Deputy Director - Public Works

Deputy Director - Public Works Salary: $102,460.80 - $117,332.80 Annually

Location: La Crosse, WI Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 00678 Department/Division: Engineering and Public Works Opening Date: 02/03/2026

Job Description

The City of La Crosse is seeking to hire a full-time Professional Engineer to be an essential member of the Engineering & Public Works team. The Departments are responsible for designing, installing, and managing various infrastructure throughout the City of La Crosse. The individual in this position will work with a dedicated team of employees whose actions improve the lives of the citizens of La Crosse daily.

Responsibilities

The purpose of this position is to assist with supervision and direction of staff and the delivery of projects, services, maintenance, and operations of public works infrastructure. Assist with daily engineering and utilities departments activities. Assist with direction of management of Engineering and Utilities Departments (Water, Sewer, and Storm).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and five years' experience.
• Wisconsin-registered Professional Engineer, or ability to transfer license from another state within six months.
• Valid driver's license is required.
• Proficiency in MS Office products and municipal experience are a plus.

Benefits

The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical benefit plans
• Wisconsin Retirement Plan
• Deferred compensation
• Roth IRA
• Life insurance
• Accident insurance
• Income continuation insurance
• Voluntary dental and vision plans
• Paid holidays
• Vacations
• Sick leave

Additional Benefits

• Traditional or high deductible (with HSA) medical plan options available
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System with 7.20% employer contribution
• 10 paid holidays
• Ability to earn up to 12 sick days per year
• Vacation time available as of date of hire

Selected Candidate

Selected candidate is subject to a background check and post-offer/pre-employment drug screen.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted until the position is filled. To be considered, submit an employment application by visiting the City of La Crosse website and clicking on City Services, then clicking Career Opportunities or by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacrossewi.

Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to assist with direction of staff and delivery of projects, services, maintenance, and operations of all public works infrastructure. Assist with daily engineering and utilities department activities and staff. Assist with direction of management of Engineering and Utilities Departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned:

• Assists with supervision of departmental activities and staff for all of Engineering & Utilities, including Water, Sewer, and Storm.
• Assigns tasks and projects, determines operations, monitors progress.
• Conducts staff performance evaluations.
• Administers discipline.
• Works directly with Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents of Sewer and Water, including Treatment Plant, Sewers, Well, and Waterworks.
• Receives and handles complaints, inquiries and concerns from the public, elected officials, and other City departments regarding engineering records, public works projects and City infrastructure.
• Conducts studies to determine needs for projects and services.
• Prepares study reports and recommendations.
• Directs project development and construction contract administration.
• Provides information to the public, city departments and other agencies regarding projects and services.
• Researches issues and notifies inquiring party regarding findings.
• Testifies as expert witness for germane subjects related to liability and accountability for Engineering & Public works.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assists with preparation of capital and operating budgets.
• Monitors operating and capital expenditures.
• Applies for grants and alternative funding, prepares reimbursements, and facilitates interagency financial agreements.
• Assigns capital improvement project design and construction tasks to engineers, project specialists, and technicians.
• Assists with direction and oversight of maintenance and updates of accurate records for underground utilities and GIS.
• Assists with direction and oversight of preparing annual reports of City facilities, including streets and utilities for records, operations, and reimbursements.
• Directs maintenance and updates of traffic signal systems, flood levees, utilities networks, and emergency systems.
• Responds to public records requests and prepares court testimony.
• Assist with direction and oversight of preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for public works projects.
• Administers public works contracts to ensure compliance with contract provisions.
• Reviews contract work for proper completion.
• Prepares Ordinances and Resolutions, and recommends policy changes.
• Monitors City participation in State Local Road improvement program.
• Oversees Maintenance of Gas Tax Mapping.
• Determines projects to be funded.
• Prepares grant agreement and submits reimbursement requests to the state.

Physical and Mental Abilities

• Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.
• Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information.
• Ability to counsel, mediate and/or provide first line supervision.
• Ability to persuade, convince, and train others.
• Ability to advise and provide interpretation regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as various permits, utility billing statements, non-routine correspondence, press releases, public service announcements, time sheets, diagrams, schematics, site plans, architectural drawings, construction plans, maps, charts, technical traffic studies, public works project specifications, traffic signal manuals, computer software operating manuals, ordinances, state statutes, traffic control forms, DOT Facilities Development Manual, roadway specifications, computer languages, engineering manuals and Employee Handbook.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with engineers, City employees, Common Council members, vendor representatives, news media representatives, service organizations and the general public.
• Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas.
• Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data.
• Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing and controlling.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria which are clearly measurable.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as motor vehicle, stopwatch, computer terminal, traffic signal controller, traffic counter, tape measure, drafting instruments, telephone and measuring wheel.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing movements requiring skill and training, such as drawing, data entry and assembling.
• Ability to exert very moderate but not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors and shapes associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
• Ability to work under conditions which require exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations and extremes, noise, machinery and traffic hazards, electrical systems, open trenches, and observation of confined space entry.

Training and Experience

• Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, with five to seven years of experience, with knowledge and experience with public works projects, maintenance, and operations.
• Wisconsin registered professional engineer.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Strong communication skills required.
• Proficient in MS Office products.
• Use of Procore for project and department management.

City of La Crosse

The City of La Crosse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Benefits Summary

The City of La Crosse offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

1. Medical Benefit Plan - Offered to all full-time, non-represented or unionized employees.
2. Pension (Wisconsin Retirement System-WRS) - Automatic enrollment for full-time positions.
3. Life Insurance - (follows WRS eligibility)
4. Income Continuation Insurance - (follows WRS enrollment)
5. Section #125 Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more.
6. Vision Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more.
7. Dental Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more.
8. 457 Deferred Compensation Plan - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more.
9. Roth IRA - Offered to non-represented or unionized employees working 20 hours/week or more.
10. Paid Leave Time - Vacation, sick leave, personal business leave, family care leave, and holidays.

Contact Information

City of La Crosse 400 La Crosse St La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601 Phone: (608)789-7574 Website: http://www.cityoflacrosse.org