Public Works Deputy Director

Under the general guidance and direction of the Public Works Director, the Deputy Director serves as a key department leader providing executive oversight of engineering and environmental programs. The Deputy Director is expected to use initiative, discretion and independent judgment, grounded in extensive knowledge of the departmental policies, procedures, standards, laws and public works operations to advance the goals of the department and city. 
The incumbent will also support city/department strategic planning, budgeting and implementation of all Public Works services. The incumbent will serve as acting Public Works Director in the event of the Director’s absence.

Why City of Lake Stevens?

• Work-Life Balance - We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual's lifestyle. 
• Flexible Work Schedules- The city offers a variety of work schedules to include potential hybrid/remote work dependent on meeting business necessities and supervisor approval. This position specifically will be working closely with the Public Works Director and other staff for training and project collaboration, where physical presence may be a necessity for the foreseeable future.
• Work Where you Live!

The City of Lake Stevens offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Retirement- through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Deferred Compensation- with city match.
• Excellent healthcare options- including medical, dental, vision insurance, city-paid life insurance and long-term disability, health savings accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA/VEBA).
• Paid leave- including paid sick leave, paid vacation, flexible holidays, paid holidays, and bereavement leave.
• Tuition reimbursement!
• See our benefits page for a complete list of all the benefits available to the City of Lake Stevens employees.

Why work for the Public Works Department?

The Public Works Department leadership team have established core values along with mission and vision statements for all employees. It is vital as we continuously improve and raise our standard of work that all employees understand and abide by a set of guidelines which provide a framework for a professionally engaged organization. It is important that candidates seeking employment within Public Works understand and are committed to these guidelines as you perform your duties.

Our Mission

We serve the Lake Stevens community by providing consistent maintenance and operations of City infrastructure through professional public works services, organizational excellence, and community interaction.

Our Vision

The Lake Stevens Public Works Department is a trusted, safety-minded, and qualified group of dedicated public works professionals. As a team, we work tirelessly to set the standard for public works operations and maintenance.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as the Public Works Director’s executive advisor on policy, regulations, data analyses, and practices related to engineering, environmental programs, and other assigned areas.
• Assists in overall department administration and serves as Acting Director in the Director’s absence.
• Leads Public Works staff by fostering a culture of trust, accountability, innovation, ownership, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Leads compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including NPDES, ADA and Title VI; monitors regulatory changes and industry trends affecting public works, engineering, and environmental programs.
• Develops and administers departmental policies and standard operating procedures that meet applicable laws and support APWA accreditation.
• Prepares and implements an annual work plan aligned with City and department strategic goals in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Communicates with the public, contractors, media and government agencies to receive complaints and suggestions, to provide information and explanation regarding city issues as necessary; coordinate customer service to assure the consistent, timely, and accurate processing of permits.
• Leads and supports the design, construction and related grant-funded contracts for capital improvement projects; reviews and approves plans, specifications, and bid documents; and oversees contract award, negotiations of change orders and payment approvals.
• Oversees stormwater utility rate evaluations and ensures compliance with related policies and procedures.
• Manages, trains, evaluates, and develops staff; oversees performance, discipline, hiring, and workload management.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures, including technological enhancements, to provide more efficient and timely services.
• Prepares and manages assigned budgets, including Capital improvement project budgets and grants; monitors expenditures, reviews and approves purchases, and provides forecasts and recommendations for staffing, equipment, and resource needs.
• Provides engineering guidance on development applications to ensure compliance with relevant engineering standards and regulations; oversees civil plan review and inspections of civil improvements and utilities, as assigned
• Prepares, maintains and supports a variety of long-term plans or programs for public infrastructure including, but not limited to, the Traffic Safety Plan, ADA Transition Plan, Pavement Preservation Plan, Traffic Calming Program, Stormwater Management Plan, Capital Improvement Plan and the Capital Facilities Plan in coordination with other affected departments and agencies.
• Maintains professional expertise by attending relevant conferences and seminars and enhances the City’s public presence by delivering polished presentations, leading sessions, and sharing the City's public works innovations with regional and professional audiences.
• Represents the City at City Council meetings, public meetings, committees, and other external forums
• Maintains reliable and predictable attendance.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Serves as Acting Public Works Director in their absence.
• Performs the duties of subordinate personnel as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Please see the attached questionnaire and below for position specific physical requirements and typical working conditions. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described in the attached form and below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.  
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The incumbent frequently is required Tosti for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
Work is performed in a typical office environment subject to working outside of normal working hours to meet critical timelines or to provide support in department emergency response events. While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is subject to multiple interruptions by telephones and walk-ins by employees, elected officials and citizens; may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This position often works conducts site visits in all types of terrain and weather conditions, including standing, sitting, and walking across rough terrain. 
Occasional travel is required. Evening or variable hours to attend meetings and respond to emergency incidents is required.Education, Training and Experience Guidelines
Education: Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree preferred, with major course work in public administration, engineering, environmental sciences, construction management or related field; and: Six (6) years increasingly responsible experience within public works engineering, operations or environmental programs including three (3) years of related supervisory or managerial experience;
Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications.

