Director of Public Works

Position Overview

Company Name

Town of Avon

Job Title

Director of Public Works

Description

The Town of Avon is accepting applications for the following position:

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Closing Date: October 5, 2026

Status: Fulltime, 40 Hours/Week | On-Site | Exempt | Non-Union

Salary Range: $139,623 - $174,529 annually

Postition Summary:
The Town of Avon is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Public Works Director to provide high-level managerial work to plan, organize, and direct the activities of the Public Works Department. This role ensures the delivery of cost-effective municipal services across the core divisions of Roadways, Buildings & Grounds, Machinery & Equipment and Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling. Given the scope of these duties, the position demands an exceptional degree of independent judgment and administrative leadership. Ultimately, executive decisions carry critical financial, strategic, and legal impacts for the overarching success of the municipality.

Supervision:
This position receives direction from the Town Manager and supervises assigned full and part-time staff.

Essesntial Functions:
An employee in this position performs any or all the following essential functions. This is not an all-inclusive list of the duties which the employee may be expected to accomplish. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation(s).

Department Leadership & Strategic Planning
-Plans and organizes department activities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
-Establishes operational priorities to ensure efficiency and alignment with municipal goals.
-Coordinates short- and long-range public works strategic planning to identify community needs and opportunities.

Operations & Facility Management
-Oversees and directs road construction, infrastructure maintenance projects, and winter emergency plans for ice and snow removal.
-Supervises comprehensive public works operations, including property and equipment maintenance, street sweeping, seasonal cleanups, and the management of the landfill area and transfer station.
-Oversees the upkeep, structural repair, and routine maintenance of municipal buildings.

Fiscal & Contract Management
-Prepares annual operating and capital budget recommendations for the department and administers the adopted budget.
-Provides long-range financial planning to fund infrastructure and public works improvements.
-Develops technical specifications for purchasing materials, equipment, and contracted services.
-Assists in preparing bond assessments, site inspections, and project cost estimates.
-Negotiates and oversees vendor contracts with private providers for maintenance, improvement projects,
and emergency operations.

Interdepartmental Collaboration & Technical Support
-Coordinates park and recreational facility maintenance and improvement programs in partnership with the Recreation Director.
-Provides technical and field assistance to the Town Engineer for public works design and engineering construction projects.
-Collaborates with the Police Chief and Fire Department to establish road safety and emergency routing protocols during road reconstruction and repair work.
-Partners with corresponding department heads to coordinate the specific repair and maintenance needs of their facilities.
-Participates in interdepartmental technical reviews for proposed subdivisions and commercial development planning.

Personnel Management & Administration
-Assigns operational work through subordinates across the functional areas of the department.
-Conducts recruitment interviews and departmental onboarding, training, and professional development programs for department employees.
-Administers personnel regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

Communication & Governance Support
-Prepares comprehensive narrative and statistical reports for the Town Manager and the Town Council upon request.
-Provides expert technical assistance and advisory support to town boards and commissions.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration or related field and at least ten years of experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides for an advanced level of knowledge and skills below. The position requires a valid Driver’s License.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:
The physical demands described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these
functions, provided they do not create a direct threat to the health or safety of the employee or others.
This position regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, talking, hearing, reaching, handling objects, and
operating office equipment. The employee may occasionally walk on uneven terrain, climb stairs or ladders, crouch, stoop, operate a vehicle, and lift or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Close vision and the ability to adjust focus
are required.
Work is performed in both office and outdoor settings. The employee may occasionally be exposed to adverse weather, heat, cold, wet or humid conditions, dust, odors, noise, vibration, electrical hazards, hazardous substances, smoke, and heavy machinery.

Compensation & Benefits
This is a full-time, non-union, exempt position with an annual salary range of $139,623 to $174,529. 

This position starts at $139,623.

The Town of Avon offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid vacation, sick, holiday, and personal leave; Town-paid life and disability insurance; and participation in the Town’s 401(a) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 8.25%.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing all required pre-employment screening, including drug and alcohol testing.

To Apply

Download an employment application at www.avonct.gov

Completed applications may be emailed to: HR@avonct.gov or mailed to:

Town of Avon – Human Resources
60 West Main Street, Building #5
Avon, CT 06001

Salary Range

$139623.00 -$174529.00

Job City

Avon

Job State

CT

Job Country

Website

https://www.avonct.gov/departments/human_resources/employment_opportunities/index.php 

Qualifications

Min. Education

Bachelors Degree

Min. Years of Experience

10

Required/Preferred Skills

Operations and Engineering, Compliance and Safety, Leadership and Management, Communication and Public Relations,

How to Apply

Contact Name

Allegra, John

Contact Address

60 West Main Street Avon CT 06001 United States

Contact Phone

(860) 409-4300

Email

HR@avonct.gov 

Best Method of Contact

EMAIL