PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Salary: $164,502.00 - $190,703.00 Annually
Location : (City Hall) Poulsbo, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-00020
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


DESCRIPTION

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.

Summary
The Public Works Director, under the direction, supervision, and authority of the City Administrator, plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Public Works (Operations and Engineering) and Building Department including street maintenance and construction, storm drainage, wastewater and water utilities, engineering, traffic control, and transportation planning, building code compliance, and permits, parks and cemetery; to coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator. As a member of the City's Leadership Team, the position is expected to demonstrate and foster excellent communication skills and to actively and effectively engage in strategic planning and organizational development.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position receives general administrative direction from the City Administrator and exercises direct supervision of management, supervisory, technical, and clerical staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job Duties:

• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive public works program.
• Knowledge of the design and construction of public works projects.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public works administration.
• Knowledge of development review processes and land use principles.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of street maintenance, storm drainage, and traffic control.
• Knowledge of planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of municipal water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater infrastructure systems.
• Knowledge of water and sewer utility infrastructure, including asset management, system capacity analysis, regulatory compliance, capital improvement planning, and emergency response operations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of traffic planning.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of local budget preparation and administration.
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement concepts and their practical applications.
• Skill in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating public works programs and operations.
• Skill in managing capital improvement projects and public infrastructure initiatives.
• Skill in budget development, financial management, and resource allocation.
• Skill in analyzing complex operational and administrative issues and implementing effective solutions.
• Skill in building collaborative relationships with elected officials, regulatory agencies, developers, contractors, employees, and the public.
• Skill in preparing reports, presentations, and recommendations and communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide strategic leadership and direction for a comprehensive public works department.
• Ability to develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, engineering standards, and municipal policies.
• Ability to oversee multiple programs, projects, priorities, and resources simultaneously.
• Ability to supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate professional, technical, and operational staff.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions in complex and sensitive situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to represent the department before governing bodies, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to navigate changing leadership priorities and work collaboratively with diverse elected and appointed officials to achieve organizational goals.
• Ability to foster a culture of safety, accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to assume full management responsibility for a broad range of public works services and activities, including street maintenance and construction, storm drainage, wastewater and water utilities, cemetery operations, engineering services, traffic control, transportation planning, and building codes and permitting.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate departmental strategies, goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and programs to effectively meet organizational and community needs.
• Ability to lead and manage multiple operational functions simultaneously while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
• Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and continuously improve departmental performance measurement systems and tracking processes.
• Ability to analyze performance data and operational metrics to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend improvements.
• Ability to champion a culture of performance management, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the Department.
• Ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, and make sound decisions in a complex and dynamic operational environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, employees, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and the public regarding departmental programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve departmental and organizational objectives.

Working Environment:

• Work is mainly performed in an office setting with extensive work performed at a computer workstation and includes field and outdoor environments with uneven terrain.
• The environment includes a normal range of noise and other distractions with very low everyday risks working around standard office equipment.
• This position requires extensive reading and involves repetitive motion tasks.
• Attendance at meetings may require working evening hours.
• Duties require frequent interaction with employees, elected officials, contractors, regulatory agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Regular travel throughout the jurisdiction is required to inspect public infrastructure, construction projects, utility systems, facilities, and work sites.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, traffic, construction activities, noise, dust, vibration, and other conditions associated with public works operations may occur.
• Position may require attendance at evening meetings, public hearings, emergency operations, and community events.
• Must be available to respond to emergencies, natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and other incidents outside normal business hours.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to perform the physical activities necessary to carry out the essential functions of the position, including occasional lifting, carrying, bending, reaching, climbing, and walking over uneven terrain during field inspections and site visits.
• Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, climb, and lift or carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing administrative duties and using a computer.
• Ability to inspect construction projects, utility facilities, roadways, drainage systems, and other public infrastructure in a variety of environmental conditions.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through written correspondence.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and travel to various work sites throughout the service area.
• Observe and assess field conditions, read maps, plans, specifications, and technical documents, and distinguish colors and markings used in engineering and utility work.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Note:

1. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.
2. While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform this job successfully the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
3. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties required by their supervisor.
4. This document will be reviewed and updated yearly at time of employee performance appraisal, when position becomes vacant, or if position duties are changed significantly.

The City contributes 95% of the cost of medical/vision premiums and 100% of dental premiums. In 2025, the employee's cost is $84.73 per month for full family coverage. There is a $30,000 life insurance policy paid for by the City. Employees receive 11 paid holidays, 8 hours of sick leave accrual per month, and 200 hours of vacation accruals annually.


After six months of employment, employees receive one floating holiday; and after one year, two personal leave days are provided. Employees receive an additional 2% longevity pay after five years which increases every five years thereafter with a 6% maximum. This position is eligible for retirement benefits with the State of Washington's PERS System.
01


A completed application is required to be considered for this position. Resumes and cover letters cannot replace the application, but you may bring them to your interview if invited. Do you understand and agree?

• Yes
• No

02


Please briefly tell us why you want to work for the City of Poulsbo and specifically in this position.
03


Do you possess 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?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have at least 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?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have experience managing budgets, contracts, capital improvement projects, and personnel matters?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have a master's degree in public administration, business administration, or engineering?

• Yes
• No

07


Are you in possession of registration as a Professional Engineer?

• Yes
• No

Required Question