PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Job Description

Lead. Innovate. Build Dickinson's Future.

The City of Dickinson is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Public Works Director to lead one of the City's largest and most essential departments. Reporting directly to the City Administrator, this executive leadership position is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all Public Works operations, including Water Utilities, Water Reclamation, Solid Waste & Recycling, Streets, Fleet, Forestry, and Buildings & Grounds.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven leader to guide critical infrastructure, develop high-performing teams, and help shape the future of one of North Dakota's fastest-growing communities.

Why Dickinson?

Located in the heart of western North Dakota, Dickinson is a vibrant community of approximately 25,000 residents and serves as the regional hub for southwest North Dakota. The city offers the perfect balance of career opportunity and quality of life, with excellent schools, regional healthcare, Dickinson State University, a growing business community, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

Residents enjoy affordable housing, short commute times, safe neighborhoods, and year-round recreation. Just minutes from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Dickinson provides easy access to hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, golfing, and the stunning Badlands. Whether you're looking to advance your career or find a place to call home, Dickinson offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact while enjoying an exceptional lifestyle.

What You'll Do

As Public Works Director, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all Public Works operations and services.
• Lead departmental planning, budgeting, capital improvement programming, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Direct a diverse management team while fostering accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee major utility, street, fleet, facilities, solid waste, forestry, and maintenance operations.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Partner with City leadership, engineers, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders to deliver high-quality public services.
• Develop future leaders through mentoring, succession planning, and professional development.
  
  

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with:

• Extensive experience managing complex public works operations.
• Strong organizational, budgeting, and capital project management skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that develops employees and builds effective teams.
• Knowledge of municipal infrastructure, utility operations, public works construction, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Twelve (12) years of progressively responsible public works experience.
• Minimum five (5) years of supervisory and administrative leadership experience.
• Valid Driver's License with the ability to obtain a North Dakota Driver's License within 90 days.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience with municipal work order management systems.
• Experience managing large operating and capital budgets.
• Background leading multi-division public works organizations.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
  
  

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive health insurance
• North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS)
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to lead a talented team while shaping the future infrastructure of a growing city
  
  

Apply Today! Submit your City application, resume, cover letter, and transcript(s) through the City of Dickinson employment website. This position is open on Friday, July 24th, 2026, and we will review applications once the position closes. Find Full Job Description here.

Lead with vision. Build lasting infrastructure. Leave your legacy in Dickinson.

The City of Dickinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employer-Paid Benefits

• Vacation
• 96 hours annually (Years 1-5)
• Sick Leave
• 96 hours annually
• Up to 16 hours/year can be used as Personal Leave
• Longevity Pay
• Annual pay based on tenure (After 5 Years)
• Bereavement Pay
• 3 days per occurrence
• Up to 9 days/year with supervisor approval
• Shift Differential Compensation (nonexempt employees only)
• Additional pay for hours between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM
• Weather & Emergency Closure Leave
• Up to 8 hours pay for scheduled staff
• Premium pay for essential staff required to work
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to $1500 per semester
• Paid Holidays
• 12 holidays + 1 day for your birthday
• Paid holidays: New Year’s, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  
  
Employer/Employee Shared-Cost Benefits

• Health Insurance
• NDPERS Sanford Health Plan PPO
• Employer share: 80%, Employee share: 20% (Additional 1% paid each year of employment, once employed for 20 years, coverage 100% city paid)
• Rates: Family - $470.72/month
• Single - $194.73/month
• Flexible Spending Account
• $450 annual contribution provided by the city for all Full-Time employees to be used for eligible medical expenses
• Mandatory Participation Retirement Plans
• NDPERS Defined Contribution Retirement Plan: Employee 4%, Employer 5.26%, employee can elect to go up another 1-3% with a corresponding employer match in the first 30 days of employment.
• NDPERS Defined Benefit Hybrid Public Safety Plan: Employee 5.5%, Employer 8.81%, RHIC Employer Contribution 1.14%
• Group Voluntary Life Insurance/AD&D (The Standard)
• $60,000 Term Life Insurance
• Employer pays 50% of the premium; employee pays $2.64/month
• Dependent coverage is optional at an additional employee cost
  

Employee-Paid Benefits

• Voluntary Life Insurance Above $60,000 (The Standard)
• Employees may purchase additional coverage at their own cost
• West River Community Center Membership
• 50% discount on annual membership
• Flexible Spending Accounts (HealthEquity)
• Medical: Pre-tax up to $3400 for 2026 plus the employer’s $450 contribution
• Daycare: Pre-tax up to $7500 for 2026
• Vision Insurance (The Standard/VSP)
• Employee Only - $8.04/month
• Employee + Spouse - $13.54/month
• Employee + Children - $13.80/month
• Family - $21.84/month
• Dental Insurance (UnitedHealthcare)
• Low Plan(up to $1000 coverage/year)
• Employee Only - $22.58/month
• Employee + Spouse - $45.47/month
• Employee + Child(ren) - $55.66/month
• Family- $83.83/month
• High Plan(up to $2000 coverage/year)
• Employee Only - $26.08/month
• Employee + Spouse - $52.94/month
• Employee + Child(ren) - $62.42/month
• Family- $94.90/month
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation
• Roth or Pre-Tax options available
• Aflac
• Supplemental insurance (e.g., Short Term Disability, Cancer Care, Accident, etc.)
  

01

Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No
  
  

02

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• Yes, I understand
• Required Question