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PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - COUNTY ENGINEER

Kitsap County, WA

  • Kitsap County, WA
  • 30+ days ago

    Highlights

    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. 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.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationKitsap County, WA

    Description


    Kitsap County Public Works Department makes our communities better and safer places to live, work, and play.


    Join a mission-driven team shaping the future of transportation in one of Washington’s fastest-growing counties. 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.


    As the Public Works Assistant Director and County Engineer, you will:


    • 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.


    What You Bring 

    • Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field, and
    • 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


    Preferred Qualifications:

    • 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

    For the entire job description: https://www.kitsap.gov/hr/JobClassifications/Assistant%20Director%20-%20County%20Engineer.pdf
    To learn more about the department: Public Works - Kitsap County

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