Deputy Public Works Director/Assistant City Engineer

City of Tukwila

Seattle (WA)

On-site

USD 160,000 - 215,000

Full time

13 hours ago

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Job summary

The City of Tukwila is seeking an experienced Deputy Public Works Director / Assistant City Engineer to join our leadership team. Under the general direction of the Public Works Director, this position provides hands-on supervision, strategic guidance, and operational oversight to the Engineering Division.

The Deputy Director supervises three teams of professionals ensuring high-quality project delivery; strengthens staff capabilities through coaching and professional development; develops and

Qualifications

ABET accredited Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Washington or able to obtain within 6 months.
7+ years engineering experience with at least 5 years in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates Engineering Division operations and programs.
Leads long-range planning and strategic initiatives for citywide goals.
Oversees design, development, and construction of public infrastructure (streets, water, sewer, stormwater).
Reviews plans, reports, and designs for compliance with codes and standards.
Guides development of the City’s long-range Capital Improvement Program.
Manages division budget, resources, and equipment needs.
Coordinates with departments, agencies, and external partners; negotiates complex issues.
Represents the City at meetings and public events; administers grants and funding.
Develops ordinances, policies, and engineering standards; provides dispute resolution.
Coaches, mentors, and develops staff; supports career growth.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory

Strategic planning

Project coordination

Staff development

Education

ABET accredited Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license WA

Job description

Description

The City of Tukwila is seeking an experienced, dedicated, and forward-thinking Deputy Public Works Director / Assistant City Engineer to join our leadership team. Under the general direction of the Public Works Director, this position provides hands-on supervision, strategic guidance, and operational oversight to the Engineering Division. The Deputy Director supervises three teams of professionals ensuring high-quality project delivery; strengthens staff capabilities through coaching and professional development; develops and implements infrastructure design and construction standards, and ensures compliance with City, state, and federal regulations. The three engineering teams are organized around utilities, transportation, and NPDES permit compliance. We are seeking a leader with experience with delivering state and federally funded transportation projects to help guide staff and deliver a large six-year capital program. This position also serves as the Acting Public Works Director in the Director's absence, providing continuity of leadership and timely decision-making for the Department. This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader committed to public service, organizational improvement, and developing an empowered and skilled engineering workforce.

About Tukwila

The City of Tukwila is 9.6 square miles of opportunity and a dynamic place to work. The population is over 22,000 at night and up to 150,000+ during the day. Tukwila shares borders with the Cities of Seattle, Renton, SeaTac, Burien, and Kent. Its central location lies in the heart of the Puget Sound region, sitting 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, 17miles north of downtown Tacoma, and just east of SeaTac Airport. It is easily accessed by I-5 and I-405 or via either of Tukwila's two train stations, the Sounder Station or the Sound Transit Light Rail Station.

Our Mission

To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting, healthy environment for our residents, businesses and guests.

Our Values

Caring - We support the diverse community we serve with compassion, empathy and kindness.

Professional - We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and act with integrity and transparency. We are respectful and courteous with all.

Responsive - We are timely and effective in the delivery of great customer service. We continually strive to find innovative ways to improve.

About the Public Works Department

Public Works provides the foundation for high quality of life in Tukwila by protecting the health and safety of residents, visitors, and businesses. The Department is responsible for design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the City’s essential transportation, water, sewer, and surface water infrastructure. Public Works also supports other divisions through the management and maintenance of the City’s vehicles and facilities assets.

Position Description

Under the general guidance and direction of a Department Director, performs a variety of managerial, supervisory, professional, and administrative work in planning, organizing and coordinating the overall activities of the Engineering Division which includes public street, water, sewer, storm drainage, bridge and miscellaneous public projects; engineering studies and reports; and maintenance of all public plans, maps, and as-builts. This role provides critical leadership to our three engineering teams spanning utilities, transportation, and environmental compliance. Crucially, this position serves as Acting Department Director in the Director's absence.

Salary Range

$14,352 - $19,234 per month.

Note

We don’t typically hire at the top of the range.

Veteran’s Preference

Veteran's Preference is available in accordance with state laws. Attach DD214 or NGB Form 22 for eligibility.

Selection Process

The City of Tukwila is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

This selection process may include but is not limited to evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing, and interviewing. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at humanresources@tukwilawa.gov.

This recruitment is open and continuous until filled, with a first review of candidates on August 17, 2026.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Plans, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates Engineering Division operations; implements policies, procedures, programs, and directives.
Leads long-range planning, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts for departmental and citywide goals.
Oversees engineering design, project development, and construction of public infrastructure including streets, water, sewer, stormwater, flood control structures, and bridges.
Reviews scopes, plans, specifications, reports, and design documents; ensures compliance with City, state, and federal codes and standards.
Guides the development and implementation of the City’s long-range Capital Improvement Program.
Oversees preparation, management, and forecasting of the division budget; allocates resources and identifies equipment and program needs.
Coordinates with other departments, elected officials, regional agencies, and external partners; negotiates and resolves complex and sensitive issues.
Represents the City at governmental meetings, committees, commissions, and public events.
Administers state and federal grants and special funding for capital projects.
Develops ordinances, policies, methodologies, and engineering standards; serves as subject-matter expert and dispute resolution authority for construction and engineering issues.
Provides coaching, mentoring, training, performance evaluation, and discipline for subordinate employees; builds staff capability and supports career development.
Reviews and recommends approval or denial of infrastructure plans, permits, development proposals, franchise agreements, and other engineering-related submissions.
Supports emergency operations related to infrastructure and utilities; assists with post-event restoration programs.
Serves as Acting Public Works Director during the Director’s absence.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

KNOWLEDGE (position requirements at entry)

Principles, practices, procedures, techniques, and equipment related to the field;
General municipal operations and structure;
Applicable codes, laws, City ordinances, and departmental rules and regulations;
Budgeting principles and processes; and
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation;

SKILLS (position Requirements At Entry)

Guiding, directing and motivating employees;
Ability to evaluate highly complex technical reports;
Exercising sound judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions;
Establishing and maintaining working relationships with City personnel, outside agencies, and the general public;
Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing;
Developing and implementing programs, policies, and/or procedures to achieve specific goals and objectives;
Ability to use ERSI ArcMap software.

Education, Experience And Other Requirements

ABET accredited Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field and
Seven years of engineering experience including five years of supervisory responsibility

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience to provide sufficient evidence of the successful performance of the essential elements of the job such as those listed above.

Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) within the State of Washington;

If registered in another state, must obtain Washington State registration within six (6) months of hire.

A valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Project Management Professional certification
Local government knowledge and experience
Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Process Improvement training

Physical Activity/Requirements

Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, mobility, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing, climbing, crawling, and walking.

Do you hold a valid Professional Engineer's license in Washington state?

How many years of experience do you have supervising technical staff?

How many years of experience do you have managing capital transportation projects?

How many years of experience do you have managing public works and A/E contracts in Washington state?