Assistant Public Works Superintendent(Grand Ledge)

Assistant Public Works Superintendent

City of Grand Ledge

Supervised By: Public Services Superintendent and/or Public Works Superintendent  

Supervises: Department of Public Services (DPS) staff and others as assigned. 

General Summary:

Under the general direction of the Public Works Superintendent, assists in the planning and management of the City’s drinking water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, city engineering, utility construction, maintenance, rights-of-way, utility vehicle and equipment fleet, Public Services garage, grounds and maintenance, airport, parks and recreation facilities, and cemetery. Supervises assigned personnel and participates in the activities of the department, stays current with pertinent statutes and Federal and State drinking water regulations, industry trends & technology, and assists in developing recommendations for the efficient and effective operations of all department functions. 

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. 

1. Assists in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating aspects of the water pumping, treatment, and distribution systems, the wastewater collection systems, and infrastructure elements, right-of-way, airport, cemetery, parks, and grounds and facilities operations, including personnel management, budgeting, general administration, and capital needs assessment.  Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures in accordance with departmental directives, policies, procedures, regulations, and City guidelines.   
2. Participate in the recruitment and hiring of department personnel, both seasonal and part-time. Assists in the supervision of personnel, evaluates performance, and oversees training. Assists in the disciplinary action of personnel in accordance with established procedures and participates in labor relations activities as directed. Oversees volunteers and community service workers when applicable. 
3. Assists in the assessment of department operations, staffing levels, facilities, and equipment. Assists in developing annual budget requests covering operations and helps monitor budget expenditure. Assists with purchasing supplies, equipment, and materials in accordance with established procedures as directed. 
4. Assists with the implementation of safety awareness programming in accordance with departmental policy and City, State, and Federal guidelines. Instructs employees on safety standards, precautionary procedures, and departmental policies and procedures.  
5. Under the general direction of the Public Works Superintendent, directs the daily activities of DPS staff by preparing schedules, assigning and supervising work, monitoring performance, and determining priorities. Oversee the routine maintenance, standard operations, and special projects associated with utilities, parks, and associated equipment, recycling/compost center, airport, and related infrastructure. 
6. Under the general direction of the Public Works Superintendent, assists with construction projects and works with engineers, contractors, and inspectors. Assists with various community special events; devises, arranges, and adjusts plans for debris and litter pick-up and removal. 
7. Assists in assessing the need for private contracting of special projects and services, participates in the contracting process, and provides project oversight and quality control as directed. 
8. Conducts research, compiles information, and prepares reports at the request of the Public Works Superintendent. Represents the Public Works Department at various meetings and makes presentations as requested.
9. Operates light and heavy equipment, tools, and vehicles in support of various projects associated with the department or other departments as needed.  Performs snow removal activities as assigned, including emergency snow removal. 
10. Coordinates work with Public Services Superintendent and provides project assistance as needed. 
11. Availability to respond to weather and infrastructure emergencies, and water and wastewater alarms as situations may dictate.  Provides on-call duty if necessary. 
12. May be assigned temporarily to other departments to perform duties that utilize the individual employee’s skills and abilities.  In this situation, the employee may perform duties specified in any Public Services Department job description.
13. Performs related duties and special projects as needed. 
14. These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform.  

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

• Educational requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent; a college degree is preferred in an applicable field.
• Experience requirements include five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public works functions, water distribution/treatment, and wastewater collection system operation and maintenance, grounds and facility maintenance, Cemetery burials, and landscaping, including supervisory experience. 
• Ability to obtain a State of Michigan Class S3 water distribution certificate, Class D3 limited water treatment certificate, and the State of Michigan required hours of experience. (Approximately 2 years). 
• A valid Michigan driver’s license and the obtainment of a Michigan Commercial Driver’s License Class A with air brake endorsement within one (1) year.
• A State of Michigan Class D wastewater treatment certificate preferred. 
• Ability to obtain a State of Michigan Stormwater Certificate within one (1) year. 
• Ability to obtain a Playground Safety Inspector Certificate within one (1) year.
• valid Michigan driver’s license and the ability to obtain a Michigan Commercial Driver’s License Class A with air brake endorsement within one (1) year.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, initiative, and resourcefulness in dealing with the public, elected officials, community leaders, and other professionals.
• Knowledge of the machines, equipment, materials, safety precautions, and operating practices of modern water and wastewater systems, public works, and related equipment.
• Knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Act 399 P.A. 1977, and related legislation.
• Ability to effectively train, lead, motivate, evaluate, and discipline employees under emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Ability to plan, supervise, evaluate, and inspect the work of others; ability to effectively discipline assigned personnel.   • Ability to work effectively as part of a team and individually.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare comprehensive reports on the operations of the department.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and maps of water and wastewater systems, grounds and facilities, and public works systems.
• Ability to critically assess situations and solve problems, and to work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and with changes in work priorities.
• Ability to perform a broad range of maintenance and repair functions. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others in person, via phone calls, text, and email, review and produce written and electronic documents and drawings, and attend meetings at locations throughout the city. The employee is frequently required to inspect work in progress at locations throughout the City and occasionally required to lift and/or move objects of moderate to heavy weight, operate hand and power tools, traverse uneven ground, and perform work at varying heights and in all light conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to high-pressure water systems, sanitary sewer, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; moving mechanical parts and/or heavy equipment; outside weather conditions; vibration; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment ranges from moderate to very loud. 

Application:

This class specification is intended merely to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties whose performance may ever be required of such employees or to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

January 27, 2026

**In addition to the regular vacation accrual, this position will receive an additional forty (40) hours of vacation time per year, in accordance with section 4.8 of the Personnel Manual.

First Review of Resumes Begin February 18, 2026

Apply Here