CITY ENGINEER

As a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, the City Engineer is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor; the appointment of the City Engineer requires confirmation by the Common Council.

What Milwaukee can offer YOU…

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.  

The Appointment

The City Engineer is responsible for managing and directing all activities of the Infrastructure Services Division within the Department of Public Works (DPW).  The City Engineer is a part of the DPW leadership team and reports to the Mayor, with daily reporting responsibility to the Commissioner of Public Works.  

The Division

The Infrastructure Services Division is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of all sidewalks, streets, alleys, bridges, public way lighting, traffic control signs and signals, sewers, and underground conduit systems.  The Infrastructure Services Division is the largest of four divisions within the DPW, with a workforce that expands to more than 1,000 employees during the construction and repair season. The Division is comprised of four Decision Units including:

• Administration and Central Services Decision Unit – Clerical, Accounting, Budget, Central Drafting & Records.
• Transportation Infrastructure Decision Unit – Major Projects, Design & Field Engineering, Street Maintenance, Construction.
• Transportation Operations Decision Unit – Multi-modal Planning, Traffic Engineering, Street Lighting & Underground Conduit, Electrical Services.
• Bridges and Buildings Decision Unit – Structural Planning & Design, Bridge Operations & Maintenance, Buildings Operations & Maintenance, Building Construction & Design, Architectural Planning & Design.  

The Community Impact

As the Infrastructure Services Division has a broad influence upon the quality of life in the City of Milwaukee. The City Engineer must balance the technical aspects of the City’s long-term infrastructure while collaborating with the community to meet the needs for safety, accessibility, mobility/travel options and connectivity.  

 For more information about the DPW, please visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/dpw. For budget information, including mission, strategic issues, initiatives, objectives, and outcomes for 2020, visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/User/crystali/Budget-Books/2020BudgetSummary.pdf

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the Infrastructure Services Division in annual organizational, strategic planning and budgeting efforts that are in alignment with City and departmental policies.  Monitor progress in accomplishing strategic goals.
• Provide leadership to the section managers and partner with the Budget office and DPW budget staff to ensure a cooperative, collaborative and timely development and submittal of the division’s budget.
• Lead efforts to assess service needs related to the City’s infrastructure; develop and maintain processes to best deliver related services.   
• Provide input, direction and policy guidance on matters pertaining to the City’s public infrastructure.   Accountability
• Evaluate and ensure efficient and equitable implementation and administration of the services that the Division provides, such as street improvements and street maintenance.  
• Ensure complaints and concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
• Establish and enforce accountability mechanisms for the Infrastructure Services Division; including mechanisms that allow for input from groups who that may be historically underrepresented.   

Management of Leadership Team

• Manage and direct the planning, design, construction, mapping and administration responsibilities of the five Infrastructure Services Division’s sections - Administration and Central Services, Environmental, Bridges and Buildings, Transportation Infrastructure, and Transportation Operations.
• Direct staff in all matters, including those involving personnel, budgeting, and public relations.
• Coach, support, and assess managers to help them achieve organizational and professional improvement goals.
• Champion a diverse and inclusive work culture and regularly monitor the organization for opportunities to provide an environment of clarity and trust.
• Identify and implement measures of accountability, innovation, efficiency and success.
• Create and promote leadership development and succession planning opportunities.     

Community Engagement and Collaboration

• Communicate regularly and responsively with managers, staff, elected officials, and other stakeholders, including community groups, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
• Ensure inclusive collaboration with community stakeholders when advancing initiatives.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Infrastructure Services Division or identify other subject matter experts, based upon the topic.
• Serve as the City’s representative on various committees at the federal, state, regional, and local level on matters pertaining to transportation, environmental and other related public right-of-way issues.    

Customer Service

• Uphold the department’s commitment to providing the greatest positive impact on daily life in Milwaukee.
• Cultivate an environment of trust that facilitates outstanding customer service, including providing clear and timely communication with residents, elected officials and community representatives.

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Must respond to after-hours emergencies in all types of weather.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
2. Five years of management-level experience in engineering, building construction, and/or a closely related field. Management experience must include strategic planning, development of programming and budgets, supervision of staff and the creation and implementation of policies and procedures.
3. Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin at time of appointment and throughout employment.
4. Valid driver's license at time of appointment and throughout employment*. (*Automobile allowance is provided.)  

IMPORTANT NOTE: College transcripts are required and must be emailed as an attachment to nnelson@milwaukee.gov by the application closing date and time. Student/unofficial copies are acceptable; however, your transcript must be legible and include your college/university name, your name, the degree completed and the date completed.

Technical Knowledge

• Proficient in civil engineering and construction methods and practices.
• Knowledge of or a demonstration of the ability to quickly learn the City of Milwaukee’s organizational and political structure, policies and procedures, and City Ordinances and State Statutes.
• Thorough knowledge of complete streets best practices and strategies in order to establish low stress and multimodal networks that prioritize safety for the most vulnerable users of our public way.
• Thorough knowledge of green streets and storm water management best practices and strategies.
• Ability to apply practical engineering solutions to complex situations. 
• A clear understanding of the issues facing urban communities and how to determine and implement tangible and equitable solutions.
• Ability to articulate a vision for implementing the City of Milwaukee’s Complete Streets policy with an emphasis on positive health equity outcomes.
• Knowledge of the capabilities of information technology to transform and enhance related operations and services.
• Ability to read and understand complex documents such as laws, policies, and technical publications.

Leadership Skills

• Strong executive leadership and managerial skills.
• Ability to execute a vision and plan to enhance the diversity of the Infrastructure Division and to promote racial and gender equity in all aspects of employment.
• Ability to utilize effective judgement to solve problems.
• Ability to organize and develop action plans to accomplish project goals and to monitor progress for successful implementation and completion.
• Ability to build a diverse and culturally inclusive organization.
• Ability to be proactive, collaborative, and have a vision to bring interested parties together to improve Milwaukee.
• Ability to lead and maintain a direction that is in alignment with the needs of the Department of Public Works, the community, and City policy.
• Ability to provide operational oversight in the areas of strategic planning, budgeting,, organizational performance, contracts, service delivery and safety.
• Ability to provide responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Ability to represent the City of Milwaukee professionally and ethically.
• Organizational and planning skills to be able to effectively oversee workflow processes.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills 

• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to be persuasive.
• Interpersonal skills and political acumen to be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and elected officials, professionals, contractors, community groups and the public.
• Ability to effectively represent the department before public bodies and the media.
• Superior written communication skills to compose or oversee the drafting of well-crafted policies, narratives, reports, articles, presentations, and correspondence.
• Critical thinking and planning skills.       

The current salary range (1OX) is $110,689-$147,336 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $114,009-$147,336 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter, and resume. Additionally, academic transcripts are required by the application deadline. Please submit a resume, cover letter and academic transcripts via email to nnelson@milwaukee.gov. 

• Please indicate “City Engineer” in the subject line.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to Nola Nelson at 414.286.5066 or via email at nnelson@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, October 16, 2020; Extended to: Monday, November 2, 2020. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• Further information may be accessed by visiting, http://city.milwaukee.gov/jobs.
• If you would like additional assistance, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St., Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

The City of Milwaukee values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.