Director of Public Works/Airport Operations (Licensed & Unlicensed)

Definition & Distinguishing Characteristics

For experienced leaders, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact within an organization that values innovation, responsiveness, and practical problem-solving. The County maintains an active and diverse portfolio of infrastructure, transportation, and operational responsibilities that provide meaningful opportunities for strategic leadership and project delivery.

For candidates pursuing their first department head opportunity, the County offers a supportive environment with strong organizational infrastructure, established professional relationships, and access to mentorship from experienced public works professionals with decades of leadership experience. The organization is committed to developing leadership capacity and fostering long-term success through collaboration, guidance, and shared expertise.

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. All relevant work experience, training, and education must be included to determine eligibility.
  
• Screening for minimum qualifications: June 8, 2026.
• Successful applicants will be notified of the dates for first interviews and executive-level interviews once they have been scheduled.

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Management Leave: 10 days
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

Supervision & Examples of Duties

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Receives general administrative direction from the County Administrative Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical and clerical staff.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Public Works Director/ Director of Airport Operations:
Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 120 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

OR

Nine (9) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 60 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

Additional combinations of education and experience may be considered.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid State of California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Certificate of Registration as a professional Civil Engineer in the State of California, preferred.

Land surveying license in the State of California, preferred.

It is expected that the incumbent for the Director position will successfully complete the one-week course and exam to attain a Floodplain Manager Certification, within one year of appointment.

Supplemental Information

SALARY:
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/AIRPORT OPERATOR - UNLICENSED: $10,343 – $18,717 MONTHLY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/AIRPORT OPERATOR - LICENSED: $11,418 – $18,717 MONTHLY

The salary range above consists of 15 steps. Steps 1-6 are annual merit steps with approximately 5% difference between each step, based on successful performance. Steps 7-15 are additional merit steps, requiring 2 years of satisfactory performance at the previous step. Steps 7-14 provide 2.5% increases, while Step 15 offers a 5% increase. The final salary offered will depend on the applicant's experience and qualifications, ranging from steps 1 to 15.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Thank you for your interest in employment with the County of Colusa.

You must demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications of the position. Please be detailed in the job duties of your work history to clearly demonstrate the duties that are relevant to the position in which you are applying.

All sections of the application MUST be completed. Required documents such as a resume, cover letter, references, and any position-specific certifications must be attached and are not accepted in place of completing the application. Blank applications that reference "see resume" will be disqualified. As your resume and supplemental materials will not be considered as part of the initial screening process.

Be sure to review your application prior to submission. No new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.

Application materials are the property of the County of Colusa and will not be returned.

It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number and email address. Failure to do so may result in a missed notification of exams or interviews.

The minimum qualifications as stated in this job announcement represent only the basic requirements of the position. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee that a candidate will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding this job announcement or the application process:

For a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the NEOGOV application process, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide

Email the Human Resources Department at ccpersonnel@countyofcolusaca.gov or call 530-458-0420.

Addtional Information:

Colusa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ALL Colusa County employees automatically become Disaster Service Workers. This means that when Colusa County experiences emergencies (earthquake, wildfire, power outage, flood, etc.) you may be asked to pivot from your regular duties to provide critical services to those affected by the emergency (CA Govt Code § 3102). As a designated Disaster Worker, you will be required to complete training and may be required report for work during emergencies.

Colusa County does not reimburse travel expenses for employment applications.

The county participates in E-Verify.

Retirees may be subject to hiring restrictions according to Government Code Section 21221 (h) and 21224 for California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

Please find the summary of benefits for all Department Heads here 2026 Department Heads Benefits Summary