Public Works Director job in Des Moines

We are searching for a proven leader that can build strategic partnerships locally and regionally, who is ready to take on a multifaceted role as the Public Works Director for The Waterland City of Des Moines Washington. This position will be involved with several multi-million dollar projects that are underway for the city to include:

• Highway 509 Puget Sound Gateway Project with the DOT.
• The Des Moines Marina Steps Project.
• Sound Transit Link Light Rail Extension Project.
• City Parks Equipment Improvement Program.
• Rebuilding the City of Des Moines Marina Bulkhead, Landslide and Water Redevelopment.
• Reconstruction of the Redondo Fishing Pier.

Des Moines is located on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, midway between Seattle and Tacoma. It blends with waterfront living and the convenience of metropolitan access being 5 miles south of SeaTac airport and on the Sound Transit Link Light Rail route. The combination of water, flight and light rail intersecting thru the city make the work and position unique from other cities.

This role requires a high-level of comfort working not only with elected officials, local businesses and vendors but also with day to day City staff across all departments to achieve set goals and outcomes. This can include mentoring all levels of staff and performing routine duties to lead by example.

To learn more about the essential functions and more details about the position, please see the complete Public Works Director job description here.

Some recent Public Works awards the department and city our proud of:

• APWA and ACEC Project of the Year Awards for the Saltwater Seismic Retrofit Project
• APWA Project of the Year Award for the Redondo Boardwalk Replacement Project
• ACEC Project of the Year Award for the North Marina Bulkhead and Restroom Replacement Project

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE: The City of Des Moines offers a competitive and robust benefits package to include:

• Washington state retirement plan-PERS
• 401(a) tax deferred account and 457 deferred compensation, which includes an employer contribution for both accounts
• Forty (40) vacation hours and forty (40) sick leave hours front loaded at time of hire
• Paid vacation and sick leave with up to fourteen (14) paid holidays per year
• Four (4) different medical plan options to choose from
• Employer paid vision and dental plan
• Long term disability, life insurance and much more
• HRA and HRA-Veba plans funded with contributions from the City

Closing Date

Open until filled. First review of applications on February 12, 2024.

To Apply

Complete the online application at https://desmoineswa.applicantpro.com/jobs/and attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements.

Nature of Work

Under the general direction of the City Manager, this position plans, organizes, controls and directs the activities, services, operations, budgets, and policy formulation of the City's infrastructure and public works functions including engineering and transportation services, traffic engineering, utilities, capital project management, development review, and maintenance of City streets, surface water management systems, City-owned buildings, fleet, and parks. The director allocates personnel and resources to optimize departmental efficiency and effectiveness; supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from college or university with a degree in civil engineering or a closely related field; and
• Six years' upper-management experience in administering complex municipal public works, engineering, utilities, budgets and community development.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities, will be considered qualifying.

Special Requirements

• Registration in the State of Washington as a professional engineer in civil engineering.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Driver's License with a good driving record.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background and criminal history check.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.

Working Conditions and Demands

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting. Attendance at night meetings is required. Occasional travel to off-site locations is required. Hand-eye coordination and fine-manipulation skills are necessary to operate computers and a variety of office machinery. The position also requires the ability to speak and hear to exchange information, the ability to sit for extended periods of time, and the ability to bend and stretch to retrieve and maintain files and records. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and all qualified applicants, including all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.
• In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability. In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that an accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment