| Location | Leawood, KS |
Position Description
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Position Title: Assistant Director - Public Works / City Engineer Department/Division: Public Works / Inspection, Design Reports To: Director of Public Works Direct Supervision: Project Engineers, Construction Inspectors, Right of Way Technician , Engineering Technician Pay Grade: 124 Position Type: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt EEO Code: 1 - Officials/ Administrators
Technology Category: Mobile Device: Y Remote Access: Y Category A
Exposure Category: Category 3 NIMS Classification: Safety Sensitive: N Emergency Response: Y
Last Modified: 09/23/2025
Summary/Objective The Assistant Director - Public Works / City Engineer oversees contract and project management, supervises the Inspections Division and Design Division, and assists in the Department administration. Manages and coordinates all projects and services of the Inspection and Design divisions, including all public street, storm drainage, bridge, and miscellaneous public projects; engineering studies and reports; and maintenance of all public plans, maps, and plats. This position represents the Public Works Department in the absence of the Director.
Essential Functions / Responsibilities
Departmental Leadership & Administration Assist the Director of Public Works in managing overall departmental operations, including personnel, budget, and policy development. Represent the department in the Director's absence, making decisions that impact city- wide infrastructure and service delivery. Support the Director in developing long-range strategies for infrastructure sustainability, innovation, and efficiency. Monitor and evaluate the quality, responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness of the engineering and inspection programs and services. Participate in department-wide priority setting, workload balancing, and operational planning.
Budget & Financial Oversight Assist in preparing, presenting, and administering the annual Department budget; participates in forecasting future division needs, including but not limited to equipment, cost estimates for future expansion of major programs, vehicle replacements, and engineering projects.
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Monitor expenditures and funding sources for multiple divisions and projects. Provide recommendations for capital planning, revenue forecasting, and operational efficiencies.
Policy & Program Development Collaborate with the Director in creating and updating policies, ordinances, and procedures to improve service delivery and regulatory compliance. Lead strategic initiatives related to sustainability, resilience, and innovation in public works. Oversee implementation of city-wide initiatives such as safety, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure modernization. Monitor and evaluate the Engineering and Inspection divisions' efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures. Responsible for implementing new service delivery methods and department procedures if approved by the Director.
Interdepartmental & Public Engagement Serve as liaison between Public Works and other City departments, regional partners, and state/federal agencies. Engage with elected officials, boards, committees, and the public to communicate departmental goals and progress. Prepare and deliver presentations on infrastructure projects, capital programs, and policy initiatives. Works with the City's ADA Coordinator, overseeing City facilities, capital improvement projects, and other projects, adhering to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Staff Leadership & Development Provide executive-level support in recruiting, developing, and retaining professional and technical staff across multiple Public Works divisions. Lead succession planning efforts to ensure continuity of leadership and technical expertise. Conduct employee performance appraisals, provide development opportunities and performance improvement needs and handle disciplinary actions. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the department. Assist in developing and implementing department goals, objectives, policy, and procedures, and formulating long-term development and improvement programs. Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the Engineering, Inspection, and Public Works program development and implementation.
Design, Inspection, and Capital Improvement Projects Oversee all phases of land development, residential and commercial. Duties may include, but are not limited to, working with the Planning Department on the approval process, obtaining City Council approval, conducting the design review, managing the construction phase, and receiving final approval when the project phase is complete.
Position Description
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Oversee the Inspection and Design division. Direct staff in investigating, developing, designing, and constructing various engineering projects and programs. Establish the scope of work for each project. Ensure the enforcement of construction standards and regulations related to public improvement projects, structures, and systems. Review final plans and construction documents before submitting them to the City Council or designated committee for final approval. Oversee development and execution of the department's Capital Improvement Program, including advertising, receiving and evaluating bids, and recommending bid award to the City Council. Monitors and directs consultants completing engineering, street, and storm drainage plans and construction. Oversee the City's Right of Way Management System and Permit System under the City's right-of-way ordinances provisions. Duties may include conducting permit reviews, issuance, inspections, and closeouts, as well as implementing policy and establishing procedures to govern all construction activities in the public right-of-way. Oversee record management of official City maps, plats, and engineering records in appropriate electronic and paper filing systems, ensuring that the filing and management of files follow department procedures. May be asked to perform other duties that are not listed but are essential to the job.
Minimum Qualifications / Requirements
Ability to read, write, and understand English with proper spelling and grammar to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to comprehend and evaluate highly complex technical reports and problems. Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with effective results. Ability to protect and maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with the public. Ability to make decisions in the best interest of both the residents and the city. Ability to make rational decisions efficiently during variable and sometimes stressful conditions, including the ability to calmly interact with the public and other City personnel. Ability to understand Federal and State bridge requirements. Ability to learn and understand the City's financial budget software (Munis). Ability to learn and understand the City's project management software. Ability to use and understand the City's Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CAD) software and Geographic Information System (GIS) software Ability to use and understand Bluebeam Revu Proficient in the Federal and State bridge requirements. Proficient in the standard engineering principles, including Traffic Engineering, Stormwater Drainage, and Management. Proficient in construction management. Proficient in project management. Proficient in Autodesk Civil 3D software and ERSI ArcMap Software. Standard office procedures, systems, and practices, including computer use.
