Director of Public Works

Under administrative direction of the City Manager, the Public Works & Utilities Director manages and directs the work of the Public Works and Utilities Department comprised of Engineering Services, Street Maintenance, Stormwater, Equipment Services, Water, and Wastewater systems including treatment plants, Electric Utility and Solid Waste services to include solid waste collections, transfer station, recycling, and landfill management.

• Provide the senior managers in Engineering, Power Systems and Operations the support, direction and guidance needed to ensure their divisions run smoothly. Make appropriate and timely decisions.
• Provide clear communication to staff, City Council and the public ensuring the appropriate people are aware of projects, correspondence, and other information necessary to perform their functions.
• Serve as technical advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and other departments on public works and operational activities.
• Work with citizen advisory committees and attend various governmental meetings, representing the department.
• With the assistance of the City Manager and Finance Department, assists in the priority setting process, and is responsible for monitoring and submitting items to the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Budget for the Public Works & Utilities Department.         
• Ensure contractor bid procedures and contract documents for public works projects and service contracts are done timely and appropriately.

The Ideal Candidate:

The Public Works & Utilities Director must have knowledge in public works and utilities operations and management, and be able to successfully and efficiently direct, manage and coordinate the activities of the various public works divisions. They must be able to assess the efficiencies of the department and its various divisions, and to adjust the internal management and reporting functions of the department and divisions to best assure smooth and efficient operations. It is essential the Director can communicate and correspond effectively with the City Council, City Manager, peers, subordinates, and the community. The next Director must provide leadership and direction in the form of support and guidance to subordinates and other city staff and be able to make decisions adequately and efficiently. The ideal candidate must have the capacity to encourage and maintain a healthy and productive work environment while taking into consideration the impacts on employee morale due to the changes in staffing and structure that the department is currently experiencing. 

Preferred Education and Experience:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in a field relevant to the responsibilities noted above. Master’s Degree is desirable.

Experience:  Five or more years working in a management position, preferably in public works. Experience working in a municipality is desired.

Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license at the time of appointment (or ability to obtain one within 30 days) and a driving record acceptable to the City. 

­­­Other qualifying experience will be evaluated that may substitute for the required education and experience listed above, which provides an equivalent balance of the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the job requirements. ­­­

Opportunities and Challenges:

• Achieving forward momentum on a backlog of capital projects.
• Ensuring infrastructure is ready and available to support new housing units in response to the community’s housing crisis.
• The Public Works & Utilities Department will have an opportunity to assist with over $58 million in infrastructure projects in 2024 which compliment over $184 million in planned investments over the next six years.
• The Elwha River is the city’s primary source for water – both drinking water and water for “industrial” uses. Through a lengthy process that drew international attention, the National Park Service between 2011 and 2014 removed two dams from the Elwha River. Removal of the dams was intended to restore fisheries and the ecosystem in the Elwha River Valley. It was acknowledged that adverse impacts to the city’s water system might occur; and in 1992 Congress enacted legislation that, among other things, required the National Park Service to protect the then existing quality and quantity of water available to the City. Since the dams have been removed, the City and the National Park Service have been in negotiations and recently, it was negotiated and agreed the City would take over the Elwha water facility August 15, 2018. The Elwha water facility supplies industrial water to one of the City’s biggest employers. The Public Works Department will be responsible for coming up with a long-term plan on how to operate the facility. 
• The Public Works & Utilities Director will play a vital role in coordinating and establishing intergovernmental agreements between the City and neighboring utility districts including water and power service agreements. 
• As with many cities in Washington State, Port Angeles has an aging infrastructure. It will be the responsibility of the Public Works & Utilities Director to work with staff to prepare a plan to strategically address aging infrastructure.
• Over the last few years there has been an increase in Washington State rules and regulations that have the ability to impact development in the local community. It will be the responsibility of the Director to ensure the Public Works & Utilities Department, in collaboration with the Deputy City Manager and the Community and Economic Development Department, achieve a customer first approach that implements those rules and regulations in a manner facilitating the success of our development community.

Compensation and Benefits:

$141,811.00 – $169,473.61 (DOQ) plus up to 3% deferred compensation employer matching contributions.

$12,500 Sign On Bonus 

Eligible for reimbursement up to $10,000 in relocation expenses.

• 13 paid holidays
• General leave bank
• Medical insurance (12.5% employee paid premium) 
• Employer contribution to Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Dental & Vision insurance 
• Health Care Offset 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life insurance – employer-paid premiums for $50,000 plan  
• Long term disability 
• Washington State Retirement System (PERS)
• 40 hours of management overtime given at the time of hire

Supplemental Questions

On a separate a separate document please answer the following supplemental questions and attach it to your resume.

1. As the Director of a department that consists of multiple utilities and services, how will you ensure external and internal customer service needs are being met?
2. Explain your leadership and communication style. How do you relay information to your subordinates? How do you relay information to your superiors?
3. What is your favorite aspect of Port Angeles? How does this position fit into your career goals?

How to Apply:

Please complete and submit the online application, along with a letter of interest and resume. Evaluation of all candidates will be based on desirable qualifications. Only those selected to receive an interview will be contacted.

• To view the job flyer, CLICK HERE.
• To complete the online employment application, CLICK HERE