Assistant Director of Public Works - Regulatory & Environmental Programs

Assistant Director Of Public Works – Regulatory & Environmental Programs

Advance Priorities. Align Efforts. Deliver Results.

The County of Marin is seeking a strategic, politically astute executive to serve as its next Assistant Director of Public Works – Regulatory & Environmental Programs. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for aligning critical regulatory, environmental, and community-focused programs with Countywide projects and initiatives. The next Assistant Director will drive cross-functional alignment, integrate systems, and elevate how Marin delivers on infrastructure, climate resilience, and equitable services.

Marin County is at a pivotal moment. Climate change, housing pressures, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulatory requirements demand more integrated, strategic leadership. This role is central to that transformation—connecting programs that have historically operated independently and aligning them with the County's highest priorities. The next Assistant Director will help shape how Marin County delivers smarter, more coordinated, and more impactful public services for years to come.

The executive oversees a diverse and influential portfolio of programs:

• Land Development & Engineering Permits Enabling safe, compliant, and efficient development that supports housing, infrastructure, and community vitality.
• Countywide Disability Access (Americans with Disability Act and California Title 24) Advancing equitable access to programs, services, and facilities across all County departments.
• County Waste Management & Zero Waste Marin Joint Powers Authority Driving sustainability, waste reduction, and climate action through countywide policy and partnerships.
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs Ensuring Clean Water Act compliance while protecting Marin's creeks, bays, and watersheds.
• Integrated Water Resources Program Leading development of a brand-new countywide program to strategically connect wet utility operations with flood resilience, watershed health, and climate adaptation.

To bridge organizational boundaries, you will:

• Embed regulatory and environmental programs into capital planning and delivery, including the Countywide Capital Improvement Program.
• Align programs with the County's highest priority projects and initiatives.
• Strengthen regional partnerships with cities, towns, and joint powers authorities.
• Modernize systems, processes, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Executive Leader | Systems Thinker | Trusted Partner

You are a seasoned public sector leader who understands how to translate complex regulatory and environmental programs into meaningful community outcomes.

You bring:

• Strategic Integration Skills – Ability to connect programs, policies, and capital investments into cohesive systems.
• Political Acumen – Experience working with elected officials, boards, and diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational Leadership – Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and complex portfolios.
• Regulatory Expertise – Knowledge of California Environmental Quality Act, stormwater permits, environmental compliance, and land development processes.
• Partnership Mindset – Skilled at building trust across agencies, jurisdictions, and communities.
• Change Leadership – Track record of aligning people, processes, and priorities to successfully implement strategic initiatives and deliver measurable results.

You will excel if you can:

• See both the big picture and operational details.
• Navigate complexity with sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Align technical programs with policy, equity, and community goals.
• Advance work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, aligning perspectives and maintaining momentum.
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership and management, including program development, implementation, and evaluation; goal setting; project management; personnel management; budget development management; and contract and grant negotiation and management.
• Civil engineering and construction design and management principles and practices.
• Land use, project design and construction and demographic, environmental and socio-economic concepts as applied to public works planning and operations.
• State and federal laws and regulations related to public agency construction and maintenance programs including highways and flood control projects.
• Basic principles and practices of facility and stationary engineering, installation, repair, and maintenance, among others related to assigned divisions.
• Applicable laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, and evaluate the functions of a variety of public works divisions; delegate and provide day-to-day administrative direction to supervisory staff.
• Develop, recommend, and implement goals, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide effective direct and indirect supervision of staff.
• Interpret, explain, and apply complex federal, state, and local laws related to the areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including representatives of other County departments, agencies, private contractors, engineers, architects, and with the public.
• Identify with and assist in implementing the overall objectives of the department as determined by departmental policies and directives.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within policy and procedural guidelines.
• Prioritize work, coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
• Make effective oral presentations and represent the County in meetings with other departments and organizations.
• Analyze and review staff reports and recommendations.
• Prepare and/or direct the preparation of accurate, concise, and effective technical and non-technical reports, policies, procedures, correspondence, and other materials.
• Direct the maintenance of accurate records and files.

Minimum Qualifications

The Department of Public Works offers two Assistant Director of Public Works – Regulatory & Environmental Programs classifications: one requiring a valid California Civil Professional Engineering (PE) license and one that does not. Applicants will be evaluated against both sets of minimum qualifications, and the selected candidate will be appointed to the classification they qualify for. This approach considers a wide range of experience public works professionals while matching qualifications to the appropriate role.

Assistant Director of Public Works

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills. A typical way to qualify is graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in business or public administration, management, engineering, planning or a closely related field and five years of experience, which included experience in an assignment related to the work and two years of supervisory, management or administrative experience.

Assistant Director of Public Works - Engineering

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills. A typical way to qualify is graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a closely related field and five years of engineering experience which included two years of supervisory, management, or administrative experience. Certificates and Licenses Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.

Special Requirements

Candidates for this classification may be required to successfully pass a background investigation including fingerprint and criminal history evaluation.