Director of Public Works

Salary: $113,779.32 - $152,682.24 Annually Location : 525 W. Cota St., Shelton, WA Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2026-11 Department: Public Works Opening Date: 05/12/2026 Description This position provides executive level management oversight of a comprehensive Public Works program including Engineering, Water Distribution, Water Quality, Wastewater Treatment, Biosolids, Wastewater Collection, Stormwater, Streets, and the Equipment Maintenance and Rental fund. Participates in all collaborative public engagement strategies and effective community outreach efforts for Public Works initiatives. Serves as a key role of the management team in advising the City Manager, other departments and City Council on all city matters. Located just 30 minutes northwest of Olympia on the shores of Oakland Bay, the Shelton community is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Shelton is a gateway to the spectacular Olympic Peninsula where residents and visitors alike enjoy the numerous outdoor sports and recreational opportunities. As the Mason county seat, Shelton is a full service city that provides wide range of municipal services and includes 6.11 square miles and 10,700 residents.Become part of our exceptional community! The City of Shelton values employees who are adaptable, innovative, collaborative and hold themselves to the highest standard of integrity and excellence in the spirit of public service. First review of applications will be June 4, 2026. Please attach a cover letter, resume, and transcripts to your application. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Organize and direct public works activities to optimize the use of financial, physical and personnel resources; develop departmental goals, objectives and plans for public works systems. Oversee the private development and city capital project review processes to ensure the fair, consistent, and timely implementation of code and engineering design standards for all projects; managing projects with time sensitive deadlines, challenging situations, and monetary budget constraints. Prepare, review, and approve the annual department budget involving capital expenditures, personnel, and operating costs and revenues; monitor the status of the budget and make recommendations for adjustments to the budget throughout the budget year; includes assisting the Finance Director with forecasting, cost analyses, rate studies, financial performance audits and reports. Oversee engineering functions; review and approve technical plans, drawings, papers, reports and specifications; interpret technical materials; direct construction, maintenance and project management efforts. Lead, manage and act as a mentor for a diverse group of engineering, professional, technical operators, field workers, and administrative staff in the accomplishment of wide-ranging municipal public works functions. Oversee development of appropriate policies, procedures, and plans to ensure the successful completion of public works operations and projects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and maintain accurate records of project costs, revenues, and progress. Study major public works issues and report to the City Manager and City Council with recommendations for change in areas of special concern or needing improvement. Coordinate Public Works department activities with other departments, jurisdictions, and agencies. Attend City Council and a wide range of other public meetings related to public works activities and projects; and speak on public works topics with the City Council and the public. Respond to citizen requests and concerns related to public works activities, addressing complaints and resolving problems. Set long and short range goals for the department, identify major objectives, and evaluate staff performance in the accomplishment of these criteria. Assist department and other city staff by providing financial, engineering and public works expertise and regulatory guidance as it relates to their area of operation. Foster a positive and safe work environment among all public works staff based on respect, integrity, fairness, and teamwork. Oversee the preparation of applications and administer federal and state grants for capital improvement programs; ensures coordination of city grant compliance with the granting agency requirements. Attend and participate in professional group meetings maintaining an awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to this position; incorporates new developments as appropriate and ensures related process, policies and practices are applied consistently and effectively. Provide leadership and knowledge on emergency response/emergency operations and recovery activities. With professional integrity, establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Manager, City Council, and City staff as well as neighboring jurisdictions, external agencies, and the public. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Qualifications/Requirements To perform this job successfully, the person in this position must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Successful candidates shall have a bachelor's degree in public administration, civil engineering, finance, construction management, or related fields; or can demonstrate an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training to perform the duties described. Extensive experience with supervision of employees and working knowledge of public works administration and operations to include street, municipal water, wastewater treatment, and storm drain and sanitary sewer conveyance systems. Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, laws and regulations governing the operation of a public works department, as well as a high level of management skill in analyzing programs, policies, and operational needs Knowledge of principles and practices of various engineering disciplines related to the planning, design, construction, and operation of public works infrastructure and municipal facilities. Knowledge of principles of leadership, management, staff development, and performance evaluation in a professional, technical, administrative, union/non-union environment. Experience with long-term and yearly budgets, with demonstrated ability to prepare budget proposals that achieve the department activities, projects, and long-range operational goals. Knowledge and understanding of procurement policies and methods that assure the best value at the best price while maintaining strict compliance with State bidding and procurement laws. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Ability to work courteously and effectively with City staff, developers, community organizations and the public. Ability to prepare clearly written reports and documents and make effective oral presentations of staff and consultant recommendations, studies, and reports to the City Council and community organizations. MATHMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts for public works projects as well as annual departmental budgets. Ability to research and apply for financial assistance for multiple on-going public works projects through grants and loans. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTERATIONS: Have, or have the ability to obtain, a valid Washington State Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Candidates with a Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license and/or advanced water or sewer operator certifications are preferred. OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to use standard hardware and software in an office environment, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, MS Teams, etc. REASONINGABILITY: Ability to absorb and analyze complex technical information quickly, draw logical conclusions, and make sound decisions of major scope with full awareness of technical, legal, and financial consequences. Work Environment Work is performed mostly in an office environment and often requires sitting at a desk or in meetings for extended periods of time, and repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Routine field work is performed at times to review sites, observe infrastructure, project construction progress and interact with the people and businesses impacted by construction. Physical effort may be required to lift equipment and system parts, which weigh up to 50 pounds. Occasional field work and reconnaissance in rugged terrain may be necessary. Physical hazard may occur from exposure to traffic and heavy equipment, rugged terrain, and utility operations. Frequent local travel is required. Occasional statewide or out-of-state travel may be required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, stoop, and sit at a desk. The employee must occasionally exert or lift up to 30 pounds. More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. The City of Shelton offers an excellent benefits package. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type, bargaining unit, or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time). Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are several medical plans with no or very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. An Employee Assistance Program is available to promote the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation City of Shelton Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. Employees also have the ability to participate in a deferred compensation program with a 6.2% match. This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security City of Shelton employees are only covered by the Medicare portion of Social Security. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to 11 paid holidays and 2 paid personal floating holidays per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave days. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be pro-rated based on the number of hours in pay status. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in City Policy 200-1501 per this schedule: Years of Service Vacation Hours Accrued Per Month: 0 thru 5 years - 10 hours Beginning 6 thru 10 years - 14 hours Beginning 11 thru 15 years - 18 hours Beginning 16 + years - 22 hours Part-time employees accrue pro-rated vacation leave hours based on their scheduled hours worked. Military Leave The City of Shelton supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Employees experiencing the loss of an immediate family member shall be granted up to (5) consecutive days of bereavement leave. For specific details and eligibility, please refer to the City of Shelton Bereavement Leave Policy or your Collective Bargaining Agreement. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay