SR DIRECTOR - PUBLIC WORKS

Nampa, ID

Senior Director of Public Works

Job Description

Hiring Salary Range:

$119,745-$169,500 Annual/DOE

The first review of applications will begin 09/11/2026

Department:

Public Works Admin

Reports to (Role): Chief of Staff

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Job Code:

1100

Pay Grade:

26E

Travel Required:

Some

Position(s)

Supervised:

Several

Revised:

9/3/2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director of Public Works serves as the appointed head of the Public Works Department and provides strategic, operational, and people leadership for the sustainable development, operation, and maintenance of the City of Nampa's public works infrastructure. This role is responsible for directing a large, multi-division department that delivers essential services—including transportation systems, water resources (drinking water, irrigation, and water renewal/wastewater), airport operations, environmental resources-permitting, fleet services, streets, traffic, waste management, and related support functions.

The position places primary emphasis on leadership of people and the department: building a high-performing, collaborative culture; developing and empowering directors and managers; fostering teamwork, accountability, innovation, and customer service; ensuring operational excellence and resilience; and aligning departmental efforts with City goals and regional. The Senior Director supervises key staff including: GIS Manager, Public Works Communication Manager, Executive Assistant, Business Operations Controller, Director of Transportation, and Director of Water Resources.

The selected individual will start as a Deputy Director (est. January 2027) and transition into the Senior Director of Public Works at the retirement of the incumbent (est. May 1, 2027).

Leadership and Organization

• Direct, supervise, and plan all phases of the Public Works Department, including Administration, Transportation, and Water Resources.
  
• Establish organizational units within the department and designate personnel to operate and supervise each unit.
  
• Develop goals and plans to identify and evaluate the City's public works and citizen service needs.
  
• Define appropriate service levels and meet established level-of-service goals for the department.
  
• Establish and oversee work programs designed to meet annual and long-term departmental objectives.
  
• Direct departmental operations and procedures so the City stays current with changing practices in the public works field and the evolving needs of a growing community.
  
• Work closely with Public Works supervisors to promote a positive workplace, maximize teamwork, and support employee performance.
  Budget, Infrastructure, and Policy
  
• Prepare, implement, and review the department's annual operating and capital budgets and maintain related reports and records.
  
• Make budgetary recommendations to the Mayor's Office and City Council.
  
• Provide overall direction for municipal infrastructure and infrastructure improvements.
  
• Identify innovative ways to solve complex technical problems and fund public infrastructure needs.
  
• Implement policies and procedures directed by the city administration and City Council by completing assigned studies, preparing reports and recommendations, developing projects, and presenting budget items.
  Partnerships, Compliance, and Public Service
  
• Maintain open, timely communication with Public Works leadership, the Chief of Staff, the Mayor, and City Council.
  
• Ensure enforcement of City ordinances and policies and applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to services provided within the Public Works Department.
  
• Confer with elected officials, contractors, and others on public works matters as necessary.
  
• Develop and sustain partnerships with LHTAC, COMPASS, the Association of Counties and Highway Districts, and the Association of Idaho Public Works Professionals.
  
• Work closely with state and federal regulatory agencies.
  
• Serve as liaison among the Public Works Department, residents, contractors, business representatives, government agencies, and related professionals to support positive public relations.
  
• Address citizen concerns and complaints and take appropriate action to resolve issues in a timely manner.
  
• Ensure public and operational safety and security at the Nampa Municipal Airport, including coordination with Police and Fire.
  People Management and Professional Development
  
• Plan, supervise, and evaluate the work of departmental personnel, including staff selection, coaching, discipline, conflict resolution, and recognition.
  
• Attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and review professional materials to remain current on principles, practices, and developments in assigned work areas.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or technical school)

Required, Field of Study:

Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering.

Master's Degree Preferred, Field of Study:

Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or Public Administration. Bachelor's degree, from an accredited college or university, in Public Administration

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of Civil engineering, engineering economics, and understanding of municipal government and local politics
  
• Comprehensive knowledge of budgetary principles within the public sector.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Provide steady leadership with a long-range vision for growth, sound judgment, and awareness of the political and community context.
  
• Work directly with the public on complaints and on controversial or sensitive issues; maintain strong public-relations skills and keep confidences.
  
• Review design and construction matters, make sound financial and engineering decisions, and project future infrastructure needs.
  
• Communicate clearly in writing and in person, using technical or plain language as the audience requires; give clear direction to staff; and prepare accurate reports with findings and recommendations.
  
• Follow City policies, procedures, and instructions; use logical and creative thinking to solve problems; and complete a wide range of work accurately under time-sensitive deadlines.
  
• Learn and apply new skills, information, and technology quickly, and perform assigned work with integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in an office setting consisting of sedentary work; sitting most of the time. An employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Finger Dexterity:

Sufficient finger or manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to efficiently operate a variety of general office equipment and/or machinery.

Speech:

Sufficient clarity of speech or other communication ability with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to communicate effectively and convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing:

Sufficient clarity of hearing with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.

Visual Abilities:

Sufficient visual acuity or other power of observation with or without accommodation to enable the employee to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form and perform activities such as viewing a computer screen; extensive reading.

Physical Strength & Personal Mobility:

Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to maneuver and function in and around an office environment.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function, with or without reasonable accommodation, satisfactorily. A reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EEO STATEMENT

The City of Nampa is an equal employment opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

DISCLAIMER

The City has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the City reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the City may deem appropriate.

This position may close prior to the posted closing date or be extended past it.

Position :

110001

Code :

2026167-1

Type :

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Posting Start :

09/04/2026

Posting End :

09/18/2026

HOURLY RANGE:

$57.57-$81.49