Examples of these skills include:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public works administration including but not limited to engineering, project management, consultant management, risk management, government regulations and grant administration.
• Principles and practices of funding processes in a local government environment as related to budgeting, cost accounting, financial planning and management.
• Broad understanding of federal, state, and local regulations including, but not limited to, occupational safety, Americans with Disabilities Act, Clean Water Act, National Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permits, property acquisition, MUTCD, PROWAG, WSDOT Standard Specifications, and Total Maximum Daily Limit (TMDL).
• Project management principles, encompassing the full lifecycle of initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closeout, with detailed responsibilities and deliverables defined for each phase.
• Tools and equipment used by the public works department, including field operations.
• Operation and understanding of computers and typical office equipment.
• Budget principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to municipal infrastructure.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of leadership, management and supervision, training, and performance management and change management.
• Principles and practices of professional services contract administration.
• Lean Management System or Six Sigma principles.
• Municipal organization, structure, policies, procedures, practices and objectives.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, including principles of business letter writing and report preparation.

Ability to: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, elected and appointed officials and City employees. 
• Maintain a customer service orientation, be courteous and diplomatic in the exchange of information and present a positive image of the City in a variety of circumstances.
• Communicate effectively and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, for large and small audiences.
• Create, execute, and report on departmental work plans.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Working effectively on several projects concurrently;
• Negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers.
• Develop, implement, and administer departmental goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Provide decisive, thoughtful leadership to an organization engaged in a diverse array of activities in a manner that empowers and instills confidence in department employees.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.  
• Read, analyze, and interpret various items such as technical documents, legal documents, operating and procedure manuals, general business periodicals, professional journals, government regulation.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems.
• Apply lean or six sigma principles to continuously improve processes, procedures and implement change management.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement through the responsible use of AI and automation.
• Demonstrate positive and effective interaction and communication with individuals of diverse social and economic backgrounds.
• Operate personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database software applications.
• Maintain confidentiality of business records and other information.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license and a driving record which meets the city’s requirements or must be able to obtain State of Washington driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Professional Engineer License in the State of Washington is preferred.
• American Public Works Association (APWA) Certified Public Works Professional– Management or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Successful completion of position-relevant background check.

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: 

• An attached resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached cover letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

The City of Lake Stevens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran’s status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.

There are no limitations to who's a best fit to serve this community. If we contact you for an interview and you need specific accommodations, please let us know.  We're happy to make the arrangements. We’ll need to know ten (10) days in advance to make sure we get you situated, so Human Resources at (425) 622-9422.  You're also welcome to mail your request to City of Lake Stevens Human Resources, P.O. Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258; or email to [email protected].