Description

• The Public Works Director oversees the maintenance and operation of all utilities, roadways, and municipal property for the City of Palos Heights, including planning, directing, and coordinating the maintenance, repair, and operation of municipal infrastructure. This includes roads and public right of way, public water system, sanitary collection system, stormwater, forestry, park grounds, bike paths, municipal buildings, Lake Katherine grounds, and the City’s vehicle fleet. The Director supervises approximately 20+ staff members including water operators, mechanics, maintenance workers, seasonal workers and administrative personnel, and serves as the designated staff advisor to the Roads and Construction Committee, Water and Sewer Committee, and Municipal Grounds and Property Committee.
• Interested candidates shall submit both a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Cover letters shall be addressed to the City of Palos Heights, attn. Adam Jasinski P.E., 7607 W. College Drive, Palos Heights, IL 60463. To be considered for the first review, interested applicants must submit their resume by Sunday, October 12, 2025. 

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Roads & Street Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance, repair, resurfacing, patching, signage, striping, snow removal, pothole repair, and related operations.
• Manage pavement condition assessments and schedule preventive maintenance.

Water System Maintenance & Operations

• Ensure reliable delivery of potable water, manage water treatment, storage, distribution, and leak detection.
• As a Lead Operator in Charge, maintain regulatory compliance with state and federal water quality standards.
  Oversee water operations and maintenance of pumps stations, system valves, meters, hydrants, etc.

Sanitary Sewer System

• Oversee sanitary sewer maintenance, lift stations, cleaning and televising programs, and capital replacement programs.
• Manage compliance with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Stormwater System

• Direct the maintenance of storm sewers, catch basins, retention/detention basins, stormwater outfalls.
• Ensure compliance with MS4 or analogous stormwater regulations.
  Oversee stormwater mitigation, flood control, and drainage investigations.

Forestry

• Oversee tree planting, pruning, removal, disease/pest control, and emergency tree work.
• Develop and maintain a tree inventory, enforce pruning and safety standards.

Parks, Recreation, Bike Paths, Lake Katherine Grounds

• Oversee maintenance and operations of City parks, recreational facilities, trails, bike paths, and Lake Katherine grounds, including landscape, groundskeeping, amenities, safety, and public access.
• Collaborate with recreation or programming staff (if applicable) to ensure grounds support public use and events.

Municipal Buildings & Facilities

• Oversee maintenance, cleaning, repair, safety, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, security, and custodial services of municipal buildings and facilities.

Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance

• Direct the maintenance and repair of City-owned vehicles, trucks, heavy equipment, and machinery.
• Supervise mechanics and oversee preventative maintenance programs, inspections, and vehicle replacement schedules.

Staff Management

• Supervise a team of approx. 20 union and non-union water operators, mechanics, maintenance workers, and administrative staff.
• Hire, train, mentor, evaluate performance, discipline, and manage workload and scheduling.
• Ensure staff safety, provide resources, enforce safety protocols and training.

Budgeting, Planning & Capital Projects

• Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets for public works, utilities, parks, and vehicle fleet.
• Develop and oversee capital improvement plans (CIP), project scoping, design, procurement, and construction.
  Prepare cost estimates, engineering plans or supervise consultants, review bids, manage contractors.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (water, sewer, stormwater, environmental, safety, forestry).
• Prepare and submit required reports, permits, certifications (e.g., lead and copper surveys, consumer confidence reports, MS4, sanitary sewer permits).

Committee & Council Support

• Serve as the designated staff advisor to the Roads and Construction Committee, Water and Sewer Committee, and Municipal Grounds and Property Committee.
• Prepare reports, updates, and recommendations for committees and City Council.

Customer & Public Relations

• Respond to public inquiries, complaints, emergencies.
• Coordinate with elected officials, residents, neighboring jurisdictions, and state/federal agencies.
  Present at committee meetings or public forums, provide updates on public works matters.

Emergency Response & Special Projects

• Lead or coordinate responses to emergencies: water main breaks, sewer overflows, storm flooding, snow/ice events.
• Oversee disaster or weather event recovery, coordinate with other agencies as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned
 

 
Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in Public Works or Public Utilities. At least 5 years in a managerial or supervisory role with responsibility for personnel, operations, and budgets.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. Alternatively, a candidate with a strong record of career advancement over the past 10 years, taking on increasing responsibilities, may be considered in lieu of formal degree.
Licenses / Certifications: Must have (or be able to obtain within six (6) months of hire) a Class C Water Operator License. Valid driver’s license.
 
Preferred / Desirable Qualifications

Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or equivalent credentials.
Experience managing forestry or urban forestry programs.
Experience with parks & recreation operations, grounds maintenance.
Familiarity with grant writing & securing funding for infrastructure (state/federal).
Strong knowledge of GIS mapping systems, asset management software.
Experience in environmental compliance: MS4, water/wastewater regulations, IEPA Reporting.
Knowledge of budgeting, purchasing, contract management, and bid processes.
Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal skills and ability to work with public, boards, contractors.
Valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License
ISA Certified Arborist designation
 
Work Schedule & Conditions

Typical Work Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Must be available for after-hours and emergency response as needed.
Mixture of office and field work; frequent visits to worksites (roads, water pumping facilities, parks, Lake Katherine grounds) under varying weather conditions.
Ability to lift or move moderate weights (tools, equipment), walk, climb, stand; must be able to operate or inspect heavy equipment and machinery.
Must observe and enforce safety practices.