Public Works Assistant Director - County Engineer

Join a mission-driven team shaping the future of transportation in one of Washington’s fastest-growing counties. Kitsap County Public Works is seeking a dynamic Public Works Assistant Director and County Engineer with exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. This executive-level position leads transportation planning, roads engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance programs for a diverse and rapidly evolving community.

As the Public Works Assistant Director and County Engineer, you will:
-Lead and manage the Road Division, including Roads Engineering, Transportation/Traffic Operations, and Road Maintenance—approximately 150 full-time staff with a $40+ million annual budget.
-Demonstrate the ability to effectively coordinate and collaborate across departments, providing consistent guidance on traffic review processes and other engineering functions.
-Fulfill all statutory duties of the County Road Engineer in compliance with CRAB Standards of Good Practice and applicable state laws.
-Administer, prioritize, and manage the County Road Fund, including revenue forecasting, budgeting, expenditures, and long-range financial planning.
-Develop and implement engineering standards, design criteria, and updates to County code, policies, and ordinances to improve organizational performance and compliance.
-Provide leadership for capital project planning, including preparation and delivery of the Annual Road Construction Program and the 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program.
-Oversee traffic safety programs, bridge inspection programs, and fish barrier removal efforts.
-Manage operations and maintenance programs to ensure a safe, reliable, and well-preserved county road system, including staff workloads, schedules, priorities, and performance expectations.
-Maintain a strong customer service focus for the community; serve as a visible and engaged County representative in public-facing settings.
-Interface regularly with the Board of County Commissioners, providing clear, accurate, and accessible information on engineering, transportation, and operational matters.
-Represent the Road Division and County on state, regional, and local committees.
-Provide executive-level leadership in developing departmental strategic goals, operational policies, and cross-departmental coordination.
-Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate leaders and staff; manage labor-related matters in alignment with collective bargaining agreements and County policies.
-Serve as a technical resource and trusted advisor on matters that may extend beyond direct supervisory authority, ensuring organizational alignment, consistency, and sound engineering practices.
-Build and prepare the Road Division workforce and organizational structure needed to support current operations and future transportation needs in a rapidly urbanizing environment.

What You Bring:
-Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field, and
-Ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in engineering, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of public or private transportation facilities
-Four years of senior management experience overseeing engineering, operations, and/or maintenance personnel
-Licensed as a Washington State Professional Engineer (PE), or currently in the process of securing Washington State comity
-Demonstrated excellence in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and community engagement

Preferred Qualifications:
-Master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field
-Experience with Washington State CRAB Standards of Good Practice
-Experience with WSDOT Local Agency Guidelines and WSDOT Standard Specifications for engineering and construction

For the entire job description: https://www.kitsap.gov/hr/JobClassifications/Assistant%20Director%20-%20County%20Engineer.pdf

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a pension retirement, and other voluntary benefits are offered.