Public Works Director

City of Poulsbo • (City Hall) Poulsbo, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lead with Purpose. Serve with Impact. Join a city that values its people and invests in building a supportive, high-performing workplace. As the Public Works Director for the City of Poulsbo, you’ll work closely with the City Administrator and Public Works Team Leaders to guide delivery of essential public services for more than 13,000 residents. You’ll be leading a diverse team of professionals across operations (35 FTE which includes utilities and parks), engineering (12 FTE), streets and facilities, and building services (4 FTE), which plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing infrastructure that supports our growing community. This position is responsible for managing enterprise funds with $18 million in annual revenue from service and connection fees and overseeing the delivery of an $80 million capital program. You will help shape the City’s long-term vision through strategic planning and capital improvement initiatives while fostering collaboration across departments and with our community partners. Your efforts will make a lasting impact on the quality of life for our residents and visitors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, construction management, business administration, public administration or a closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of public works management experience, such as a City Engineer or Assistant Public Works Director or other applicable public-sector agency of similar or greater complexity and size which also included at least five (5) years of management experience.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, capital improvement projects, and personnel matters.
• Any equivalent combination of experience and education maybe considered.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, or engineering.
• Possession of registration as a Professional Engineer is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assume full management responsibility for all department operations, programs, services, and activities including street maintenance and construction, storm drainage, wastewater and water utilities, cemetery, engineering, traffic control, transportation planning and building codes and permits.
• Direct the development, implementation, and administration of departmental strategies, goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the department's performance measurement framework and tracking system; monitor operational effectiveness, evaluate outcomes, and serve as the department's principal advocate for improved performance management.
• Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level staff, the Public Works Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Assure the effective maintenance of streets, lighting, sewer, water, and storm drainage systems, traffic systems and public grounds, including parks and rights-of-way.
• Negotiate and administer contracts with outside agencies for City services as required; ensure adherence to contract guidelines.
• Coordinate the environmental review of design, construction and maintenance functions, drainage and land use issues, transportation planning, and growth management.
• Administer City capital improvement programs.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct performance deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and lead the development and administration of the Department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Manage development of functional plans for the enterprise funds, include rate studies and connection fee evaluation.
• Oversee the financial health of the department.
• Explain, justify and defend Department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serve as a member of the emergency response team for the city.
• Represent the Public Works Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Administrator; participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public works.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

What This Job Offers

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