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Summary
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.
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Job Description
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.
For the entire job description: https://www.kitsap.gov/hr/JobClassifications/Assistant%20Director%20-%20County%20Engineer.pdf (Download PDF reader)
To learn more about the department: Public Works - Kitsap County -
Job Requirements
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
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Special Instructions
Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.
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Additional Information
This position is open until filled.
The first review is scheduled for the week of June 22, 2026 and then weekly! -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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KITSAP COUNTY
Show moreKitsap County employs over 1100 employees in jobs that allow employees to make their mark and make a difference in their local community. The County strives to provide effective and efficient services by continually assessing its purpose, promoting and rewarding innovation and fostering employee development. Kitsap's Human Resources team provides the employee programs and benefits to keep Kitsap a great place to work.
- Nancy Buonanno Grennan, Human Resources Director
Our Mission
Human Resources recruits talented, career-minded leaders; supports employee development; builds trust; celebrates teamwork; works with integrity and clear communication.
Our Vision
If we are successful, Kitsap County will be a trusting & competitive organization that employs and develops the most effective, professional & friendly staff available.
Our Values
We make decisions out of a sense of fairness & we will remember the "Human" part of HR.
We focus on the needs of our customers & work to earn their trust.
We do the right thing, no matter who is involved.
We are relentlessly positive. -