GovHRUSA
The City of Waite Park, MN (population 8,342) The City of Waite Park – the community where Minnesota connects – is seeking a strategic, collaborative and people-centered leader with strong technical credibility to serve as its next Public Works Director. Waite Park is a dynamic, growing city located in Stearns County, and the heart of the St. Cloud metropolitan area, about 70 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. The city serves as a regional commercial and employment hub, anchored by major retail, service, and light industrial areas along key transportation corridors, including Interstate 94, Highway 23, and County State Aid Highway 75.
Waite Park combines a strong tax base and a high daytime population with established neighborhoods, diverse housing options, and an engaged, multicultural community. Residents and visitors enjoy a high quality of life supported by parks, trails, and signature amenities such as Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, and the Ledge Amphitheater. The city offers a full range of municipal services delivered by a collaborative, service-oriented city organization. This blend of regional significance, steady growth, and community focus makes Waite Park an exciting and rewarding environment for public works leadership.
The Public Works Director serves as the senior leader of the Public Works Department, providing professional, administrative, and operational direction across a broad range of municipal services. Responsibilities include oversight of street and stormwater drainage maintenance, solid waste operations, snow and ice control, street lighting and signage, animal control, fleet and equipment maintenance, utilities, municipal buildings, recreation/parks, and grounds maintenance.
Under the direction of the City Administrator, the Director establishes departmental goals, policies, and priorities and ensures effective delivery of high-quality public services. The position provides leadership and supervision to a skilled workforce of 18 full-time employees and one part-time employee, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Candidate Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree with special certifications to include:
- Minnesota Department of Health Class B or higher Water certification or the ability to obtain within 3 years.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Class S-C or higher Wastewater certification or the ability to obtain within 3 years.
- Possession of Class B or higher commercial driver's license with air brakes and tanker endorsement valid in the State of Minnesota.
- Extensive experience working in a supervisory role within a public works department.
- Availability to promptly respond with an approximate 30-minutes response to major emergency situations involving the public works department and subject to call out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Waite Park will consider an equivalent combination of education and experience that allows an individual to perform the essential functions of the job.
Compensation & Benefits: The salary range is $123,615 to $165,950 DOQ/E. The City of Waite Park provides a comprehensive benefits package, including City contributions to a defined benefit plan (PERA), medical insurance, life insurance, sick and vacation accruals. Voluntary benefits include long- and short-term disability, dental, vision, supplemental life, 457 and tuition reimbursement. Residency is not required.
To apply: Applications are accepted through the end of the day on March 20, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online with resume, cover letter and contact information for five work-related references. Confidential inquiries may be directed to either Ellen Hiniker, Tel: (651) 338-0531, or Pam Dmytrenko, Tel. (612) 747-7714, MGT Approved Independent Executive Recruiters. Interviews with the City of Waite Park are expected to occur at the end of April. The City of Waite Park, MN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Application Deadline: March 20, 2026
Posted: 2026-02-20
To apply for this job please visit www.govhrusa.com.