Public Works Director

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Zebulon, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 00118
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 03/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/5/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

Description

Join Team Zebulon

The Town of Zebulon values the individual talents and innovative ideas each team member brings to our community. As the "Town of Friendly People," we're seeking dedicated professionals to help shape our growing community.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance
• North Carolina state retirement benefits
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and most state holidays
• Support for continuing education and professional development

As one of the fastest-growing communities in the Triangle region, Zebulon offers unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Join our team where your contributions are valued, your growth is prioritized, and your work directly enhances the quality of life for our residents.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $111,298 - $154,817
Detailed Work Activities

Under general direction of the Town Manager (or their designee), performs professional, technical, and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing the Town's comprehensive communications, public information, and community engagement programs. Develops and implements strategic communications, marketing initiatives, and public relations to promote Town services, programs, and activities to residents, businesses, visitors, and employees.

This is a department head position responsible for the leadership and management of all Public Works functions. The position exercises considerable independent judgment and initiative in the administration of departmental operations and serves as a member of the Town's senior leadership team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates all personnel, functions, and activities of the Public Works Department; develops and implements policies, procedures, and work methods.

• Provides executive leadership and strategic planning for the department; develops long-range plans for infrastructure improvements, maintenance programs, and capital projects.

• Prepares and administers the annual operating and capital improvement budgets for the department; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budgets.

• Develops specifications for public works materials, equipment, and construction projects; oversees the bidding process and contract administration.

• Directs the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of town infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, and other public facilities.

• Manages the town's solid waste collection services and yard waste center; ensures compliance with applicable permits and regulations.

• Oversees fleet maintenance operations and develops vehicle/equipment replacement schedules; administers the disposal/surplus process.

• Coordinates public works activities with other town departments, outside agencies, and private contractors; resolves complex problems and addresses citizen concerns.

• Researches and writes grant applications for infrastructure and capital improvement projects; administers awarded grants according to applicable requirements.

• Develops and implements preventive maintenance programs for town infrastructure and facilities to maximize service life and minimize repair costs.

• Serves as town representative for construction and maintenance projects, including special facilities such as the Five County Stadium.

• Ensures department compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including OSHA safety requirements, environmental regulations, and procurement laws.

• Prepares and submits required reports to regulatory agencies regarding Yard Waste Center operations, solid waste, stormwater activities, and other public works functions.

• Establishes and maintains effective emergency response protocols for public works operations during severe weather events and other emergencies.

• Represents the department before the Town Council, various boards, commissions, and community groups; provides technical information and professional recommendations.

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates department personnel; ensures staff receives proper training in equipment operation, safety procedures, and technical skills.

• Manages the department's public communications including website content, public information materials, and community outreach efforts.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

(This listing is intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.)
Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration, construction management, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public works operations, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid North Carolina driver's license and obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within twelve months of employment.

• Certification as a Public Works Professional through the American Public Works Association is highly desirable.

• Must complete NIMS/ICS training as required for local government emergency management positions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public works administration, engineering, and construction.

• Thorough knowledge of modern construction equipment, tools, and methodologies utilized in public works operations and maintenance.

• Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards pertaining to public works, stormwater management, solid waste, and environmental compliance.

• Thorough knowledge of public administration principles including budgeting, personnel management, and organizational leadership.

• Strong knowledge of public procurement laws, bidding procedures, and contract administration.

• Ability to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and operations staff.

• Proficiency in developing and administering complex municipal budgets and monitoring financial performance.

• Skill in preparing comprehensive plans, technical reports, and detailed specifications for public works projects.

• Ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise written and oral presentations.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, other department heads, employees, contractors, regulatory officials, and the general public.

• Skill in using computer applications including project management software, GIS systems, spreadsheets, and word processing.

The Town of Zebulon is dedicated to providing unique benefits that meet the needs of our employees and their families. We offer the following benefits to all full-time permanent employees:

Please note that the following is only a summary of Town employee benefits and policies. For further details and additional information, please refer to the Town of Zebulon Personnel Administration Policy handbook or see Human Resources. This document does not constitute a guarantee of benefits.

Annual Leave:Vacation accrues as follows:

Vacation is accrued on the 2nd Payroll of each month. Employees hired on or before the 15th of the month accrue annual leave during that month. Employees hired after the 15th do not accrue annual leave for the month in which they are hired. Employees are not permitted to use their vacation time during their probationary period except when approved by the Town Manager. Employees are permitted to accumulate vacation time with no maximum throughout the year. However, all accumulated vacation time over 240 hours at the end of the calendar year will be transferred to your sick leave.

Sick Leave: All employees earn eight hours of sick leave each month. There is no maximum accumulation of sick leave. Any employee hired on or before the 15th of the month accrues sick leave during that month. Employees hired after the 15th do not accrue sick leave for the month in which they are hired.

Petty Leave: Each employee earns 14 hours of petty leave per year (1.17 hours per month). Petty leave may be taken by employees with the approval of their supervisor. Any amount after two hours will not be approved as petty leave. Petty leave lapses at the calendar year end.

Holidays: The Town follows the basic holidays that the State of NC follows, except we add the employees birthday as a holiday. Each employee receives 13 holidays per year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Birthday, Good Friday, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), Christmas (3 days), and Employee's Birthday.

Maternity/Paternity Leave: Maternity/Paternity leave is composed of approved paid and unpaid time away from work for pregnancy or placing of a child related reasons. A combination of compensatory time, sick, vacation, and leave without pay may be used during this time if the necessary requirements are met.

Bereavement Leave: Bereavement leave may be used to attend the funeral for a death in the employee's immediate family, but may not exceed three days for any one occurrence.

