PUBLIC WORKS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – COUNTY ENGINEER

Job Description

Kitsap County Public Works Department makes our communities better and safer places to live, work, and play.

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.

The ideal candidate will be an agile, collaborative, and service-oriented leader skilled at building relationships, guiding teams through change, and representing the County with professionalism in high-visibility settings. The role requires strong technical expertise paired with the ability to coordinate effectively across departments, communicate complex topics to non-engineers, and engage with the public and elected officials with clarity and confidence.

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
To learn more about the department: Public Works – Kitsap County

This position is open until filled.
The first review is scheduled for the week of  June 22, 2026 and then weekly!