About Durango
Durango, Colorado, is a vibrant mountain town known for its historic charm, active lifestyle, and stunning natural surroundings. Nestled at the base of the San Juan Mountains, Durango offers year-round outdoor recreation—from skiing and mountain biking to rafting and hiking—alongside a lively downtown filled with local shops, restaurants, and galleries. With a strong sense of community, a thriving arts scene, excellent K–12 schools, and Fort Lewis College, Durango blends small-town warmth with big adventure.
About the Department
The City of Durango’s Public Works Department is dedicated to enhancing the community’s quality of life by managing essential infrastructure and delivering reliable, customer-focused services. The department supports public safety, environmental health, and the local economy through five divisions:
- Engineering & Stormwater – Manages the stormwater management program, project development and plan review, right-of-way and excavation permitting, construction inspections, and traffic control planning and studies.
- Utilities – Oversees the city’s water and wastewater treatment facilities and water distribution systems.
- Capital Improvements – Leads major construction projects valued at over $50,000 with a lifespan of three years or more.
- Streets – Maintains 83 miles of roads, storm drains, street markings, and provides snow removal services.
- Trash & Recycle – Delivers solid waste and recycling services, including bulk item pickup and composting initiatives.
About the Position
Reporting to the Public Works Director, the City Engineer leads the Engineering & Stormwater Division within the Public Works Department. This position is responsible for managing public improvement projects across the City of Durango, ensuring they are designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with City, State, and Federal codes and standards.
The City Engineer provides strategic oversight of stormwater management, infrastructure design, project reviews, permitting, inspections, traffic studies, and stormwater compliance. The role also supports the planning and review of both public and private development projects.
Working collaboratively across City departments and with external partners, the City Engineer plays a key role in advancing resilient, efficient infrastructure systems that align with Durango’s long-term goals for safety, sustainability, and quality of life.
Essential Job Duties:
- Oversees Public Improvement Projects: Designs, constructs, and maintains public infrastructure projects.
- Leads and Manages Division Staff: Manages Engineering Division personnel, including hiring, training, and performance evaluation.
- Reviews Private Development Designs: Ensures compliance with city standards for private development plans.
- Conducts Engineering Studies and Analyses: Performs engineering studies, cost analyses, and design accuracy checks.
- Supervises Stormwater and Capital Projects: Oversees capital improvements and stormwater projects, including contractor and consultant coordination.
- Maintains Official City Engineering Records: Keeps city records such as maps, utility plans, and facility documents up to date.
- Collaborates with External Stakeholders: Works with developers, engineers, architects, and contractors to guide city policy.
- Ensures Regulatory and Code Compliance: Confirms adherence to safety regulations, engineering codes, and environmental standards.
- Oversees Public Improvement Inspections: Supervises inspections to ensure compliance with city specifications.
- Manages Division Budgets and Capital Allocations: Oversees budgeting and funding for projects and capital improvements.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have proven leadership skills to successfully manage and cultivate a high-performing team of ten (10). They will bring their expertise in stormwater management and public infrastructure design to drive projects from start to finish while ensuring timely, budget-conscious, and regulatory-compliant results. An excellent communicator, the City Engineer will collaborate with city leaders, developers, and the community.
Education and Licenses
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Must hold a valid Colorado Professional Engineer (PE) license or be able to obtain one within one (1) year of hire.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Experience
- Minimum of eight (8) years of civil engineering experience, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
Equivalent Qualifications
- A combination of education and experience may be considered if it provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the position.
Salary & Benefits
The annual pay range for this position is $100,429.00 - $150,643.00. The City of Durango offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance (effective the first of the month after hire), a City-funded 401(a) retirement plan with an 11.2% City contribution and 9% employee contribution, optional 457(b) savings, and generous paid time off with 11 holidays. Additional benefits include free access to the Recreation Center and City Transit, tuition assistance, volunteer hours, life and disability insurance, wellness incentives, and 24/7 employee assistance services.
Belong at the City of Durango:
We believe in creating an inclusive workforce that welcomes diversity of thoughts, viewpoints, and experiences.
The City of Durango is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.
