Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
TOWN OF GREAT BARRINGTON
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT
Department: Department of Public Works
Status: Full Time (40+hrs/wk), Exempt, Non-Union
Salary Rate: $123,240 to $134,784 (Grade 15)
POSITION PURPOSE
The Superintendent of Public Works is responsible for the leadership, management, administration, and strategic direction of the town’s Department of Public Works and for the safe, reliable, responsive, and financially sustainable delivery of public works services in alignment with the town’s mission, organizational values, strategic priorities, and commitment to serving the community.
The Superintendent plans, directs, and manages the town’s public works operations, infrastructure, capital program, personnel, equipment, and other assigned assets and services. The position establishes short- and long-range priorities; develops and administers operating and capital budgets; oversees procurement and contract administration; manages the planning and delivery of capital projects; coordinates emergency and seasonal operations; and ensures that public infrastructure and assets are maintained and improved in alignment with community needs, regulatory requirements, available resources, and the town’s strategic and financial priorities.
As a member of the town’s senior management team, the Superintendent translates the town’s mission and organizational priorities into departmental goals, service standards, work plans, and measurable results while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement. The Superintendent works closely with the Town Manager, Finance Team, other departments, boards and commissions, employees, residents, contractors, consultants, and local, regional, state, and federal partners to advance the town’s goals and deliver high-quality municipal services.
SUPERVISION
Works under the administrative direction of the Town Manager, exercising substantial independent judgment and initiative in the leadership, management, and administration of the Department and in carrying out the town’s mission, strategic priorities, policies, and established goals. The Superintendent is accountable for departmental performance and results and regularly communicates with the Town Manager regarding significant operational, personnel, financial, capital, regulatory, contractual, and community matters.
Provides overall leadership, direction, and direct and indirect supervision of the Department of Public Works and its employees. The Superintendent is responsible for the administration, coordination, and performance of the Department’s primary divisions:
The Superintendent also provides leadership, coordination, and administrative oversight for the Parks & Recreation and Vehicle Maintenance programs within the Department and Town.
Establishes appropriate organizational structures, lines of responsibility, delegation of authority, and performance expectations among divisions and programs. Directly supervises division heads, supervisors, and other personnel as assigned and holds supervisory staff accountable for the effective management of employees, resources, budgets, work programs, safety, customer service, and operational performance within their respective areas.
Provides administrative oversight of contractors, consultants, engineers, vendors, and other professional service providers engaged by or assigned to the Department.
Works collaboratively across divisions and programs to ensure that personnel, equipment, facilities, financial resources, and technical expertise are deployed effectively and that departmental operations function as one coordinated organization rather than as separate operating units.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(The functions or duties listed below are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
• Provide executive leadership, direction, and management of the Department, ensuring that its divisions, programs, personnel, and resources are coordinated and aligned with the Town’s mission, strategic priorities, organizational values, policies, and service expectations.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, procedures, work plans, performance standards, and service expectations and establish clear lines of responsibility, communication, and accountability.
• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and evaluate departmental operations and supervisory personnel and promote effective collaboration and sharing of personnel, equipment, expertise, and resources across divisions and programs.
• In collaboration with the Town Manager, provides leadership in recruitment, selection, onboarding, supervision, evaluation, professional development, discipline, and succession planning, consistent with Town policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable law.
• Develop supervisors and employees and foster a professional workplace culture characterized by safety, accountability, teamwork, respect, responsiveness, customer service, continuous improvement, and pride in public service. Administer applicable collective bargaining agreements and works with the Town Manager and appropriate Town staff regarding labor relations, grievances, staffing, and organizational matters.
OPERATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE & ASSET MANAGEMENT
• Direct and coordinate public works operations across all Department divisions and programs, including roads and sidewalks; bridges and culverts; drainage and stormwater systems; buildings and grounds; cemeteries; wastewater infrastructure; parks and recreational facilities; vehicle and equipment maintenance; snow and ice operations; and other assigned municipal infrastructure and services.
• Establish annual, seasonal, and longer-range work programs and ensures staffing, equipment, materials, contractors, and financial resources are appropriately planned and deployed.
• Develop and maintain preventive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance programs and a comprehensive asset-management approach for infrastructure, facilities, grounds, vehicles, equipment, and other assets under the Department’s responsibility.
