Director of Public Works

Job Description

Company Description

Butte County, located in California, is known for its natural beauty and diverse geography, with elevations ranging from 90 to 7,800 feet above sea level. The county spans 1,636 square miles and is home to 220,000 residents who primarily live in five incorporated towns or cities. The County Board of Supervisors oversees 23 departments delivering a range of services including public safety, road maintenance, health and human services, and solid waste disposal. Butte County's commitment to enhancing agriculture and providing quality services in both rural and urban environments makes it a unique place to live and work.

Role Description

The Department of Public Works’ $91 million operating budget supports 7 divisions : Administration, Engineering, Fleet Services, Land Development, Road Maintenance, Solid Waste, and Surveying. The County’s approximate 1,300 miles of roadway, including 500 bridges, are maintained by the Department’s Road Maintenance Division. Utilizing the combined expertise of the Engineering, Land Development, and Surveyor Divisions, the Department prioritizes road maintenance, disaster recovery, and public safety. Annually, the Department maintains the County’s fleet, servicing approximately 1,200 pieces of equipment, ranging from small generators to vehicles weighing nearly 17 tons. The Land Development Division, which reports to the County Surveyor, provides oversight of private land development, including the issuance of grading and encroachment permits; the maintenance of drainage plans; and finding solutions to complex floodplain management issues. Lastly, the Solid Waste Division is responsible for operating the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility and administering the Countywide Integrated Waste Management Plan

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees the functional heads responsible for the day-to-day operations of road and bridge maintenance, design and construction engineering, construction management and inspection, land development, fleet services, county surveyor, solid waste management, floodplain administration, County Service Area (CSA) and Permanent Road Division (PRD) management, and department-related fiscal and administrative services.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; establishes, within County policy, appropriate budget, service, and staffing levels.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs assigned staff; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Directs staff in managing all County Public Works Projects using the appropriate delivery method for the project and engaging technical experts as needed.
• Develop, implement, and enforce departmental operating procedures relating to personnel, training, budget, and organization, and coordinate department activities.
• Oversees the development, review, and preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, environmental certification, regulatory permitting, and right-of-way matters for new public works projects.
• May be assigned to other managerial or administrative duties as directed by the Chief Administrative Officer.
• Represents the County and the department in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional and business organizations, employee organizations, and the public.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and County needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of changes.
• Monitors developments in legislation related to departmental objectives, evaluates their impact upon County operations, and recommends and implements policy and procedural improvements.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, resolutions, ordinances, action and informational items, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the County Administrative Officer, including presentations to the Board of Supervisors.
• Responds to complex and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Supports activities of the Emergency Operations Center, which may include helping ensure requests for disaster service workers are fulfilled when calls for assistance arise, serving in the Emergency Operations Center as assigned, and providing other support as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Certifications :

Please submit your resume and cover letter to  HR.RecruitmentExecutive@buttecounty.net  no later than Friday October 31, 2025

If you have additional questions, please contact Human Resources at (530)552.3552.