Assistant DPW Director/ City Engineer

Position Purpose:

The City Engineer / Assistant Director of Public Works provides leadership, direction, and management of the City's engineering functions, including infrastructure and utilities engineering, transportation systems, construction management, and development review. This role supports the Director of Public Works in overseeing departmental operations and ensuring projects align with municipal priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, relates, or is a logical assignment to the position.

• Oversees all civil engineering operations implemented on an in-house or contractual basis involving planning, scheduling, design, and inspection; provides project management for the construction of municipal public works projects; oversees assigned projects to ensure contractor compliance with plans, specifications, time, and budget parameters for the project.
• Coordinates the preparation of and/or develops engineering plans and specifications, procurement procedures, budgets, project cost estimates, and required advertising for bids; reviews construction bids and makes necessary recommendations based on selection criteria.
• Coordinates and performs land surveying activities with department personnel.
• Assists in the preparation of sanitary sewer, water, storm drainage, and street system maps, databases, and comprehensive plans.
• Assures as-built records of projects and documents necessary changes for the operation and maintenance programs.
• Maintains regular contact with consulting engineers, construction project engineers, government officials, professional and technical groups, and the general public regarding division activities and services; responds to requests for technical information and/or other inquiries relative to engineering policies and procedures; evaluates issues and options regarding municipal public works engineering and makes recommendations as to policies and technical standards.
• Performs daily inspection work, including supervision of certain tasks as they relate to the installation of utilities (water, sewer, and drains) and the construction of roadways for developments being built under the Subdivision Control Law as administered by the Planning Department. Work also includes plan review, construction estimates, inspection, and supervision of testing procedures for workmanship. Maintaining daily flow of progress as well as documentation of information pertinent to controversial matters that become relevant to possible court cases.
• Provides technical support for the operations of the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.
• Acts as the acting Director of DPW as needed.
• Other duties as related and assigned by the Public Works Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field required plus a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of civil engineering and in working with public officials, the general public, contractors and construction contractsor any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Must possess Fundamentals of Engineering certification. Registered Professional Engineer (PE) preferred.

2 years of supervisory experience preferred.

A Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle license required.

Required Skills and Qualities:

• Skilled in the operation of tools and equipment usual to the trade.
• Proficient in the use of computer programs and applications including word, excel, and financial software and the ability to learn other DPW related software.
• Knowledge of statutes, bylaws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to public works design, bidding and construction.
• Knowledge of GIS.
• Knowledge of NPDES and municipal stormwater compliance.
• The ability to meet project timetables and manage expenses.
• The ability to communicate and interact effectively with department heads, vendors, contractors, and regulatory officials.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply City and state and federal laws, regulations, policies and standards related to public works projects.
• The ability to make independent and responsible decisions.
• Strong project management, communication, regulatory knowledge, and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position's essential functions.

Combination of office and field work, including construction site inspections in varying conditions. The position requires frequent periods of supervising or inspecting in non-office environments, including construction projects. The ability to navigate over uneven ground is required. Regular periods spent outside subject to weather conditions while conducting inspections or directing work. Ability to manage multiple projects. Frequent walking, bending, standing, squatting, climbing, reaching, stretching, holding, grasping, and turning objects by hand. Occasional requirement for sustained physical effort. Ability to pick up and carry up to 50-pound loads. Ability to operate hand tools. Some exposure to high noise and vibration levels from equipment occasionally in cramped areas, exposure to various ambient conditions, including hot and humid are cold and wet conditions. Will spend periods at a computer or on the telephone.

Full-time / 35-hour work week, Monday - Friday.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Non-Union

$98,000-$110,000 a year

The City of Amesbury is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Amesbury does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status or membership in the armed services, marital status or any other protected category under federal or state law.

Miscellaneous Information

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to: Christine Caminero, Human Resources Director, City of Amesbury camineroc@ to remain posted until filled.

Job Details
Category
Employment Opportunities
Status
Open

Posted
April 6, 2026
Closing
Open Until Filled