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Education, Training, and Certification Requirements
Must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited engineering school; a master's degree with coursework in Engineering and/or Public Administration preferred. Must have at least ten (10) years' experience in engineering design/administration with five (5) years of experience in a supervisory role. Eight (8) years of experience in a municipality preferred. Must hold and maintain a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) from the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions. If registered in another state, must obtain KS registration within six (6) months of promotion or hire. Must have or be able to obtain Erosion Control Certification within six (6) months of promotion or hire. Completion of NIMS requirement within one year of hire or promotion. Must possess a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record per the City's Drivers' Use of Vehicles for City Business policy throughout employment with the City.
Post-Offer Testing / On-Going Standards
Post-Offer On- Going Aptitude Assessment / Skills Testing Background Investigation X Credit Report Review Drug Screening / Breath Alcohol Testing X Medical Evaluation / Essential Functions X Motor Vehicle Records Search X X Polygraph Examination Psychological Evaluation
General Aptitudes and Physical Requirements The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that we identify the general aptitudes and physical requirements needed to perform the position listed above. Individuals in this position must be able to perform all essential functions unaided or with reasonable accommodation.
I. Mental Abilities. General learning ability. The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and underlying principles.
Ability to understand and follow oral instructions Ability to understand and follow written instructions Ability to guide and/or give instructions
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Ability to make decisions in accordance with established procedures and policies Not essential to job function
II. Verbal Abilities. Ability to understand the meanings of words and associated ideas to use them effectively. To comprehend language, understand relationships between words, and understand the meanings of whole sentences and paragraphs. To present information or ideas clearly.
a. Speaking / Talking Answering telephone, radio, or switchboard Communicating with City officials Communicating with the general public Communicating with vendors Communicating with supervisors and/or with other employees Communicating with others in departmental operations Not essential to job function
b. Hearing / Listening For communication with City officials, the public, vendors, supervisors, and/or other employees Not essential to job function
c. Reading (ability to read and understand text) Essential to the job function Not essential to job function
III. Numerical Ability to perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately.
Ability to perform accurate two-digit calculations Ability to perform accurate calculations aided by a calculator, adding machine, or measurement device Not essential to job function
IV. Spatial Abilities The ability to comprehend space forms and understand planar and solid object relationships. It may be used in tasks such as blueprint reading and in solving geometry problems. It is frequently described as the ability to "visualize" objects of two or three dimensions or to think visually of geometric forms.
Essential to the job function Not essential to job function
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V. Motor Coordination Ability to coordinate eyes and hands or fingers rapidly and accurately to make precise movements quickly. Ability to create a movement response accurately and quickly.
a. Manual Dexterity Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully. To work with the hands in placing and turning motions. Use a telephone Use switchboard Use radio/console Use a calculator Use a copy machine Manipulate the computer keyboard and mouse. Use a postage machine. Use hand tools Use power tools Other: Auto CADD, land surveying equipment, drafting equipment, planimeters, plotters Not essential to job function
b. Finger Dexterity Ability to move the fingers and manipulate small objects rapidly or accurately. For example: electrical wiring. Essential to the job function Not essential to job function Explain: __
VI. Physical Demands
a. Strength The quality, state, or property of being strong. The power to withstand strain, force, or stress Ability to manipulate materials and/or equipment (lbs) Frequency 5- 5-10 10-15 15-25 25-50 50+ Occasionall y Frequently Continuousl y Lift X X Push/Pull X X Hold/Carry X X
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b. Climbing To move up or mount by using the hands and/or feet Essential to the job function Not essential to job function
c. Ability to Stand, Sit, Walk, and Run
Duration ( hours/day ) Frequency 0 - 1 1 - 3 3 - 5 5 - 7 7 - 9 9+ Occasionall y Frequentl y Continuously Stand X X Sit X X Walk X X Run
d. Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, and/or Crawling Daily Amounts 0 - 5x 5 - 20x 20 - 50x 50+x Other ___ Not essential to job function
e. Reaching, Handling, Fingering, and/or Feeling Daily Amounts 0 - 5x 5 - 20x 20 - 50x 50+x Other ___ Not essential to job function
f. Seeing To perceive or comprehend by the sense of sight Peripheral vision Night vision Focus (distinctness or clarity) Color perception (discriminate between colors) Depth perception (discriminate the distance relationship between objects)
VII. Driving The ability to transfer or convey in a vehicle
Transmission Standard Automatic Multi- Gears Car Van Small Truck
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Medium Truck Large Truck Truck w/ Equipment Heavy Bus Equipment Not essential to job function Other (list)