THE POSITION
The Director of Public Works is responsible to plan, organize, direct, and review the activities and operations of the Public Works Department, including fleet, parking, streets, airport, transit, traffic, electrical, solid waste, forestry, and park operations; to provide leadership to the department and City organization; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager and Deputy City Manager. For more information read full job description.
The recruitment is being conducted by Ralph Andersen & Associates. Candidates are encouraged to submit electronically. To be considered, candidates must submit a compelling cover letter, comprehensive resume, and six (6) professional references via email to apply@ralphandersen.com. Candidates are encouraged to submit early in the process, before Monday, March 30, 2026. Review of the applicant pool with the City Manager’s Office will take place during the first full week in April. Following the initial screening of qualifications, candidates may be asked to complete a series of written responses for further evaluation. Ralph Andersen & Associates will conduct all preliminary interviews. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Interviews will be held in mid-to-late April for candidates invited to proceed.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please call Heather Renschler, Project Director, at (916) 630-4900. Confidential inquiries are strongly encouraged. To schedule an introductory discussion with the Project Director, send an email to scheduling@ralphandersen.com. For more information about the City of Modesto, visit www.modestogov.com. For more details, click on this link to their website.
Unrepresented Directors
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM: CalPERS enrollment in either the 2% @ 60 or the 2% @ 62 formula is dependent on eligibility, as per AB 340. Employee pays the full member contribution. Retirement benefit is based on the employees three year final compensation average. The City does not participate in Social Security except for the required 1.45% Medicare contribution by both the City and the employee (applies to employees hired after 4-1-86).
HOLIDAYS: 12 paid holidays per year plus 8 hours of holiday credit.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE: Eighty hours of Management Leave is provided annually.
VACATION: Accrual normally begins at a rate of two weeks per year, with incremental increases to five weeks at 21 years of service. Employees may accumulate up to two times their annual accrual.
SICK LEAVE: Accumulated at 8 hours per month, 96 hours per year. Employees may accumulate up to 2,200 hours.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Health, dental and vision coverage is provided. The City's monthly contribution to health, dental and vision benefits is based on a three-tier system as follows:
$ 2,028.00 Employee + Family
$ 1,436.00 Employee + 1 Dependent
$ 718.00 Employee Only
$ 450.00 Opt Out
The employee pays the balance. An employee who opts out of health coverage receives the amount noted above minus dental and vision premium on their paycheck and treated as taxable income. Dental and vision coverage continuation is available upon retirement.
LIFE INSURANCE: Provided in the amount of $120,000 by the City. Supplemental coverage is available at employee cost.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE: Coverage is provided by the City, at City cost. This benefit pays 66 2/3% of the first $12,000 per month in salary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: With matching contributions by the employee, the City will contribute 1.5% of salary, (increasing to 2.5% at 9 years of service) to a voluntary 457 Plan and for Executives the City also contributes 3% to a mandatory 401(a) Money Purchase Plan, requiring a 3% employee contribution. For Charter Officers, the 401(a) Plan contribution is 5% for employee and City.
RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (RHS): $2,400 initial deposit provided upon completion of a two (2) year vesting period, after initial contribution is made, the City shall contribute $100 per month
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to employees and dependents. Plan provides up to 3 counseling visits per incident, at City expense.
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Master's Degree Pay in the amount of 5% of salary. Bachelor's Degree Pay in the amount of 2.5% of salary.
LONGEVITY PAY: 2.5% of salary at 10 years of service.
CITY CAR/CAR ALLOWANCE: Up to $400 monthly is provided for some positions.
SECTION 125 PLAN: Providing for pre-tax deductions for employee-paid health premium and dependent care costs.
