Deputy Director Public Works

Job Summary

Clark County is a vibrant community with approximately 500,000 residents on the Columbia River between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Clark County is a community with a proud past and promising future that offers affordable living, quality schools, excellent outdoor recreation, and renowned scenery.

Clark County Public Works is one of the county’s largest departments made up of several divisions. Public Works is dedicated to enhancing Clark County’s quality of life by providing transportation, environmental and parks facilities and services.

Public Works is looking for an experienced professional to fill a key leadership role as the Deputy Director. This is a highly responsible senior management position reporting to the Public Works Director and is charged with managing significant elements within the Director’s purview such as the Clean Water and Parks & Lands divisions, either directly or through intermediate managers, as well as cross-organizational support to County Roads and capital project delivery.

The Clark County community treasures its parks and clean water:

• The Parks & Lands Division envisions a Clark County rich in natural resources, parklands, and open spaces which serve to sustain and support our local community, economy, and quality of life. Parks & Lands aims to deliver on this vision with an average capital budget of $18.1M/year and an operating budget of $19.8M/year.

• The Clean Water Division serves to safeguard and enhance the quality of our streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater and comply with the federal Clean Water Act and state regulations. This is achieved through an average capital budget of $1.7M/year and an operating budget of $7.5M/year.

The ideal candidate:

• Can navigate high profile engagements on matters of great public interest and with County Council
• Can demonstrate a history of leading agencies through workflow standardization and/or accreditation
• Is capable of long- and short-term strategic planning for resource and funding needs
• Can strategically manage focused and effective communications
• Possesses the humility to rely on their subject matter experts
• Possesses technical and problem-solving competencies to support project teams, maintenance staff, and program managers

Applications will be accepted until an adequate number of applications are received.

First published February 1st, 2023.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Planning, Public Administration, or other related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible expertise in the management of Public Works programs and services.
• A master’s degree in public administration, civil engineering or a related field is highly desirable.
• Highly desirable to this position is a thorough knowledge of public works infrastructures such as parks and lands, clean water programs and stormwater management and the interface with stakeholders for communication in these areas.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Washington preferred
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license required
• All combinations of education, experience, and training that demonstrate the ability to perform the work will be considered.

Knowledge of: the principles and practices of public administration as applied to public works functions; principles and practices of parks and lands management, clean water program activities, stakeholder communications and interfacing; Federal, State and County standards applicable to public works program implementation; principles and practices of human resources and financial management; public property, roadway and right-of way maintenance practices and techniques.

Ability to: effectively fulfill the key responsibilities of the position as listed above; exercise sound judgment in the independent development of solutions to complex technical, administrative and managerial problems; direct and coordinate the inspection, negotiation and control of the work of private contractors; plan and utilize current technology in addressing personal and division responsibilities; communicate and express ideas effectively, orally and in writing; work responsively with community and business groups and group activists representing a wide variety of interests; effectively and collaboratively balance competing interests and approaches.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide strong leadership for all employees in support of Public Works. 

• Serve as the Public Works Director when appointed in their absence.  

• Support the development and implementation of Capital Improvement Programs. 

• Direct public and stakeholder communications and coordination efforts.  

• Participate in and support the update of department standards as needed based on best practices and applicable guidance.  

• Identify and resolve issues related to leadership and communication both internal and external to the department.  

• Ensure completion of division annual workplans and make process improvements to efficiency and effectiveness.  

• Review data from assigned divisions and sections to monitor program performance; make business improvements using program performance data to ensure that public works activities maintain a continuous improvement focus. 

• Provide leadership and direction to administrative and technical staff for work related to public works properties and assets.  

• Develop, review, and approve program performance reports and financial reports, ensuring timeliness of delivery and accuracy of data.  

• Oversee the creation of training, onboarding, succession, and continuing education plans for assigned programs and divisions. 

• Conceptualize and develop strategic plans, goals, and objectives for public works programs.  

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of critical stakeholders including federal, state and local agencies, business and community organizations, and internal partners.  

• Adhere to professional ethics standards in performing all functions of the role and ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and best practices standards.   

• Perform special departmental administrative and management tasks as assigned. 

Salary Grade

M2.836

Salary Range

$8,706.00 - $12,299.00- per month