Commissioner of Public Works, Schoharie County

Commissioner of Public Works
284 Main Street
Schoharie County, New York 12157
Salary Range, Tier 1: $98,394-$120,288 (Non-PE Designation)
Salary Range, Tier 2: $125,000-$140,000 (PE Designation)
Term: Three Years (renewable)

Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Opportunity
Schoharie County, nestled in the heart of New York’s Mohawk Valley and known for its natural beauty, strong communities, and rich history, is seeking an experienced and visionary Commissioner of Public Works to lead one of its largest and most complex departments. The Department of Public Works (DPW) manages a workforce of 81 employees, a $31 million annual budget, and oversees critical infrastructure including 322 miles of county roads, 91 county-owned bridges, county facilities, and the county’s vehicle and equipment fleet.
This is a unique leadership opportunity for an individual with strong managerial and administrative skills to guide a department central to Schoharie County’s future.
Key Responsibilities
The Commissioner of Public Works shall:

• Exercise all powers and duties of the County Engineer and County Superintendent of Highways pursuant to New York State law.
• Oversee the design, construction, and alteration of county facilities, including buildings, roads, bridges, recreational facilities, and other public works.
• Direct the maintenance, repair, and custodial care of county-owned or leased buildings, lands, vehicles and public works infrastructure.
• Manage county facilities for drainage, flood control, sanitation, sewerage, and water supply projects.
• Furnish engineering and related services to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Development Agency, and other county departments.
• Supervise and manage a leadership team, responsible for four operating divisions:
  • Administration (7 staff, $518k budget)
  • Buildings & Grounds (14 staff, $2.5M budget)
  • Highway (41 staff, $26.6M budget)
  • Machinery (8 staff, $1.8M budget)

Qualifications
Preferred: Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in New York State.
Preferred: Significant managerial experience leading a large, complex public works or engineering organization.
Bachelor's degree in engineering, Construction Technology or closely related field AND five (5) years of paid professional experience in highway and/or bridge maintenance and construction, and building maintenance, two (2) of which must have been in a supervisor and budgetary role;
OR
Associate's degree in engineering, Construction Technology or closely related field AND seven (7) years of paid professional experience in highway and/or bridge maintenance and construction, and building maintenance, two (2) of which must have been in a supervisor and budgetary role.
Demonstrated expertise in civil engineering, highway construction, and/or infrastructure management.
Knowledge of public administration, budgeting, and personnel management.
Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to foster a positive organizational culture.

Residency Requirement: Must establish residency in Schoharie County or a contiguous county within six (6) months of appointment.

Application Process
Pracademic Partners, an executive search firm, is assisting the County with this recruitment. Additional information about the position, including a direct application link to apply, is available at https://www.pracademicpartners.com/current-recruitments 

Questions, nominations, or recommendations should be directed to Gary Evans at gary@pracademicpartners.com. with the subject line, "Schoharie - Public Works Commissioner”

Deadline
Open until filled. Anticipated next round of interviews will begin March 11, 2026