Public Works Director

Salary: $109,241.60 - $152,942.40 Annually
Location : City of Kingman, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2963
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works Administration
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: 5/7/2026 5:00 PM Arizona
Budgeted Min: $52.52
Budgeted Max: $63.03
Additional Information: This position is posted with the full salary range indicating future potential earnings; however, the actual hiring salary for this position is dependent upon relevant experience and qualifications above minimum requirements and position funding. Therefore, all starting salaries above the midpoint require further review and additional approval.

About The Role
CITY OF KINGMAN

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

PUBLIC WORKS
MUST PROVIDE RESUME AND COVER LETTER
Learn more about our Benefits & Wellness Incentives
Relocation assistance and other allowances are readily available to support your seamless transition into this pivotal role.
We're looking for a Public Works Director who will provide strategic oversight, policy direction, and fiscal stewardship, while ensuring excellence in service delivery, infrastructure resilience, and compliance with applicable regulatory standards. As a key member of the City's executive leadership team, the Public Works Director leads, innovates, and manages a diverse portfolio of essential city services, including engineering, streets, water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste, traffic control, fleet and facility maintenance, public transit, and airport operations.

This appointed position serves at the discretion of the City Manager and supports the City of Kingman's commitment to operational transparency, organizational accountability, and long-term sustainability.
What You'll Need To Be Successful In This Role
Knowledge of:

• Public works administration, transportation systems, and utility infrastructure.
• Civil and environmental engineering principles, construction practices, and sustainability frameworks.
• Municipal budgeting, CIP development, grant compliance, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Local, state, and federal regulations governing public infrastructure, transit, and aviation.

Skills in:

• Executive leadership, strategic planning, and interdepartmental collaboration.
• Conflict resolution, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement.
• Data-driven decision-making, project management, and performance evaluation.
• Modern asset management systems, GIS, and digital service platforms.

Ability to:

• Inspire and lead a large, multidisciplinary team.
• Oversee the development and execution of long-range infrastructure plans.
• Engage effectively with elected officials, community members, and regional partners.
• Maintain transparency, accountability, and excellence in public service delivery.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Construction Management, or a closely related field
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible public works or infrastructure leadership experience
• Five (5) years at the executive or senior management level
• Master's degree in a related field or Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred but not required
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Arizona preferred but not required
• Valid Arizona driver's license or ability to obtain one within thirty (30) days of employment

Desired Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a high-performing workforce, including experience in organizational design, employee relations, and performance management
• Working knowledge of human resources principles, including employment practices, coaching and accountability, workplace investigations, and policy application
• Ability to partner effectively with Human Resources to support workforce planning, succession development, and organizational change initiatives

What You'll Do For The City Of Kingman
Strategic Leadership & Management (35%) - Directs the operations, planning, budgeting, and personnel across all divisions of the Public Works Department. Provides strategic vision and execution of multi-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) and infrastructure investments. Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and performance metrics aligned with citywide goals. Promotes a culture of safety, innovation, equity, and continuous improvement.

Infrastructure & Service Oversight (25%) - Leads and coordinates public transit planning and operations, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and community needs. Manages airport planning and operations in coordination with FAA regulations and economic development initiatives. Ensures engineering design standards and infrastructure planning are current, efficient, and sustainable.

Interdepartmental & Public Engagement (25%) - Collaborates with the Engineering and Development Services Departments on reviews related to new development and public infrastructure expansion. Communicates regularly with the City Council, boards, commissions, community groups, and residents regarding infrastructure plans and service delivery.

Fiscal and Risk Management (15%) - Prepares and manages department operating and capital budgets; monitors expenditures and ensures financial accountability. Identifies and mitigates operational risks; ensures regulatory compliance with OSHA, EPA, ADEQ, ADOT, FAA, and other authorities. Promotes grant funding opportunities and public-private partnerships to support departmental goals.

