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Public Works Director Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Assistant City Engineer

Elkhart, IN · On-site

$103K - $114K/yr

CITY OF ELKHART - DEPARTMENT Public Works POSITION Assistant City Engineer/ City Engineer DIVISION Engineering STATUS Full-time CATEGORY Salaried, Up to $114,000 FLSA Exempt REPORTS TO Director of ...

CITY OF ELKHART - DEPARTMENT Public Works POSITION Assistant City Engineer/ City Engineer DIVISION Engineering STATUS Full-time CATEGORY Salaried, Up to $114,000 FLSA Exempt REPORTS TO Director of ...

... to Public Works Standards. Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 ... Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may provide direct supervision for one or ...

... to Public Works Standards. Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 ... Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may provide direct supervision for one or ...

Conduct outreach to municipalities, contractors, engineering firms, and public works contacts to ... and direct communication * Assist with distributing product information, drawings, samples, and ...

This role pitches interviews, feature stories, editorials, and other written works on behalf of ... They are proactive, take initiative without waiting to be directed, anticipate client and team ...

Senior Engineer

South Bend, IN · On-site

$83K - $88K/yr

... works under the general supervision of the Director of Engineering Services and performs complex engineering work related to water, stormwater, wastewater infrastructure and associated public ...

Direct contact from agencies to other employees is not permitted. Frontier-Kemper , a Tutor Perini ... Gateway Development Commission; public works authorities in New York, Los Angeles, and Vancouver;

Showing results 21-40

Public Works Director information

See Indiana salary details

$45.7K

$128.6K

$194.6K

How much do public works director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for public works director in Indiana is $128,562.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,300.00 and $154,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a public works director do?

A Public Works Director oversees the planning, organization, and management of a city's public infrastructure and services. This includes responsibilities such as maintaining roads, water and sewer systems, public buildings, and sanitation services. The director leads teams, manages budgets, ensures compliance with regulations, and coordinates projects that impact the community's safety and quality of life. They also work with other government officials and the public to address infrastructure needs and concerns.

What does a public works director do?

Public works directors are city government employees. As a public works director, you report to the city manager and collaborate with other high-level city officials to carry out your duties. Your main responsibilities are to manage several departments in the city government and to develop long-term community improvement plans. Some of your tasks are managerial, such as hiring, evaluating, and firing public works employees. Others are administrative, like overseeing public works projects, budgets, and outcomes. You present development plan proposals to city management and assist the city manager.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public works director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Works Director, you need a strong background in civil engineering, public administration, and project management, often supported by a relevant degree and significant supervisory experience. Familiarity with budgeting software, asset management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills distinguish top candidates in this role. These competencies ensure the efficient delivery and maintenance of public infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and effective team management.

What are some common challenges faced by a public works director when managing multiple infrastructure projects simultaneously?

A Public Works Director often oversees several infrastructure projects at once, which requires careful prioritization, resource allocation, and team coordination. Common challenges include balancing limited budgets, addressing unforeseen issues such as inclement weather or supply chain delays, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Effective communication with city officials, contractors, and the public is also critical to keep projects on track and maintain transparency. Strong organizational skills and adaptability are essential to successfully manage these competing demands.

What is the difference between Public Works Director vs City Engineer?

AspectPublic Works DirectorCity Engineer
CredentialsOften requires civil engineering degree, PE license, and management experienceTypically requires civil engineering degree and PE license
Work EnvironmentOversees public infrastructure projects, maintenance, and operationsFocuses on designing, planning, and supervising engineering projects
Employer & IndustryMunicipal government, public sectorMunicipal government, public sector

The Public Works Director and City Engineer roles often overlap in credentials and work environment, but the Public Works Director has broader management responsibilities overseeing all public infrastructure and services, while the City Engineer primarily focuses on engineering design and project planning within the city.

Do you need a degree to be a public works director?

A degree is often preferred for a public works director position, typically in fields like civil engineering, public administration, or related areas. Relevant experience, certifications, and knowledge of public infrastructure and management are also important qualifications for the role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Works jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Public Works jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Public Works Director jobs in Indiana?