• Establish systems for identifying and documenting asset condition, maintenance history, useful life, risk, replacement needs, and lifecycle costs and develops maintenance and investment priorities based on condition, public safety, regulatory requirements, service impact, operational risk, available funding, and Town priorities.
• Evaluate staffing, equipment utilization, work practices, service levels, and methods of service delivery and implements improvements that strengthen safety, reliability, responsiveness, efficiency, accountability, and quality.
• Ensure the effective operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and long-range planning of specialized Department functions, including wastewater, municipal facilities, cemeteries, parks and recreational assets, and fleet operations, coordinating appropriate engineering, environmental, regulatory, and other professional services as necessary.
CAPITAL PLANNING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
• Develop, maintain, and annually update a comprehensive multi-year capital improvement program for infrastructure, facilities, wastewater systems, cemeteries, parks and recreational assets, vehicles, equipment, and other assets under the Department’s responsibility.
• Identify existing and anticipated capital needs and develop project priorities, preliminary scopes, schedules, cost estimates, and funding strategies based upon asset condition, public safety, regulatory obligations, service impact, operational risk, lifecycle cost, funding opportunities, and alignment with Town strategic and financial priorities.
• Coordinate departmental capital planning closely with the Town Manager and Finance Team as part of the Town’s annual and long-range financial planning processes.
Direct capital projects from identification of need through planning, engineering and design, permitting, procurement, construction, inspection, closeout, and transition to ongoing operations and maintenance and oversees engineers, architects, environmental professionals, contractors, and other consultants engaged in Department projects.
• Monitor projects for scope, schedule, budget, funding, quality, regulatory compliance, and contractual performance and promptly communicates material changes, risks, or emerging issues to the Town Manager.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, PROCUREMENT & CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
• Develop and administer the Department’s operating and capital budgets in close collaboration with the Town Manager and Finance Team; monitor appropriations, expenditures, revenues, grants, contracts, and available balances and provides timely information regarding financial needs, risks, and anticipated changes.
• Leads departmental procurement planning and preparation in accordance with Massachusetts procurement requirements, Town policies, approved appropriations, and internal controls.
• Develop or oversee scopes of work, specifications, cost estimates, bid and proposal documents, and other procurement materials, coordinating with the Town Manager and Finance Team from the earliest stages of procurement and project planning.
• Serve as the principal departmental administrator for public works contracts and capital projects, recognizing the Town Manager as the Town’s contracting authority and owner representative. Monitor scope, schedule, budget, contractor and consultant performance, deliverables, payment applications, change orders, and contract closeout and keeps the Town Manager and Finance Team informed of project status and matters requiring authorization or action.
• Review departmental invoices, payment requests, proposed contract modifications, and change orders and verifies that expenditures and work are properly authorized, documented, funded, and consistent with contract requirements. Ensure that no additional work, change in scope, or contractual commitment is authorized beyond delegated authority without prior approval of the Town Manager and completion of applicable financial and procurement requirements.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of Massachusetts municipal procurement and public contracting requirements and ensures complete and accurate departmental procurement, contract, project, and financial records.
• Identify and develop appropriate state, federal, regional, and other outside funding opportunities and administers applicable state-aid and infrastructure programs, including Chapter 90, in coordination with the Town Manager and Finance Team.
COMMUNITY, BOARD & INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
• Serve as the Department’s principal staff liaison to the Parks & Recreation Commission, providing professional, operational, administrative, and technical support concerning Town parks, recreational facilities, athletic fields, playgrounds, trails, public grounds, maintenance needs, and capital improvements.
• Work collaboratively with the Parks & Recreation Commission, Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Community Preservation Committee, and other appropriate boards and departments to evaluate needs, establish priorities, plan capital improvements, estimate costs, and implement duly authorized projects and initiatives.
• Ensure parks and recreational assets are incorporated into departmental asset inventories, maintenance programs, condition assessments, work planning, and long-range capital planning.
• Establish a department-wide commitment to professional, timely, respectful, and responsive customer service and effective systems for receiving, tracking, communicating, and resolving resident and business service requests and concerns.
• Represent the Department before the Selectboard, Finance Committee, Parks & Recreation Commission, other Town boards and committees, and regional, state, and federal agencies as requested or appropriate and develop productive working relationships with other departments, municipalities, utilities, contractors, consultants, and governmental and community partners.
