Job Details

Deputy Public Works Director

This posting will remain open until filled. If needed our second review of applications will be on August 10, 2026. To be included in this review you must apply prior to this date.

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.

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 to sit 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.

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines:

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.
• Knowledge of 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.
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