For Public Works Director jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Public Works Director jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Public Works Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Public Works Director job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 59% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $128,562 per year, or $61.8 per hour.

Assistant City Engineer

The City of Elkhart

Elkhart, IN • On-site

$103K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


City Of Elkhart (Indiana) rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

CITY OF ELKHART – JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT
Public Works
POSITION
Assistant City Engineer/ City Engineer
DIVISION
Engineering
STATUS
Full-time
CATEGORY
Salaried, Up to $114,000
FLSA
Exempt
REPORTS TO
Director of Public Works
DATE
2026
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for overseeing, directing, and coordinating the work of the Engineering Team within the Department of Public Works Utilities, which includes: Records and GIS Manager, Engineering Project Managers Asset Manager, Engineering Technicians, GIS Technicians, and Televising Technician.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Depending on qualifications and Mayoral appointment, may serve as either “City Engineer” or “Assistant City Engineer”.
  • Provides positive leadership and organizational directives that result in efficient services performed by colleagues, and superior services provided to internal and external customers.
  • Supervises and manages assigned staff, including analyzing staff workload, reviewing position documentation, interviewing candidates, making hiring decisions, planning, delegating, and controlling work assignments, establishing specific work goals, training/developing/motivating assigned staff, determining significant changes in responsibilities, evaluating performance, reviewing salaries, recommending personnel actions, maintaining discipline and recommending corrective action, and communicating and administering personnel programs.
  • Oversees, directs, and coordinates the following tasks of the Engineering team:
    • Manages all aspects of the conception, design, engineering, permitting, and construction of a wide-range of public works projects, including streets, sidewalks, drainage, stormwater quality, water utility, and wastewater utility.
    • Assists in the selection of qualified design and engineering consultants.
    • Manages and coordinates the bidding and other procurement processes according to state and local regulations for public works projects.
    • Leads the Engineering team review of development plan applications, including commercial sites, industrial sites, and residential subdivisions.
  • Collaborate with the Elkhart Board of Public Works, and on occasion other boards and commissions, to direct the functions necessary to efficiently and creatively provide internal customers and the citizenry with clean water, effective wastewater management, efficient transportation systems and right-of-way management.
  • Oversees and, if appointed as City Engineer, gives final approval to all in-house engineering work complete by the Engineering Team.
  • Assists in the development and implementation of infrastructure plans, including master planning and multi-year capital improvement programming.
  • Serves on various boards, commissions, and specified committees as required. Periodically prepares and presents presentations to public groups.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
The incumbent will have attained the following levels of education and experience:
  • Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
  • Four (4) or more years of progressively responsible engineering experience, preferably in a municipal or public works environment.
  • Experience in project management, infrastructure design, or construction oversight preferred.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Indiana required (or ability to obtain within one year).
  • An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • Knowledge of municipal engineering principles, including transportation, stormwater, water, and wastewater systems.
  • Understanding of applicable federal and state regulations, including environmental and permitting requirements.
  • Ability to review technical plans and ensure compliance with engineering standards.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff, elected officials, and the public.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
  • Working knowledge of budgeting, procurement, and project administration in a public sector environment.
  • Ability to use technology and data to support decision-making and operational efficiency.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND VISUAL SKILLS
  • Ability to logically think and reason.
  • Ability to read, write, interpret, and verbally give or demonstrate work instructions.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in a 40 plus hours per week standard office environment. Frequent trips to off-site office locations may be necessary, often in inclement weather. Night meetings are frequent, and therefore the length of the workday and work week may substantially exceed 8 hours and 40 hours, respectively.
POST OFFER TESTING REQUIREMENTS
  • The City of Elkhart is a Drug-Free Workplace; successful completion of a post-offer drug screen is required. Random drug testing may be conducted after employment.
  • Background checks must produce acceptable BMV and criminal history reports.
POLICY STATEMENT
  • The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
  • This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and “other” duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
  • This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

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