Deputy Director - Department of Public Works & Environmental Services

Overview

The Deputy Director of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPW) plays a key leadership role in the planning, management, budgeting and oversight of the department’s overall operations, with a strong focus on engineering and infrastructure management. This position supports the Director in delivering high-quality, sustainable public works services that meet the needs of the community, while ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and fiscal responsibility.

With an emphasis on engineering, the Deputy Director leads and coordinates the design, construction, and inspection of critical public infrastructure including roads, bridges, non-motorized, water, sewer, wastewater treatment, and traffic systems. This role provides strategic direction and technical oversight to engineering staff and consultants, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to professional standards. The Deputy Director also assists in capital improvement planning, infrastructure systems master planning, evaluating and implementing innovative technologies and practices, and fosters collaboration across other DPW divisions, city departments, and external partners.

Current projects include a combination of in-house designed and consultant designed efforts including: the Wet Weather Resiliency Master Plan, Water System Asset Management Plan, bridge deck replacement project, major street rehabilitation projects, local street rehabilitation projects, CWSRF combined sewer separation project, and a CWSRF Water Resource Recovery Facility project.

This position requires strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, as well as a deep understanding of civil engineering principles, project management, and public sector operations. The Deputy Director serves as a key advisor to the Director, represents the department at the Transportation Commission, City Council meetings, neighborhood meetings, stakeholder meetings, and acts on behalf of the Director when necessary. This position also assists the Director with employee professional development and departmental integration and coordination.

• Competitive salary with annual cost of living increases
• Retirement programs including a hybrid pension (10% employer contribution) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• 1,000 annual employer contribution to post-employment Health Care Savings Plan
• 14 paid holidays
• 25 days of paid time off
• 30 calendar days of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child
• No-premium health coverage (or receive a $200 monthly buy-out if you have coverage from another source), family dental and vision plan premiums fully covered by the city
• Life insurance of 2x annual salary w/optional supplemental coverage, and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to use pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses
• An Employee Assistance Program, offering free counseling and support for employees and families
• Qualify for “Public Service Loan Forgiveness” which forgives eligible student loans for borrowers who work at least ten years in public service
• An ever-changing work environment! In the dynamic work of Public Works, each day presents new and exciting challenges that keep your work fresh, engaging and stimulating

The Department of Public Works is located at 1800

E. State Road in East Lansing. The DPW facility is north of downtown, nestled between wooded lots and farm fields. The office is located near US-127 and I-69, and there is ample surface parking. The facility is also convenient to Granger Meadows Park, the Northern Tier Trail and other walking trails, which staff often frequent on their breaks. Due to the nature of this work, remote work options are available but limited and based on the demands of the Department.

The City of East Lansing is committed to becoming a fully inclusive anti-racist place to live, work, visit and do business. We believe an organization functions at its highest ability when a shared culture that promotes accepting, respecting, and valuing differences that include attributes such as age, income,…