Public Works Assistant Director - County Engineer

Kitsap County • Port Orchard, WA

5d

About The Position

Kitsap County Public Works is seeking a dynamic Public Works Assistant Director and County Engineer with exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. This executive-level position leads transportation planning, roads engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance programs for a diverse and rapidly evolving community. The ideal candidate will be an agile, collaborative, and service-oriented leader skilled at building relationships, guiding teams through change, and representing the County with professionalism in high-visibility settings. The role requires strong technical expertise paired with the ability to coordinate effectively across departments, communicate complex topics to non-engineers, and engage with the public and elected officials with clarity and confidence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in engineering, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of public or private transportation facilities
• Four years of senior management experience overseeing engineering, operations, and/or maintenance personnel
• Licensed as a Washington State Professional Engineer (PE), or currently in the process of securing Washington State comity
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and community engagement

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field
• Experience with Washington State CRAB Standards of Good Practice
• Experience with WSDOT Local Agency Guidelines and WSDOT Standard Specifications for engineering and construction

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Road Division, including Roads Engineering, Transportation/Traffic Operations, and Road Maintenance—approximately 150 full-time staff with a $40+ million annual budget.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively coordinate and collaborate across departments, providing consistent guidance on traffic review processes and other engineering functions.
• Fulfill all statutory duties of the County Road Engineer in compliance with CRAB Standards of Good Practice and applicable state laws.
• Administer, prioritize, and manage the County Road Fund, including revenue forecasting, budgeting, expenditures, and long-range financial planning.
• Develop and implement engineering standards, design criteria, and updates to County code, policies, and ordinances to improve organizational performance and compliance.
• Provide leadership for capital project planning, including preparation and delivery of the Annual Road Construction Program and the 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program.
• Oversee traffic safety programs, bridge inspection programs, and fish barrier removal efforts.
• Manage operations and maintenance programs to ensure a safe, reliable, and well-preserved county road system, including staff workloads, schedules, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Maintain a strong customer service focus for the community; serve as a visible and engaged County representative in public-facing settings.
• Interface regularly with the Board of County Commissioners, providing clear, accurate, and accessible information on engineering, transportation, and operational matters.
• Represent the Road Division and County on state, regional, and local committees.
• Provide executive-level leadership in developing departmental strategic goals, operational policies, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate leaders and staff; manage labor-related matters in alignment with collective bargaining agreements and County policies.
• Serve as a technical resource and trusted advisor on matters that may extend beyond direct supervisory authority, ensuring organizational alignment, consistency, and sound engineering practices.
• Build and prepare the Road Division workforce and organizational structure needed to support current operations and future transportation needs in a rapidly urbanizing environment.

Benefits

• This position is classified as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• As an "at will" employee, the County Road Engineer serves at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners and may have their appointment revoked at any time with or without cause and without right of appeal.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive