Director of Public Works/Airport Operations

Job Description:

Director of Public Works/Airport Operations

Description

Please note: The current salary for this position is under review for market parity and is expected to increase. We are committed to ensuring that the compensation aligns with industry standards and reflects the importance of the role within the County.

The County of Colusa is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader for the position of Director of Public Works/Airport Operations. This key role oversees a wide array of operations, including road and bridge maintenance, engineering, traffic control, and landfill management, while also serving as Floodplain Administrator, Executive Director of the Transportation Commission, Executive Director of Transit Agency, and Director of Airport Operations. 

The Director will provide strategic leadership, manage staff, and work closely with other departments, outside agencies, and elected officials to ensure the smooth operation of essential public services. 

If you're a visionary with strong administrative and engineering expertise, this is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the County's infrastructure and development.

This recruitment is open until filled. It is to your advantage to submit an application as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time following application review on March 20, 2025.

Selection Procedure –The following is a tentative schedule of events that will occur as part of the selection process:

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• Screening for minimum qualifications: March 20, 2025.
• Successful applicants will be notified of the dates for first interviews and executive-level interviews once they have been scheduled.

The selection process steps may change with or without notice. 

What's this Job All About?

The Director of Public Works for the County of Colusa plays a pivotal role in overseeing the planning, management, and coordination of a wide range of public infrastructure and services, including road maintenance, engineering, transportation, and landfill operations. This position requires a strategic leader who will guide diverse teams, collaborate with various government agencies, and ensure that public works projects are completed efficiently and in compliance with regulations. The Director will also manage key responsibilities such as floodplain administration and airport operations, while supporting the County’s long-term goals and responding to the community’s needs. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated professional to drive impactful infrastructure improvements and service delivery in the County.

Embracing the Colusa County Work Culture
At Colusa County, working in Public Works means becoming a vital part of a rural, close-knit community where your contributions make a direct and lasting impact. As the Director of Public Works/Airport Operations, you will be entrusted with shaping the infrastructure that keeps our community connected and thriving. You will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects, from road maintenance to airport operations, all while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation within the department. Your leadership will be key in driving improvements, optimizing resources, and creating efficient systems that serve the needs of residents and visitors alike. Embrace the challenge of working in a rural county where your vision and actions shape the community’s future, and where each accomplishment is a reflection of the collective effort to improve Colusa County’s quality of life.

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members)
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan. 
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Management Leave: 10 days
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (13), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

Join us and be a part of making a real difference in Colusa County, where we always prioritize the well-being of our community and team members.

Supervision & Examples of Duties:

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives general administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 
Public Works Director/ Director of Airport Operations: 
Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 120 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

OR

Nine (9) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 60 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

Additional combinations of education and experience may be considered.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid State of California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

It is expected that the incumbent for the Director position will successfully complete the one-week course and exam to attain a Floodplain Manager Certification, within one year of appointment.

Supplemental Information:

The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.