Public Works Director
Harrison, OH
Public Works Director, Harrison, OH (Population 12,563)

The City of Harrison, Ohio is looking for a dynamic innovative leader for the newly titled position of Public Works Director. This person will direct the staff and activities of the Department of Services and the Department of Utilities while providing valuable insights and expertise to the Mayor and Department Heads regarding how to address complex community and infrastructure issues and how to advance opportunities. The Public Works Director will be a strategic visionary who brings new ideas and a forward-thinking approach to the departments and the City. The successful candidate will have a wide range of experience and skills including an in-depth knowledge of the maintenance of streets, parks, and municipal facilities, and understanding of water and wastewater distribution and collection systems, operation of sewage lift stations, the maintenance and procurement of equipment, and project management.

Settled in 1810 and named after William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, the City of Harrison is in the western most part of Hamilton County, along the Ohio and Indiana border; a suburb of the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area.

Harrison was incorporated in 1850 and became a city in 1981. It has a rich and vibrant history and is known for its welcoming, friendly, small-town charm, and low taxes. The population has doubled since 1990, to nearly 15,000 residents today. The City has experienced tremendous residential and commercial growth during the past 30 years and is expected to continue to grow.

The City of Harrison is located along Interstate 74 and is situated in a region that combines the best of suburban/rural living. It is located close to major outdoor attractions, and proximity to big city amenities, with downtown Cincinnati and the CVG International Airport just a 20-minute drive away. There is a wide variety of new and established housing development options to choose from and the City includes a defined downtown area.

The City of Harrison is a home-rule incorporated charter form of government. The Charter, which was adopted in June 1981, established the “Mayor-Council Plan” of governance for the City.

The successful candidate will be an “out-of-the-box” thinker who is comfortable being involved in different activities of the City and able to “wear many different hats.” They will have a strong desire for professional administrative leadership advancement and possess exceptional communication skills. They will be adept at keeping the Mayor informed of day-to-day operational concerns and issues occurring in the City and guiding the City through decision-making. Knowing when to exercise independent judgement and facilitate consensus while having the ability to effectively do both is essential.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field is preferred with between five (5) and ten (10) years recent documented work experience in public works, utility construction and maintenance. In addition, at least five (5) years’ experience in a supervisor capacity over professional and labor or trades personnel is preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
This is a full-time, exempt position, and the salary will be commensurate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000 and includes a full City OPERS Pick-up of the Employee’s required contribution, making the effective range $99,000 to $126,500. This salary is negotiable depending on the specific qualifications of the final candidate. The City of Harrison also offers an excellent benefits program, including vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, medical, dental and vision insurance, and participation in the aforementioned Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS).
There is no residency requirement for the Public Works Director.

The Public Works Director position is open until filled with the first review of candidates taking place on December 2, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Questions should be directed to Michael Hinnenkamp at Ohio Plan Management Resources at (513) 906-6705. Faxed or mailed applications will not be accepted. For more information and a full Community/Position Profile Brochure, go to www.ohioplan.com and click on Active Recruitments in the green bar at the top of the page.