Public Works Director

City of Wasilla; Alaska; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Wasilla seeks a confidential, at-will Public Works leader to oversee planning, direction, and evaluation of the comprehensive Public Works program. You will manage roads, buildings, parks, water, sewer, and airport operations, ensuring safe, reliable services and coordination across divisions.

You should bring eight years in public works or engineering with four years of supervisory responsibility, plus a PE license in Alaska.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of professional work experience in public works or engineering with four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or related field.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering in the State of Alaska.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, direction, and evaluation of a comprehensive Public Works program.
• Ensure efficient operation and coordination of all Public Works divisions (roads, buildings, parks, water, sewer, airport).
• Lead budgeting, fiscal management, and project management for municipal infrastructure programs.
• Provide leadership, recruit and develop staff, and make final employment recommendations.

Skills

Civil engineering

Budgeting

Project management

Supervisory experience

Policy & regulatory knowledge

Strategic planning

Written and oral communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license, Alaska

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Project management software

CAD/blueprint review

Job description

This is a confidential/manager at-will position with the City of Wasilla. This position oversees the planning, direction, and evaluation of a comprehensive Public Works program, encompassing roads, buildings, parks, water supply, sewer treatment facilities, and municipal airport operations. The role ensures the delivery of essential services to maintain public infrastructure and safeguard public safety, health, and welfare. Additionally, the position is responsible for ensuring the effective operation and coordination of all Public Works divisions.

The following duties are essential for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Civil engineering principles and practices.
• Methods and techniques in the design, construction and maintenance of municipal facilities and projects.
• Principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.

• Administrative policies and procedures of the City.
• The City’s and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time-off, and maintaining personnel records.
• Principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
• Computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, database applications, and specialized software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Organizational and time management to prioritize duties while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Researching and understanding complex written materials; maintaining accurate internal records.

Ability to:

• Develop department goals and objectives.
• Effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
• Adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Maintain professionalism at all times.
• Use appropriate language, style and methods depending on audience and the purpose of communication.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with business representatives, elected officials, department heads, the public, and other City employees with courtesy and tact.
• Maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of Freedom of Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Work the allocated hours of the position and responds after hours if needed.

Minimum Experience: Eight (8) years of professional work experience in public works or engineering with four (4) years of directly related, progressively responsible administrative and supervisory experience. A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering or related field.

Minimum Certifications: Registration as a Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering in the State of Alaska.

Other Requirements:

• Public Administration training preferred.
• Must obtain a valid State of Alaska Driver's License by time of hire.
• Homeland Security orientation tests will be required as a term of employment; IC-100 taken online with 15 days of date of hire; IC-200, IC-700, and IC-800 tests to be taken online with 45 days of date of hire. Complete IC-300 and IC-400 training as it becomes available.