City of Coon Rapids Seeks Deputy Public Works Director to Help Lead One of Its Most Visible Departments

Coon Rapids, MN

The City of Coon Rapids is recruiting its next Deputy Public Works Director, a senior leadership role that sits at the operational heart of one of the city’s most consequential departments.

The position, currently open and posted through the city’s official hiring portal, is designed to support Public Works Director Tim Himmer while directly overseeing daily municipal operations that residents rely on every day: streets, utilities, parks, fleet, and forestry services.

The job is open until filled, with the first round of application reviews scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, according to the city’s official posting.

A Leadership Role at Street Level

Public Works is where local government becomes tangible. It is the plow clearing 111th Avenue before sunrise. It is the crew repairing a water main in subzero wind. It is the park maintenance team preparing ballfields before the first pitch of spring.

The Deputy Director serves as both operational commander and strategic partner.

According to the official job description, the role includes:

• Operational Leadership: Direct oversight of divisions responsible for Streets, Utilities, Parks, Fleet, and Forestry.
• Employee Relations and Supervision: Coaching supervisors, managing performance evaluations, resolving workplace issues, and operating within a union environment.
• Acting Authority: Serving as Acting Public Works Director in the Director’s absence, representing the city during high-level meetings and emergency response situations.
• Budget and CIP Oversight: Assisting in development and administration of the department’s budget and contributing to the Capital Improvement Program.
• Regulatory Compliance and Safety: Ensuring adherence to environmental standards, state licensing requirements, and workplace safety protocols.
• Emergency Response Coordination: Maintaining readiness across divisions for severe weather and infrastructure emergencies.

The city’s posting makes clear that this is not a ceremonial role. It is a position rooted in daily operational decision making, personnel leadership, and long range infrastructure stewardship.

Department Structure: The Team Behind the Work

The Deputy Director will collaborate closely with an established supervisory team that manages specialized functions within Public Works. According to city information, that leadership group includes:

• Streets Superintendent: Josh Peterson
• Utilities Superintendent: Daniel Heinzmann
• Parks Supervisor: Gregg Engle
• Fleet Supervisor: Joe Wagner
• City Forester: Tom Schibilla
• Facilities Manager: Dzevad Mahmutovic

Together, these supervisors oversee services that touch virtually every household in Coon Rapids.

The department operates out of the Public Works Facility at 1831 111th Avenue NW, and its scope is extensive. City records show the department maintains approximately 230 miles of city streets, oversees 48 parks, manages water distribution and sanitary sewer systems, and operates a fleet that supports year-round municipal functions.

The city’s Snow and Ice Control program is one of the department’s most visible operations, often mobilizing crews around the clock during winter storms. Its forestry division is also known for its long-standing “Shade Tree” efforts aimed at canopy preservation and replacement.

Compensation and Qualifications

The city has established a competitive executive-level salary structure:

• Annual Salary Range: $135,179.20 to $168,438.40
• Anticipated Hiring Range: $135,179.20 to $151,091.20

The position includes a comprehensive municipal benefits package that, according to city materials, includes PERA retirement participation, health and dental insurance, disability coverage, paid leave, and deferred compensation options.

Minimum Requirements

Based on the official posting, minimum qualifications include:

• An Associate’s degree in engineering, public works, public administration, business, or a related field
• Five years of public works or construction experience, including at least three years in a supervisory role
• Ability to obtain required licensure, including wastewater and water operator certifications within one year and a Class A CDL within six months if not already held
• A valid Minnesota driver’s license

Preferred qualifications include a four-year degree and progressively responsible municipal operations leadership experience.

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and relevant certifications or degree documentation to be considered.

Why This Hire Matters

In growing suburban communities like Coon Rapids, infrastructure leadership quietly shapes quality of life. Roads must be maintained before they fail. Storm systems must function before floods arrive. Trees must be replanted long before canopy loss becomes visible.

The Deputy Public Works Director sits at that intersection of immediacy and foresight.

While residents may never attend a budget workshop or capital planning meeting, they experience the outcomes daily: safe streets, functioning utilities, clean parks, and dependable response when emergencies strike.

The city’s decision to recruit for this role signals continued investment in operational depth and administrative continuity within one of its most visible service departments.

Applications remain open until the position is filled, with first review set for March 6, 2026.

More information and the official posting are available through the City of Coon Rapids employment portal.

MinneapoliMedia