Miscellaneous
OVERVIEW

The City of Kingman is located in Mohave County approximately 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas and 195 miles northwest of Phoenix nestled between the beautiful Cerbat and Hualapai Mountain Ranges along historic Route 66. In 2019, Reader's Digest named Kingman one of the "Nicest Places in Arizona" for its thoughtful residents and spirit of generosity. In addition to its small-town look and feel, the area also offers a wide range of recreational activities that include hiking, bike and ATV trails, camping, golf, beautiful parks, historical attractions, nearby lakes, and the Colorado River. With more than 400 full and part-time employees across 30 divisions, the City of Kingman provides exceptional public services to over 30,000 residents. Our focus on high-quality customer service, safety, and teamwork underpins our efforts to foster an atmosphere where citizens and businesses can thrive.
For more information about the City of Kingman, please see our Open Finance Portal, Choose Kingman Economic Development page, and our Go Kingman tourism page for more information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The work environment characteristics attached to the job description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. See Physical Demands.
COMMITMENT TO SAFETY & WELLNESS

It is the policy of the City of Kingman to ensure a safe, healthful workplace for all its employees. It requires that every person in the organization assumes the responsibility of individual and organizational safety. Injury and illness losses from incidents are costly and preventable. The City of Kingman will employ an effective accident and illness prevention program and a comprehensive wellness program that involves all its employees in the effort to eliminate workplace hazards and promote employee health and wellness.
Management is accountable for preventing workplace incidents, injuries and illnesses. Management will provide top-level support of safety program and wellness initiatives. Management will consider all employee suggestions for achieving a safer, healthier workplace. Management also will keep informed about workplace safety and health hazards, and it will regularly review the company safety and wellness program.

DISCLAIMER
This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and duties but is subject to change based on organizational needs and evolving municipal priorities.
FIND YOUR REWARDING CAREER WITH US!

Personal Growth Opportunities ~ Meaningful and Challenging Work ~ Public Service
Community Spirit ~ Training and Development
FIND YOUR REWARDING CAREER WITH US!
Personal Growth Opportunities ~ Meaningful and Challenging Work ~ Public Service
Community Spirit ~ Training and Development

The City of Kingman is a 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Gallagher Best-in-Class employer. This award recognizes our commitment to supporting better employee wellbeing and building a resilient organizational culture.

At the City of Kingman, we strive to provide a world-class work environment where employee well-being is a valued priority. Our benefits are thoughtfully designed to be competitive and affordable, allowing each person to take care of themselves and their loved ones. We also work hard to ensure that our employees are appropriately compensated and appreciated, while providing opportunities for professional development and career mobility.

Health

• Excellent medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Telemedicine available at $0 cost-sharing through AZ Blue Telehealth for general medical and behavioral health.
• Flexible spending (FSA) or health savings accounts (HSA)
  • The City of Kingman offers a maximum allocation of $34.37 per pay period for individual coverage and up to $68.75 per pay period for family coverage towards the employee's Health Savings Account (HSA). Over the span of 24 pay periods, this totals a maximum of $825 for individual coverage and up to $1,650 for family coverage. Contributions are typically available approximately 5-7 business days after each pay date.
• Employer-paid group basic life insurance coverage for employee and dependents on medical plan
  • Supplemental group insurance and third-party options available
• Personify Health, our comprehensive well-being platform designed to push you towards good health in mind, body and spirit
  • Participation incentives with up to $300 redeemable annually
• Work/Life support services through SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Six free counseling sessions annually.
• The Northwest Arizona Employee Benefit Trust ("NAEBT"), to which the City of Kingman is a member, posts it meeting Notices, Agendas and Minutes on the NAEBT website, which can be found at

Leave

• , including a floating birthday holiday each year.
• 16-35 paid vacation days per year
  • 6.15 hrs. 1-5 years; 7.69 hrs. 5-10 yrs.; 9.23 hrs. 10-15 yrs.; 10.77 hrs. 15+ yrs.
  • Shift fire personnel accrue leave at 1/3 more per pay period.

• 3.69 sick hours per pay period (approx. 9-12 sick days per year)
  • Shift fire personnel accrue leave at 1/3 more per pay period.
  • Part-time/seasonal employees earn 1 hours of sick time for every 30 hours worked.
• Other leave types available, including bereavement, military training, and jury duty.
• Leave donation program

Financial

• Tuition reimbursement up to $4,500 annually
• Shift differential pay (2nd & 3rd shift)
• Bonus Programs
• Skill-based, Certification & Bilingual Pay
• Clothing Allowance for Uniformed Personnel

Recognition & Appreciation

• Service Awards at 5 ($500), 10 ($1000), 15 ($1500), 20 ($2000)+ years of service
• Mission, Vision, Values (MVV) Excellence Awards
• Safety Awards
• Biannual All-Employee BBQ Lunch
• Annual Employee Pool Party

Retirement

• City matching to AZ State Retirement System & Long Term Disability (ASRS)
• Additional retirement solutions available through optional third-party on pre-tax basis, including 457-deferred compensation and Roth IRA.