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 growing community 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 serving our community with a variety of services. Public Works is dedicated to enhancing Clark County’s quality of life and continues to grow its reputation as a stable and innovative organization.

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. The ideal experience would include a thorough knowledge of public works infrastructures such as parks, fleet management, and storm water management with exposure to other areas such as transportation, engineering & construction, operations & maintenance, and public works safety and emergency management.

Qualifications

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

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.

Selection Process:

• If you wish to upload a resume or other documents: Resumes and documents must be attached together in the ‘Resume Upload’ section of the application.  Multiple files are allowed, but all applicant attachments must be uploaded simultaneously, as there is no way to edit or append uploaded materials after submitting the application.
• Application Review (Pass/Fail) – An online application is required.  Attaching a resume does not substitute for a completed application; incomplete applications will not pass the application review.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
• Practical Exam (Pass/Fail) – This recruitment may require a practical exam which will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Candidates deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in the remainder of the selection process.
• Oral Interview – The interview will be job related and may include, but not be limited to, the qualifications outlined in the job announcement.  Top candidate(s) will continue in the process.
• Employment References will be conducted for the final candidates and may include verification of education.
• It is the general policy of the County that new employees should be hired at the lower steps of the applicable range and advance through the range at the normal progression.

The first review of applications will be June 14th. This recruitment may close at any time on or after the first review date.

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 execution of Capital Improvement Programs. 

• 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 professional and technical staff for work related to public works activities and infrastructure maintenance within the county.  

• 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 the 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

M2.207

Salary Range

$9,881.00 - $14,327.00- per month

For complete job announcement, application requirements, and to apply on-line (applications on external sites are not monitored), please visit our website at:

https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources/explore-careers-clark-county