Public Works Operations Manager

Public Works Operations Manager

This position is open until filled. The first review of applications will be August 17, 2026. To be considered in this review you must apply prior to this date.

Under the direction of the Public Works Director, the incumbent will manage, plan, organize and coordinate the Public Works Operations Division to meet the departmental standards and City priorities. Incumbent must work with the Field Supervisors to plan maintenance and project work with consideration of risk, resources, public safety, crew capability and budget. Incumbent will be responsible for following standard operating procedures and safety protocols while ensuring training standards are met and compliance with local, state, and federal laws are maintained.

Work is characterized as primarily management, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities for the Public Works Operations Division. Work will include establishing and adaptively managing work programs, procedures, and policies for the division. The incumbent is also expected to provide support in establishing the departmental budget to ensure equipment, facilities and crew safety are maintained to the department standard. Work will primarily occur in an office setting with periodic trips into the field.

Lake Stevens is a vibrant and growing community with a population of over 42,000 residents. Lake Stevens is generally a residential community with access to numerous commercial, retail and recreational opportunities. Of course, the crown jewel of the community is the lake itself, which boasts some of the greatest water recreational opportunities in the county. Lake Stevens is also uniquely situated, being close to the lake, ocean, and Cascade mountains, to take advantage of many outdoor activities. The Lake Stevens Schools are excellent and coupled with a city priority of parks and increased walkability, makes Lake Stevens an ideal place to raise a family.

The City of Lake Stevens operates under the mayor-council system. The city's motto, "One Community Around the Lake", embodies our quality of life, top-ranked school district, and the City Council's commitment to providing excellent services and amenities for its residents.

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.

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.

Do you enjoy managing field crews and overseeing operational excellence? Do the Public Works' team values and ground rules resonate with you? Then apply and join our team at the City of Lake Stevens! This position plays a critical role by overseeing the operations side of the Public Works department, consisting of the Streets, Facilities, and Storm Division.

Supervision Exercised: Exercise leadership and supervision of Public Works Operations Division employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as technical advisor to the Public Works Director, on matters of policy, practice, and impacts of regulations relating to area of responsibility.
• Prepare an annual work plan that includes financial, organizational, and human resource elements that aligns with the strategic plan and goals of the City and Department.
• Evaluate program policy and practices; define problem areas; develop and direct policies and practices to improve operations.
• Plan long and short-range goals for the Operations Division and provide effective leadership to achieve the goals; develop division wide policies and procedures for field and personnel issues.
• Lead a team of public works professionals by establishing an empowered culture that focuses on trust, process improvement, accountability, ownership, pride, and responsibility.
• Adaptively manage the division's performance and provide organizational and management direction to fulfill the department's goals and objectives.
• Delegate fieldwork and other work within the Division to ensure maintenance and project requirements are met.
• Establish a safety program for the Division in compliance with laws, regulations, and occupational safety guidelines; ensure Division compliance of the safety procedures and protocols.
• Establish protocols and procedures for emergency events (snow/ice, flooding, natural disasters, etc.); work with the Risk Manager to ensure Division staff are trained and equipped for emergencies.
• Clearly communicate to Division staff requirements for maintenance and projects to ensure results are consistent and meet the City standard.
• Interview, train, and hire employees; plan, assist, direct, and evaluate work in progress and upon completion; appraise performance; recommend promotion and disciplinary actions; address complaints; resolve problems; approve/schedule sick leave and vacation time; and recommend terminations as appropriate; review and resolve labor grievances and issues; participate with management in the labor contract negotiation process.
• Conduct regular staff meetings with Public Works Operations Team.
• Communicate with and provide information to City personnel, outside agencies, and the public regarding the Operations Division programs and practices.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all city departments, co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, customers, citizens, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and elected officials.
• Ensure compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Employee Handbook and Local/State/Federal Laws in all duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: Please see the job description for position specific physical requirements and typical working conditions. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described in the attached form 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. Evening or variable hours to attend meetings will be required.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines Education: High school diploma or GED is required. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited educational institution is highly preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible Public Works operation and maintenance, including roadway design and construction management experience, or experience in the construction industry; and a minimum of two (2) years in a management/supervisory capacity. Experience working with large construction and maintenance projects is preferred.

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.

Knowledge of: Current trends, principles, and practices of Public Works operations and maintenance. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. Municipal organization structure, policies, procedures, practices, and objectives. Municipal budget preparation and administration techniques. Methods, equipment, and materials used in Public Works and Parks operations and maintenance. Lean Management System or Six Sigma principles. Modern office equipment and procedures including, but not limited to, the use of a personal computer. Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Excel, Asset management practices including familiarity with asset management software Geospatial mapping software such as ArcGIS or equivalent Oral and written communications utilizing correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation, including principles of business letter writing and report preparation. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Modern management and supervisory theories, principles, and practices. Effective research methods. How AI and emerging technologies can be leveraged to improve departmental operations, service delivery, and decision-making.

Ability to: Establish and maintain trust, confidence, and effective working relationships with subordinates, other city officials, and the general public; effectively interact with tact, patience, and courtesy. Plan, direct and control the operations and functions assigned to the position. Read, analyze, and interpret various items such as technical documents, financial reports, legal documents, operating and procedure manuals, general business periodicals, professional journals, government regulations. Apply lean or six sigma principles to continuously improve processes, procedures and implement change management. Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; apply common sense understanding to solve practical problems. Interpret and apply applicable federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations. Communicate complex technical information, both verbally and in writing to the Mayor, City Council, City Administrator, Public Works Director, subordinates, co-workers, and the general public in a manner that facilitates understanding and decision-making. Plan,