports directly to the City Manager and serves as a trusted advisor on infrastructure planning capital investments and organizational strategy as part of the Citys executive leadership team.

The Public Works Director provides leadership vision and management across the Citys core infrastructure programs including:

• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Oversee all divisions within Public WorksWater Wastewater Stormwater Streets Parks Airport Facilities Fleet and Administration. Set departmental goals and priorities aligned with City Council objectives and community needs.

• Capital Project Management: Direct capital improvement planning engineering oversight and construction management for multi-phase projects. Review design proposals ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards and manage RFP and bidding processes.

• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and administer complex departmental budgets monitor expenditures and identify long-term funding strategies to ensure cost-effective and sustainable service delivery.

• Team Development and Supervision: Lead a skilled team of division supervisors and field staff providing mentorship professional development and performance management.

• Policy and Technical Expertise: Provide informed analysis and recommendations to the City Manager and Council on public works policies capital investments and infrastructure priorities.

• Intergovernmental and Public Engagement: Represent the City in regional and state discussions; foster collaboration with partner agencies contractors and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a strategic hands-on public works leader who combines strong administrative skill with operational understanding. They are an approachable team-oriented professional who values collaboration accountability and service excellence. They will bring proven success in managing multi-division operations and implementing capital projects in a municipal or regional public works environment.

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering Construction Management Public or Business Administration or a related field.

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public works operations and maintenance including at least five years in a senior management role.

• Valid Oregon Drivers License (or ability to obtain within 90 days).

• Ability to obtain NIMS certifications (ICS-and 800) within 18 months.

• Masters degree in Public or Business Administration.

• Advanced experience managing multiple divisions or functional areas.

• Knowledge of Oregon municipal operations regulations and funding mechanisms.

• Experience working in or with coastal or environmentally sensitive communities.

Our Hiring Process

• After you apply for the position we review all requested application materials to determine if your demonstrated knowledge skills and abilities qualify you for the position. We apply Veterans Preference points at each step in the process including this step (see below for more information about Veterans Preference).
  • You can use this time to prepare for a potential interview by reviewing our website including our interview tips: you are one of the best qualified we will reach out to schedule an initial interview. The initial interview is a panel interview that may be conducted asone-way video interview through our partner Spark Hire a video interview over zoom or in-person. If you are not selected after this stage we will let you know you were not selected. If this is you keep an eye on our open roles for the next opportunity that might be a match.
  • The top scoring applicants from this initial interview round will be asked to conduct an in-person panel interview key staff you may be working with. However this depends upon the position/ certain circumstances the City may forgo the in-person panel interview and move on to the Department Head in-person interview. All applicants will go through the same process.
  • The Department Head interview is typically the final stages of the process and your chance to leave an impression through your enthusiasm preparation abilities and resume. After this interview the Department Head and the City Manager will meet to discuss the candidates and the City Manager will make the final decision based on the Department Heads recommendation.
  • Human Resources will reach out to all applicants and confirm their status in the application process. The top candidate will receive a conditional offer that specifies what background procedures will be conducted (depends upon position).
  • Applicants not selected may be placed on an eligibility list for the Department to use in the 6 months following the close of the recruitment. Applicants will be notified if they are placed on the eligibility list. This list will allow the Department to pick up with the candidates where they left off in the recruitment should another vacancy for the same position become available. The eligibility list may be closed at any time by the sole discretion of the Department Head.

  Our Hiring Policies

  • We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression transgender status sexual stereotypes age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability genetic information or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with applicable federal state and local law. You can view our EEO Policy here: City is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants if needed during the interview process. To request an accommodation please email. You can view our ADA policy here: meet the general notice requirements of the FMLA the City must display a poster in plain view for all workers and applicants to see notifying them of the FMLA provisions and providing information concerning how to file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division. Our compliance with this requirement can be found here: City adheres to Veterans Preference laws and practices. If you qualify for and wish to claim Veterans preference you must assert your Veterans Preference on the application and supply the required documentation by the closing date and time of the application. You can view information about what is required/qualifying here: Experience:

    Director