Director of Public Works

About the Position

The Director of Public Works provides strategic and operational leadership for Sanitation, Street and Water Utility Maintenance, Facilities and Grounds Maintenance, and Forestry. This position oversees the upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning of City streets, parks, land, and buildings. It ensures safe, reliable, and cost-effective service delivery, promotes innovation and continuous improvement, and data-driven asset management.

The Director of Public Works leads cross-training and rapid redeployment so staff can adapt quickly to changing priorities. This position operates under broad policy guidance from the City Manager and collaborates closely with Engineering, Finance, HR/ Risk, Fire/EMS, Police, IT, and Communications and Engagement to meet community expectations.

View the full list of job responsibilities by viewing the Position Description and Position Profile:

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Essential Duties

  • Provide leadership and direction for all Public Works divisions. Oversee day-to-day operations. Establish performance expectations and service level standards, allocate resources, and implement operational plans aligned with the City’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities. Identify risks affecting service delivery and develop mitigation strategies. Monitor operational performance, efficiency, and staffing needs, and make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes.

  • Direct solid‑waste, recycling, yard/leaf/brush, bulky item, and special collection. Optimize routing, cart management, and diversion goals. Oversee street maintenance, snow and ice control, sweeping, and right‑of‑way operations consistent with WisDOT standards. Coordinate with Engineering and Utilities on water/sewer maintenance, condition assessment, and emergency repair. Ensure compliance with applicableWI DNR standards and City codes.

  • Direct solid‑waste, recycling, yard/leaf/brush, bulky item, and special collection. Optimize routing, cart management, and diversion goals. Oversee street maintenance, snow and ice control, sweeping, and right‑of‑way operations consistent with WisDOT standards. Coordinate with Engineering and Utilities on water/sewer maintenance, condition assessment, and emergency repair; ensure compliance with applicable WI DNR standards and City codes.

  • Respond to resident/business inquiries, resolve complaints, and recommend corrective actions. Communicate planned work, detours, outages, and storm responses. Coordinate cross-departmentally on development reviews, events, and emergency incidents. Brief elected officials and represent the department with regional partners.

  • Maintain a safe work environment through training, tailgate talks, SOPs, and audits. Ensure OSHA, DOT/CDL, confined space, trenching, lockout/ tagout, fall protection, and hazard communication compliance. Lead incident reviews and corrective actions, maintain readiness consistent with NIMS/ICS and City emergency plans.

A Thriving Community

The City of Oshkosh is an award-winning community in the heart of Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley, located about 90 miles north of Milwaukee and 50 miles south of Green Bay. With a population of more than 66,000, Oshkosh is the largest municipality in Winnebago County and the ninth largest city in the state. Oshkosh offers the friendliness of a small town with the amenities of a larger city, including an excellent school system, quality health care, abundant recreation, and a low cost of living.

Situated on the western shore of Lake Winnebago and bordered by the Fox River and Lake Butte des Morts, Oshkosh is known for its waterfront lifestyle and year-round outdoor activities. The city has earned national recognition, including Money Magazine’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live” and Business Week’s “Best Places to Raise Your Kids.”

Education opportunities are robust, with a highly rated public school district, several private schools, Fox Valley Technical College, and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh—Wisconsin’s third-largest university with approximately 13,000 students. Health care is provided by Ascension NE Wisconsin, Aurora Medical Center, and a new Froedtert ThedaCare Health campus under construction.

Residents enjoy more than 400 acres of parks, marinas, the Fox River Riverwalk, Menominee Park Zoo, and a variety of cultural attractions, including the Paine Art Center and Gardens, Grand Opera House, and EAA Aviation Museum. Annual events, such as the Oshkosh Farmers Market, complement year-round recreation. The city is also home to the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA G League team.

Learn more at oshkoshwi.gov.

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The Ideal Candidate

The City of Oskhosh seeks a skilled public works leader with strong operational knowledge across streets, sanitation, utilities, facilities, and forestry. The Director of Public Works will use data and performance tools to make informed decisions, improve efficiency, and maintain safe, reliable service. An ideal candidate will excel in fast-changing conditions, directing cross-trained crews and responding effectively to storms, emergencies, and daily operational demands. With a continuous-improvement mindset, they will apply practical Lean methods to strengthen consistency and outcomes. A clear communicator and collaborator, the Director of Public Works will work well with staff, City leadership, elected officials, and the community. They develop teams, uphold accountability, and foster a culture focused on safety, quality, and customer service. Above all, they will be dedicated to delivering dependable, cost-effective public works services that support the City of Oshkosh’s goals.

Expected Salary Range: $130,000 to $150,000 (DOQ)

Excellent benefits package includes:

  • Exceptional insurance, benefits, and time-off program.

  • Near-site clinic for employees enrolled in the City insurance plan.

  • Enrollment in Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Pension.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.

  • Ten (10) years of progressively responsible public works, utilities, facilities, or field operations experience, including five (5) years supervising managers/supervisors.

  • Experience leading multi‑division operations (solid waste, streets/snow, utilities maintenance, facilities/parks/grounds, forestry) in a municipal environment preferred.

  • Demonstrated Lean/continuous improvement leadership, APWA leadership credentials, and ICS100/200/700 are preferred.

  • Valid driver’s license.

View the full list of job responsibilities by viewing the Position Description and Position Profile:

Apply now!

Innovative Public Advisors (IPA) is conducting the executive recruitment process for this position.

Applications are now being accepted until filled with first review no later than December 19, 2025.

Please upload (right) or send cover letter, resume, salary history, and professional references to Jay Shambeau at jay@public-advisors.com. Please direct questions to 262-355-6102.

Thank you for your interest!