The City of Oak Grove, Missouri is seeking a strategic and people-oriented Public Works & Community Development Director to provide oversight, direction, and leadership to the public works and community development departments. This is a great opportunity to make an impact on this growing community while leading infrastructure improvements.

Oak Grove is ideally located with Kansas City on one side and beautiful rural Missouri on the other. Residents are just minutes away from metropolitan area activities, with the comforts of quality neighborhoods, schools and friendly people. The city has steadily grown into a suburb supporting 9,000 residents and growing small businesses. A family friendly community with award-winning schools, several lakes, parks, and a public library.

Position Summary

The Public Works & Community Development Director reports to the City Administrator, manages a team of nine and will provide development and implementation of the $5M department annual budget.

Public Works is responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the City’s infrastructure, annual budget, capital improvement projects, organizing and overseeing, streets, public water system, the sanitary sewer system, and storm maintenance, environmental compliance, land use planning, building inspections, code enforcement, new infrastructure and emergency support such as storm debris removal. The City of Oak Grove employs contractors for street and facility maintenance as well as for engineering, design and construction work. Public Works regulate all construction in the City rights-of-way.

The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a strategic vision, excellent problem-solving skills, and a commitment to serving the community to ensure essential services are provided for public safety, health and welfare.

• Manage and direct the day-to-day operations of the public works and community development departments.
• Technical and professional engineering expertise to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
• Manage and lead the annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process.
• Plan, schedule, implement and oversee all maintenance and operation activities for, water intake supply, inflow reduction, sewerage lift stations, treatment and effluent disposal processes to ensure treatment standards are met.
• Responsible for the oversight and compliance related to Public Works operations and maintenance, as well as capital construction projects, inspections, environmental services and public services.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs the implementation of changes.
• Review private project plans for compliance with codes, regulations, master plans and other standards.
• Review and evaluate plans and specifications, reports, studies, various drawings as needed.
• Coordinate programs and activities with other regional and state agencies, professional and regulatory bodies to ensure the City’s activities follow current law and responsiveness to citizens’ needs and input.
• Provide staff support, analysis, and recommendations to the City Administrator, various boards and commissions, City staff, City officials and the public. Present to the Board of Aldermen as needed.
• Provide timely communication to citizen inquiries and concerns.
• Review and update the sanitary sewer, water, storm drainage and street system maps, database and comprehensive plans using GIS.

• Three plus years of direct field supervisory experience in public works, civil engineering, or public administration.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of public works administration along with considerable knowledge of contracts, materials, methods, and techniques used in construction, maintenance and operations of streets, water and sewer utilities, stormwater, and fleet are essential.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering, construction management or related field is preferred.  
• Ability to obtain and maintain DS1 water distribution license, Wastewater D license, NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800.
• Demonstrated experience as an innovative leader who can guide the department through both long-range planning and everyday maintenance and operations, with a focus on customer service.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, equipment, procedures, objectives, and standard practices of engineering and public works operations, as well as federal, state, county, city, and other applicable statutes, agreements, standards, and codes for assigned functions.
• Budget experience.
• Demonstrated high level of professionalism with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization, employees and community.
• Proficiency with GIS (Geographic Information System), Microsoft Office and other types of software.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary hiring range is $81,750-102,235, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. The City of Oak Grove offers a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, a wellness program, paid vacation and sick leave, and membership in the Missouri Local Government Employee’s Retirement System (LAGERS).

Apply today; first applicant review begins November 10, 2025.

We appreciate your referrals to professionals who may have an interest in this outstanding opportunity. Formal interest with cover letter and resume accepted through the OMNI Executive Career Portal.

Please direct all inquiries to:

OMNI Human Resource Solutions

Stacey Cowan, Senior Search Consultant, Practice Leader – Local Government Services scowan@omnihrm.com | 913.653.8085

OMNI and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers