Director of Broadband and Digital Infrastructure

Director of Broadband and Digital Infrastructure

Salary: $106,665.14 - $129,667.20 Annually

Location: City of Fort Bragg - City Hall

Job Type: Full Time

Department: Broadband & Digital Infrastructure

Job Number: 202400029

Closing: 6/4/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

Mission: Fort Bragg is a small town nestled between the coast and the redwoods with a strong sense of community that seeks to preserve its environment while providing resilient public facilities and infrastructure and supporting a safe and vibrant economic, multi-cultural, and recreational experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Vision: Fort Bragg, a California coastal destination with rich natural resources and rugged beauty, is transforming our future by weaving together our people, ecosystems, and economy to create community prosperity. We are making our mark in the 21st Century by creating climate-ready water and energy independence, housing and economic opportunities, accessible health care, community public safety, and education for all.

We are guided by the following Core Values:

Innovation: We highly encourage creativity and forward-thinking solutions to meet the evolving needs of our city.

Honesty & Integrity: We believe in transparent, honest, and ethical interactions with our community and stakeholders.

Service-Oriented: We are responsive to the public and to each other to demonstrate our genuine commitment to creating a Fort Bragg that Serves us today and readies us for a successful tomorrow.

Fair & Ethical: principles and practices, Fort Bragg promotes an inclusive community culture of unity and equality that openly invites everyone to enjoy our unique coastal enclave.

Collaboration: nourishes civic pride and celebrates the diversity of our city and the meaningful municipal services that our residents and businesses rely on.

POSITION SUMMARY

The City of Fort Bragg is proud to be launching its own Municipal Broadband Utility - a bold step toward ensuring affordable, high-speed internet access for all residents and businesses. Backed by over $10 million in state funding and the recent acquisition of Mendocino Community Network (MCN), this initiative positions Fort Bragg as a regional leader in digital equity and innovation. As we enter the implementation phase, we are seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Director of Municipal Broadband to work closely with the City Manager in building, operating, and growing this transformative public service.

TYPICAL DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for the Municipal Broadband Utility aligned with City goals.
• Serve as the public face of the Broadband Utility, building partnerships with local stakeholders, state and federal agencies, and technology vendors.
• Ensuring the broadband network supports digital equity, economic vitality, and smart city initiatives.

Infrastructure & Operations

• Oversee the buildout and maintenance of broadband infrastructure including fiber networks, POPs, and last-mile connectivity.
• Coordinate and supervise engineering consultants, construction contractors, and city staff involved in deployment.
• Manage the City's broadband assets, rights-of-way, and utility integration to ensure efficient delivery and regulatory compliance.

Program & Service Delivery

• Design and implement broadband service offerings and pricing models in line with community needs and operational cost recovery.
• Lead customer service strategy, ensuring a high standard of responsiveness, transparency, and reliability.
• Oversee acquisition and integration of Mendocino Community Network (MCN) and ensure seamless service continuity.

Financial & Administrative Oversight

• Develop and manage the broadband utility budget, including rate setting, financial forecasting, and debt service obligations.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to support infrastructure investment.
• Provide regular updates to the City Council, public, and oversight bodies on performance metrics, capital improvements, and risk management.

Marketing, Outreach & Community Engagement

• Lead strategic marketing efforts to promote broadband services, build brand awareness, and drive subscriber growth.
• Develop communications plans, digital campaigns, and promotional materials in collaboration with the City Manager.
• Organize and participate in public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and community events to build understanding and support for the utility.
• Create feedback loops to incorporate community input and improve service offerings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Telecommunications, Engineering, Public Administration, or related field required. Master's degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in broadband or telecommunications infrastructure planning and management, including at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated experience with fiber optic systems, utility service delivery models, and regulatory compliance is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep understanding of broadband technology, municipal utilities, and digital equity frameworks.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing capital projects and operational budgets.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and work in a dynamic, evolving environment.