Lead the highway and transportation infrastructure operation of one of New York's largest and most dynamic suburban communities.
The Town of Colonie, New York is seeking an experienced and accomplished professional to serve as its next Highway Director. This is an opportunity to lead a substantial municipal highway operation while shaping the future of the infrastructure that supports a community of approximately 87,000 full-time residents and a daytime population of 150,000 across 56 square miles.
Located in the heart of New York's Capital District, Colonie offers an exceptional combination of professional opportunity and quality of life. Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and the Adirondack Park are all within easy reach, while major highways, passenger rail, and Albany International Airport provide convenient access to New York City, Boston and beyond. Colonie offers excellent schools, established communities, outdoor recreation, healthcare, arts and culture, dining, and professional opportunities - without the pace and cost of a major metropolitan area.
The Opportunity
The Highway Director is the senior leader responsible for the planning, management, and delivery of the Town's highway and transportation infrastructure services.
The Town maintains approximately 332 centerline miles of roadway, along with sidewalks, stormwater and drainage infrastructure, street lighting, rights-of-way, and other transportation assets.
Reporting to the Commissioner of Public Works, the Highway Director will lead the Highway Division's day-to-day operations while developing and implementing long-term strategies for infrastructure investment, maintenance, and improvement.
This leadership position combines engineering, operations, capital planning, construction, budgeting, personnel management, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and public service.
Key Responsibilities
· Lead the Highway Division and ensure the efficient and effective use of personnel, equipment, materials, and financial resources.
· Develop and implement capital programs for roadway reconstruction, bridge and culvert rehabilitation, drainage improvements, and transportation infrastructure.
· Direct roadway, bridge, culvert, drainage, sidewalk, traffic signal, and street lighting construction and maintenance.
· Oversee the Town's snow and ice control and emergency response operations.
· Review engineering plans, specifications, traffic control plans, development proposals, and construction activities affecting Town infrastructure.
· Ensure compliance with applicable FHWA, NYSDOT, MUTCD, NBIS, and other Federal, State, and local requirements.
· Develop and administer operating and capital budgets and oversee procurement, bidding, and contracts.
· Lead, develop, and supervise Highway Division personnel while maintaining a high-performance and customer-service-oriented organization.
· Advance infrastructure asset management and GIS-based systems for the Town's roadway, bridge, drainage, traffic, signage, and lighting assets.
· Work effectively with elected officials, Town management, employees, residents, developers, contractors, consultants, and Federal, State, County, and local agencies.
· Identify opportunities to improve operations, technology, organizational effectiveness, and service delivery.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an experienced infrastructure leader who can combine sound engineering judgment with strong management and communication skills.
The ideal candidate will have:
· Significant experience in highway, roadway, bridge, drainage, transportation, or related infrastructure.
· Demonstrated administrative and supervisory leadership experience.
· Strong knowledge of highway construction, engineering plans, specifications, contracts, materials, and equipment.
· Experience managing complex capital projects and operating and capital budgets.
· Knowledge of FHWA and NYSDOT requirements and standards.
· The ability to make sound decisions, prioritize competing demands, and manage a complex municipal operation.
· Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with employees, elected officials, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and the public.
· A commitment to public service, operational excellence, and delivering reliable infrastructure to the community.
Minimum Qualifications
Option 1: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering field, registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in New York State, and eight (8) years of experience in highway, roadway, bridge, or drainage infrastructure design, construction, or maintenance, including at least three (3) years with administrative and supervisory responsibility.
OR
Option 2: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field, plus either a Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field, or qualifying professional certification, and eight (8) years of experience in highway, roadway, bridge, or drainage infrastructure design, construction, or maintenance, including at least three (3) years with administrative and supervisory responsibility.
Compensation
Starting salary for this position is $115,210 and increases to $121,274 after two years.
The Town of Colonie offers outstanding benefits including exceptional health, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, and NYS Retirement System pension.
If you are an experienced highway or public works professional ready to lead a major municipal infrastructure operation, we invite you to consider the Town of Colonie.
How to Apply:
https://www.townofcolonie.gov/departments/civilservice/employment#employment
https://www.townofcolonie.gov/departments/civilservice/employment-application