Civil Leave: An employee called for jury duty or as a court witness for the federal or state governments or subdivision thereof shall receive leave with pay for such duty during the required absence without charge to accumulated vacation or sick leave. Any court fees paid to the employee are allowed to be retained by the employee. While on civil leave, benefits and leave shall accrue as though on regular duty. Employees required to be in court for their own case, defendant or plaintiff, must use compensatory, petty or vacation leave.

Military Leave: Any employee who is a member of an Armed Forces Reserve Organization or the National Guard will be granted ten workdays per year for military training. This leave is not charged to annual leave; however, any salary payment that the employee receives from the military shall be deducted from the employee's regular salary paid by the Town.

FMLA Leave: Any employee eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act is eligible for 12-weeks of leave. FMLA leave will run concurrently with all workers compensation leave, short term disability, maternity and any other leave that qualifies. The employee is required to notify their supervisor and Human Resources of the need to be out on leave and must also provide Human Resources with the necessary documentation.

Social Security Deductions: Employees are covered under FICA (Federal Medicare and Social Security program). The FICA deduction is taken each pay period. The Town of Zebulon matches and contributes this amount to the Social Security Administration.

Workers' Compensations Salary Supplement: All full-time employees are covered by worker' compensation. Employees with a job-related injury are paid 66 percent of their salary from the Town via an independent workers' compensation insurance carrier. The employee may elect to use accumulated compensatory time, vacation or sick leave to augment workers' compensation pay.

Credit Union: Employees may join the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Federal Credit Union. For information contact the Credit Union at 919/269-5477 or refer to the NCLGFCU packet.

Health Insurance: The Town provides health insurance coverage for all full-time employees. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Spouse, dependent, or family coverage is also available. Employees are responsible for paying additional premiums for any dependent coverage. See your health care package for further details.

Dental Insurance: Dental insurance is provided for Town employees at no cost to the employee. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Spouse, dependent, and family coverage is also available. Employees are responsible for paying additional premiums for any dependent coverage. See your dental care package for further details.

Vision Insurance: Vision insurance is provided for Town employees at no cost to the employee. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Employee has the opportunity to purchase vision insurance for their family members.

Note: As part of the Town's cafeteria plan you may choose to not be carried under the Town health insurance plan, provided you can show proof of some other type of group health coverage. You also may opt out of the dental insurance plan. If you choose not to be carried under the plan, you may receive a portion of the premiums that would be paid if you selected to be covered under the Town's plan. Any opt out pay is determined by the Board of Commissioners.

Supplemental Insurance: Various supplemental insurance policies, including accident, cancer, and hospitalization insurance, are available through Colonial Life at the cost of the employee. See your Colonial Life packet for further details.

Disability Insurance: Full-time employees have short-term disability insurance provided by the Town of Zebulon. Disability Insurance pays an employee 66 percent of their weekly salary when supported by medical documentation of disability and department head verification of known disability. The employee may elect to use accumulated compensatory time, vacation or sick leave to augment disability pay. Disability insurance begins paying on the sixth workday of any disability and/or after all accrued vacation, compensation time and sick time is exhausted. Maximum duration of short-term disability leave is 26 weeks. The Town does not offer long-term disability.

Long Term Disability Insurance: Long Term Disability Insurance is available to employees at their own expense. This insurance is through Hartford Insurance.

Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D): The Town pays for employee individual term life insurance and AD&D at one time their annual salary. Insurance coverage becomes effective 30 days after hire date. Employees also have the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for them self or their family members through Hartford Insurance. Employee is responsible for paying all premiums for family and additional coverage.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees have the opportunity (after six months of employment) to have amounts deducted from their pay pre-tax and placed in a flexible spending account. Please speak to the Finance Department staff if you have questions or are interested in participating in this program.

Death Benefit: An employee with one year of service time in the NC Local Governmental Employees Retirement System is covered by a death benefit paid to his or her beneficiary. It is equal to the employee highest 12-month salary not to exceed $150,000.

Retirement System/Deductions: All full-time employees are members of the State Retirement System. Police officers are members of the Local Law Enforcement Retirement System while other employees are members of the Local Government Retirement System. All Town full-time employees are required to contribute six percent of their salary to the retirement system and the Town contributes to the system based on rates determined by the state. Employees are vested after five years in the State Retirement System.

Supplement Retirement: The Town contributes additional retirement equal to five percent of the employee's salary to a supplemental plan for each full-time employee. All full-time employees are members of the Prudential NC 401(k) program. Employees are not required but also may contribute additional amounts to these plans, including a Roth 401(k) plan. See your Prudential handbook for further details.

NC529 Plan: Employees have the opportunity to have amounts deducted from their pay and sent to the College Foundation of NC National College Saving Program. Please refer to the College Foundation handout for more information.

COBRA: All full-time employees are covered under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, meaning that, upon leaving employment with the Town, they can continue to be covered under the Town's health and dental plans at their own cost.

THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY AND IN NO WAY CONSTITUTES A GUARANTEE OF BENEFITS TO BE OFFERED
01

Do you have a valid NC driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you hold a CDL License? If so, what class?
03

Do you have any GIS experience? If yes, please describe.
04

Do you have any type of certifications? If so, please describe.
05

Do you have experience in infrastructure project management? If yes, please describe.
06

This position may require nights, weekends and/or occasional holiday work, especially during inclement weather. Can you accommodate a flexible schedule?

• Yes
• No

07

Outline your experience with budget management and cost control for public works projects. How do you ensure projects are completed within budget?
08

Describe how your educational background has prepared you to develop and implement effective Public Works strategies in a public sector environment.
09

Describe your experience with managing and supervising a diverse team of public works employees, please include the number of years you have leading such teams.
10

The hiring salary for the position is posted on the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate to maintain internal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.

• Yes
• No

Required Question