• Coordinate appropriate public communication concerning projects, construction impacts, road closures, snow and ice operations, service interruptions, emergencies, and other matters affecting the community and prepare reports, recommendations, presentations, and project updates as appropriate.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SAFETY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
• Direct the Department’s planning and operational response to snow and ice events, flooding, severe weather, infrastructure failures, and other emergencies affecting Town infrastructure or public works services and ensures appropriate staffing, equipment, materials, contractors, communications, and continuity plans are in place.
• Coordinate departmental emergency operations with the Town Manager, Police and Fire Departments, emergency management personnel, utilities, state agencies, contractors, and other partners; participate in the Town’s emergency management and Incident Command structure as assigned; and is available outside normal business hours to respond to significant emergencies and operational needs.
• Ensure departmental operations, facilities, infrastructure, and projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws, permits, environmental requirements, workplace safety standards, and reporting obligations.
• Establishes and maintains departmental safety expectations, procedures, training, documentation, and accountability and promotes a culture in which employee and public safety are fundamental operating priorities.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting public works and incorporates appropriate environmental stewardship, sustainability, resilience, energy efficiency, stormwater management, and lifecycle considerations into departmental planning and decision-making.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Town Manager and maintains the professional knowledge and continuing education necessary to effectively perform the responsibilities of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, public administration, business administration, environmental science, or a related field, and a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in public works, infrastructure management, engineering, construction, facilities management, wastewater operations, or a closely related field, including at least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible professional experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.
Demonstrated experience in:
Thorough working knowledge of Massachusetts municipal procurement and public contracting requirements and demonstrated experience preparing, administering, and documenting competitive procurements and public contracts.
REQUIRED LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) certification appropriate to the responsibilities of the position is required. An otherwise qualified candidate who does not possess the required certification at the time of appointment must obtain it within twelve (12) months of appointment as a condition of continued employment and maintain the certification throughout employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference may be given to candidates possessing one or more of the following:
• Master’s degree in engineering, public administration, business administration, construction or project management, or a related field;
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration;
• Massachusetts municipal public works leadership experience; experience managing multidisciplinary public works operations; significant capital construction or infrastructure project experience; and
• experience with Chapter 90, MassDOT, MassDEP, grants, collective bargaining, GIS, asset-management, work-order, project-management, or municipal financial systems.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Considerable knowledge of municipal public works administration and operations; infrastructure and asset management; capital planning and project management; municipal budgeting and financial administration; procurement and contract administration; personnel management and collective bargaining; construction and maintenance practices; and applicable laws, regulations, permitting, environmental, and safety requirements.
• Ability to lead and manage a large, multidisciplinary municipal department; establish priorities and accountability; develop and manage operating and capital budgets; oversee complex projects and contracts; analyze operational and financial information; anticipate and resolve problems; and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Town Manager, Finance Team, employees, elected and appointed officials, boards and commissions, residents, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, decision-making, project-management, customer-service, written communication, and presentation skills. Proficiency with contemporary office, financial, project-management, work-order, GIS, and asset-management technology and the ability to effectively implement new systems.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Work is performed in both office and field settings, including active construction sites, roadways, wastewater facilities, municipal buildings, parks, cemeteries, and other Town properties. The position will involve exposure to weather, construction activity, equipment, noise, traffic, and other conditions associated with public works operations.
• The Superintendent is required to attend evening meetings and may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, or other hours outside the normal workday in response to weather events, emergencies, construction activities, or operational needs.
• The position requires the ability to access and inspect municipal infrastructure, facilities, construction sites, and other work locations, including locations involving uneven terrain or adverse weather conditions, and to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• The position has access to confidential personnel, collective bargaining, procurement, contractual, legal, and financial information. Errors in judgment may have significant operational, financial, legal, environmental, or public-safety consequences.
(This position’s description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position’s duties change.)
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé to: [email protected].
ABOUT THE TOWN OF GREAT BARRINGTON
The Town of Great Barrington is committed to public service excellence, fiscal responsibility, and supporting the people who serve our community. Guided by our mission and shared commitments, including communication, accountability, reliability, and mutual respect, the Town strives to foster a professional, inclusive, and service-oriented workplace.
Town of Great Barrington is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we appreciate your interest in joining our team.