Deputy Public Works Director/Assistant City Engineer

Deputy Public Works Director/Assistant City Engineer

Salary

$172,224.00 - $230,808.00 Annually

Location

6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-00029

Department

PUBLIC WORKS

Division

ENGINEERING

Opening Date

05/14/2026

Closing Date

6/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Tukwila is seeking an experienced, dedicated, and forward-thinking Deputy Public Works Director / Assistant City Engineer to join our leadership team. Under the general direction of the Public Works Director, this position provides high level management, strategic direction, and operational leadership to the Engineering Division, including the capital improvement and environmental compliance programs.

The Deputy Director leads a team of engineers, inspectors, project managers, and supervisors; ensures high-quality project delivery; strengthens staff capabilities through coaching and professional development; and ensures compliance with City, state, and federal regulations. This position also serves as the Acting Public Works Director in the Director's absence, providing continuity of leadership and decision-making for the Department.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader committed to public service, organizational improvement, and developing an empowered and skilled engineering workforce.

About Tukwila

The City of Tukwila is 9.6 square miles of opportunity and a dynamic place to work. The population is over 22,000 at night and up to 150,000+ during the day. Tukwila shares borders with the Cities of Seattle, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, and Kent. Its central location lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17miles north of downtown Tacoma, and just east of SeaTac Airport. It is easily accessed by I-5 and I-405 or via either of Tukwilas two train stations, the Sounder Station or the Sound Transit Light Rail Station.

Our Mission:

To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting, healthy environment for our residents, businesses and guests.

Our Values:

Caring - We support the diverse community we serve with compassion, empathy and kindness.

Professional - We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and act with integrity and transparency. We are respectful and courteous with all.

Responsive - We are timely and effective in the delivery of great customer service. We continually strive to find innovative ways to improve.

About the Public Works Department: Public Works provides the foundation for high quality of life in Tukwila by protecting the health and safety of residents, visitors, and businesses. The Department is responsible for design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the Citys essential transportation, water, sewer, and surface water infrastructure. Public Works also supports other divisions through the management and maintenance of the Citys vehicles and facilities assets.

Position Description: Under the general guidance and direction of a Department Director, performs a variety of managerial, supervisory, professional, and administrative work in planning, organizing and coordinating the overall activities of the Engineering Division which includes public street, water, sewer, storm drainage, bridge and miscellaneous public projects; engineering studies and reports; and maintenance of all public plans, maps, and as-builts. This role provides critical leadership to our three engineering teams spanning utilities, transportation, and environmental compliance. Crucially, this position serves as Acting Department Director in the Directors absence.

Salary Range:

$14,352 - $19,234 per month.

Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range.

How To Apply: Initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "education" and "work experience" section of your application in Government Jobs website, along with your cover letter. In order to be considered for this position you MUST apply online and complete the entire application for considerations. Please attach onto your online application:

• Attach Cover letter
• Attach Chronological resume

Veteran's Preference

Veterans Preference is available in accordance with state laws. Attach DD214 or NGB Form 22 for eligibility.

Selection Process

The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

This selection process may include but is not limited to evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing, and interviewing. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at humanresources@tukwilawa.gov.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates Engineering Division operations; implements policies, procedures, programs, and directives.
• Leads long-range planning, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts for departmental and citywide goals.
• Oversees engineering design, project development, and construction of public infrastructure including streets, water, sewer, stormwater, flood control structures, and bridges.
• Reviews scopes, plans, specifications, reports, and design documents; ensures compliance with City, state, and federal codes and standards.
• Guides the development and implementation of the City's long-range Capital Improvement Program.
• Oversees preparation, management, and forecasting of the division budget; allocates resources and identifies equipment and program needs.
• Coordinates with other departments, elected officials, regional agencies, and external partners; negotiates and resolves complex and sensitive issues.
• Represents the City at governmental meetings, committees, commissions, and public events.
• Administers state and federal grants and special funding for capital projects.
• Develops ordinances, policies, methodologies, and engineering standards; serves as subject-matter expert and dispute resolution authority for construction and engineering issues.
• Provides coaching, mentoring, training, performance evaluation, and discipline for subordinate employees; builds staff capability and supports career development.
• Reviews and recommends approval or denial of infrastructure plans, permits, development proposals, franchise agreements, and other engineering-related submissions.
• Supports emergency operations related to infrastructure and utilities; assists with post-event restoration programs.
• Serves as Acting Public Works Director during the Director's absence.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry):

• Principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and equipment related to the field;
• General municipal operations and structure;
• Applicable codes, laws, City ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations;
• Budgeting principles and processes; and
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation;

SKILLS (position requirements at entry):

• Guiding, directing and motivating employees;
• Ability to evaluate highly complex technical reports;
• Exercising sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions;
• Establishing and maintaining working relationships with City personnel, outside agencies, and the general public;
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Developing and implementing programs, policies, and/or procedures to achieve specific goals and objectives;
• Ability to use ERSI ArcMap software.

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

• ABET accredited Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering or a related field and

• Seven years of engineering experience including five years of supervisory responsibility

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience to provide sufficient evidence of the successful performance of the essential elements of the job such as those listed above.

• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) within the State of Washington;

• If registered in another state, must obtain Washington State registration within six (6) months of hire.

• A valid drivers license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional certification
• Local government knowledge and experience
• Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Process Improvement training

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, mobility, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing, climbing, crawling, and walking.

The City of Tukwila offers a comprehensive benefit package to all regular full-time and part-time employees and their eligible dependents, including domestic partners (DP) and their dependents (a tax penalty applies to the DP portion of the premium). Part-time employees pay a pro-rated share of the premium. Medical Employees have the option of choosing from the Citys self-insured plan that is administered by Healthcare Management Administrators (HMA) and is part of the Regence Preferred Provider network; or Kaiser Permanente, an HMO, for medical and prescription coverage. Dental The dental plan is provided through the Citys self-insured plan (HMA) and covers preventative, basic, and restorative services to an annual maximum of $2,000. An incentive level applies to these services ranging from 70% to 100% coverage. Orthodontia is available for dependent children to age 19.

01

Do you hold a valid Professional Engineer's license in Washington state?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have supervising technical staff?

03

How many years of experience do you have managing capital projects?

04

How many years of experience do you have managing public works and A/E contracts in Washington state?

Required Question

Employer City of Tukwila

Address 6200 Southcenter Boulevard

Tukwila, Washington, 98188

Phone (206) 433-1831

Website http://www.tukwilawa.gov