Director of Capital Projects

Issaquah School District 411; Issaquah (WA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Issaquah School District 411 in Issaquah, Washington seeks a Director of Capital Projects to lead planning, budgeting, design, construction, modernization and replacement of district facilities. This role oversees major capital projects, voter-approved bonds, and long-range facilities planning with strong reporting and accountability.

The position requires directing the Capital Projects Department, aligning programs with educational priorities, and coordinating with architects, engineers, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field; substitution possible for education requirements.
• Minimum of five years of school construction experience; WA state experience preferred.
• Experience leading complex public-sector construction, modernization or capital improvement projects.
• Licensure or certification in architecture, engineering, construction management, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Capital Projects Department, including oversight and staffing.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive capital program strategy aligned with educational priorities.
• Coordinate with Operations, Facilities, Finance, administrators, consultants and contractors.
• Oversee long-range facilities master plan, life-cycle planning, and replacement cycle.
• Present capital project updates and financial reports to leadership, board and community.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Public works

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Director of Capital Projects

Issaquah School District 411 Issaquah School District 411 - Issaquah, Washington Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5902387

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 25, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Executive Director of Operations, the Director of Capital Projects provides leadership for the planning, budgeting, design, construction, modernization, and replacement of District facilities. The Director oversees major capital construction projects, voter-approved levy and bond projects, long-range facilities planning, and transparent project reporting. This position requires knowledge of District regulations and procedures, strong judgment, confidentiality, effective communication, and the ability to manage complex projects under pressure.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead and direct the Capital Projects Department, including oversight, management, and evaluation of personnel, materials, equipment, and capital needs.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive capital program strategy aligned with district educational priorities, enrollment trends, facility condition data, and long-range financial planning.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the district capital projects program in coordination with Operations, Facilities, Finance, school administrators, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Develop skills and abilities of staff within the department; assess and integrate best practices into all activities, ensuring efficient and effective construction of District facilities.
• Analyze, determine, create and implement the overall capital projects program; including collaborating with appropriate District departments, building life cycle, replacement costs, and modernization or expansion needs or plans.
• Lead development and maintenance of the district's long-range facilities master plan, facility condition assessments, enrollment projections, and replacement cycle planning to support future capital investment decisions.
• Advise the Superintendent, Board of Directors, Chief of Finance and Operations Officer, and Executive Director of Operations on potential school sites, including feasibility and overall cost to develop.
• In coordination with the CFOO and/or the Executive Director of Operations, determine operational policies, guidelines, priorities, and the scheduling of various ongoing projects.
• Provide stakeholders at various levels information pertinent to future and current capital projects
• Assist in the development of Capital Bond and Levy measures.
• Lead community engagement efforts related to capital planning, levy and bond projects, school construction, facility modernization initiatives and the Capital Projects Oversight Committee.
• Provide stewardship of voter-approved capital funds through effective budget management, financial forecasting, cost control, risk mitigation, and transparent reporting.
• Oversee the School Construction Assistance Program eligibility.
• Lead and coordinate the work of architects, engineers, and other professional consultants to ensure school facility projects are thoughtfully designed, cost-effective, and constructible while aligning with district goals and standards.
• Coordinate value engineering, site planning, permitting, constructability review, and project scheduling with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and District staff.
• Work with District legal counsel to ensure construction-related contracts and procurement documents comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and District policies.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with capital projects, including scope, schedule, budget, safety, regulatory compliance, and operational impacts.
• Consults with regulatory agencies to maintain knowledge of current construction and construction-related requirements and communicates information to appropriate stakeholders and District staff.
• Serves as initial point of contact and liaison with outside federal, state and local agencies regarding capital projects.
• Liaison with municipalities regarding construction permitting, planning, mitigation and design.
• Advices and consults with District and building administrators and staff on capital project planning, development, and implementation; serves as a liaison among stakeholders and provides guidance on construction, facilities, and infrastructure-related matters.
• Attend board meetings, preparing, sharing and publicly presenting information related to all areas of responsibilities.
• Prepare and present capital project updates, financial reports, and project status information to District leadership, the Board of Directors, community groups, and oversight committees.
• Ensure compliance within capital project programs required by industry or governmental standards.
• Represent the District on various internal and external boards/committees as required and or directed.
• Maintain current knowledge of rules, regulations, legislation, technology, and procedures governing school district support organizations.
• Possess knowledge of and adhere to Governing Policies and District Regulations and Procedures.
• Participate in special projects as assigned and perform related duties and key responsibilities consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, building construction, business, architecture etc. Qualifying experience may substitute for educational requirements.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in school construction (preferably in Washington State). District-level administrative experience and supervision in school systems preferred. Demonstrated experience leading complex public-sector construction, modernization, or capital improvement projects. Professional licensure or certification in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field is preferred. Demonstrated competency in planning and managing using technology, including that specifically necessary for capital projects programs. Further, the individual will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, organize projects and details, and make decisions efficaciously;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a pleasant, tactful and professional manner;
• Ability to research, analyze, and interpret data, rules and regulations, codes, statutes, and laws to effectuate change and improvement for learning;
• Ability to prepare and track budgets for large bond and levy projects;
• Ability to utilize software and technology for recordkeeping, presentations and trainings, and fluent communication;
• Skills in leading professional development and knowledge of adult learning needs;
• Ability to resolve conflicts.
• Ability to exercise independent decision-making abilities, organize and manage multiple time-sensitive tasks, and facilitate resolution of difficult and/or delicate parent, staff and community issues.
• Ability to prepare, monitor, and communicate large capital project budgets, schedules, and reports.
• Ability to use project management, recordkeeping, presentation, and communication technology effectively.
• Ability to resolve complex issues involving staff, contractors, consultants, families, and community stakeholders.
• Knowledge of public works, school construction, facility life-cycle planning, procurement, change orders, project closeout, and long-range capital planning.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: Must maintain as current any certification or license listed herein and held at hire date.

CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING: That which is required to be effective in the position and to maintain certification as well maintaining current knowledge of rules, regulations, legislation, technology, and procedures governing school district support organizations.

CLEARANCES: Criminal Justice fingerprint/Background Clearance

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

BARGAINING UNIT: Unrepresented

DISCLAIMER, ADA AND NONDISCRIMATION STATEMENT The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include and/or not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employer.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The following employee(s) have been designated to handle questions and/or complaints of alleged discrimination involving staff: Amanda Dorey, Director of Human Resources, [phone].

Position Type: Full-time

Salary: $193,758 to $199,751 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Amy Linzbach
• 5150 220TH AVE SE
• Issaquah, Washington 98029
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]