Public Works Operations & Maintenance Administrator

Spokane County Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Spokane County is seeking an Operations & Maintenance Administrator to lead the Roads Division. You will plan, budget, organize, and direct all road-related activities including bridges, striping, snow removal, and asset management.

The role requires strategic leadership, collaboration with multiple agencies, and experience in large public works environments. Candidates should possess strong budgeting, policy development, and communication skills to drive service levels and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil or environmental engineering, hydrogeology, public or business administration, finance, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree in business or public administration is desirable.
• Five (5) or more years of broad-scope, progressing responsibilities and high-level management experience in a local government setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the Roads Division, driving continuous improvement and employee development.
• Develop long-range maintenance programs and strategic plans for roadway infrastructure.
• Prepare maintenance division budget and monitor costs; oversee equipment repair and replacement funds.
• Represent the County in negotiations, MOUs, and contract labor matters and coordinate with external agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Policy development

Communication

Contract negotiations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or related field

Master’s degree in business or public administration (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word processing

Databases

Job description

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.Employee Type:RegularDepartment:County RoadSalary:$99,822.74 - $139,751.81 Annually / $8,318.56 - $11,645.98 Monthly / $47.99 - $67.19 HourlyScheduled Weekly Hours:40Overtime Eligibile:NoJob Posting Date Range:08/03/2026 - Until FilledJob Summary:The position allocated to this class performs leadership, management, and professional work as the head of the County’s Roads Division. The Operations & Maintenance Administrator is responsible for the planning, budgeting, organizing, and directing of all activities related to the County’s roads division, including bridges, guardrails, road striping, pavement conditions, and snow removal. Key positions reporting to this position include the Road Maintenance Operation Assistant Manager, Road Maintenance & Operations Supervisors, and office support personnel.Management responsibilities include developing major divisional policies and procedures and performing long-range planning and programming of roadway infrastructure. The position requires considerable exercise of independent judgment, discretion and initiative and a high degree of contact with city, county, state and federal agencies; engineering and construction firms; private individuals; developers; attorneys; and elected officials. Work is performed under the guidance and supervision of the County’s Public Works Director who reviews the work through regular contact, conferences, reports and overall evaluation of results achieved. In addition, the Operations & Maintenance Administrator makes presentations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the activities of the division and proposed official actions to be taken by the Board.Job Description:ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSProvides strong leadership for the Division, emphasizing adherence to core values and embracing the principles of continuous improvement and fostering employee development.Coordinate with department officials to draft a comprehensive long-range maintenance program.Recommend annual and short-term plans to implement program and implement plans as approved.Develop and implement division long and short-range goals and objectives including strategic plan and asset management program.Determine maintenance needs of roads, bridges, drainage systems and other related facilities utilizing professional knowledge and interactive group processes.Propose work plans, specifications and estimates for labor, equipment and materials for a variety of maintenance activities and projects. Implement approved work plans.Manage the County Equipment Repair and Replacement fund, County Fleet and heavy equipment facilities.Review and investigate complaints regarding county roads, utility systems, employee activities and other related items, taking appropriate action as necessary.Represent the County Engineer in road division contract negotiations, MOU’s, and other contractual labor matters.Maintain records as required by law, ordinance or need, including electronically generated and stored data.Evaluate division operations and recommend policy and procedures as necessary to improve efficiency and level of service.Coordinate division activities with other divisions and departments and with outside agencies as required.Conduct interviews; and recommend individuals for employment. Evaluate the performance of senior division personnel and recommend hiring, promotions or disciplinary action.Consult with and advise construction, maintenance and equipment personnel in the maintenance division on broad policy issues.Prepare maintenance division budget. Recommend cost control and budget monitoring methods. Assist in developing recruitment and selection processes for maintenance positions.Establish labor, equipment, material and facility needs relative to the budget and operational requests.Ensure division is complying with applicable safety regulations. Monitor and evaluate division’s injury and safety record, initiate mitigation efforts to reduce injuries and improve safety within the division.Represents the Department in labor negotiations, contract administration and disciplinary actions.Monitors and provides leadership on employee development and personnel matters for the division to ensure consistent application of County policies and procedures. May participate in labor negotiations as a management representative.Under the guidance of the Public Works Director, coordinates the divisions efforts with other County departments, and city, state and federal agencies.Interfaces as appropriate with the Board of Commissioners and other boards, City Councils, agencies, regulatory agencies, and the general public.Performs other related duties, as required.EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTSBachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil or environmental engineering, hydrogeology, public or business administration, finance, or a closely related field.Master’s degree in business or public administration is desirable.Five (5) or more years of broad-scope, progressing responsibilities and high-level management experience in a medium to large local government utility, public works department or comparable job functions.Three (3) years of supervisor experience in a unionized environment preferredValid Driver’s license.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESKnowledge of governmental organization, rules, regulations and processes.Knowledge of relevant laws and regulatory agency requirements including federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.Knowledge of materials, methods, and techniques used in road construction and maintenance.knowledge of heavy equipment operations, repair and replacementKnowledge of the basic principles of pro-active management and supervision including, but not limited to, hiring, assigning work load, evaluating, supervising, disciplining and terminating employees.Knowledge of sound and accepted engineering principles necessary to plan, develop, finance, operate and maintain major infrastructure facilities and capital projects.Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in project management and control including an understanding of the operational and technical processes required to support the functions of the division.Knowledge of sound fiscal programs and budgeting processes necessary to effectively manage assets.Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work, including County leadership, department officials, employees, regulatory agencies and the public.Skilled in working with private and public agencies.Skilled in policy and procedure development.Skilled in use of computer technology including spreadsheet, word processing, database and graphics software.Ability to provide leadership through coaching, mentoring and building a high performing team and team culture.Ability to develop long-range plans and strategies related to the future operations of the division.Ability to make critical decisions involving large, complex technical or financial transitions.Ability to build a consensus.Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in developing, applying, and interpreting policies and procedures.Ability to effectively and efficiently manage and supervise the activities, programs, and personnel of the division.Ability to provide testimony at public hearings and trials, explaining technical concepts in a non-technical manner.Ability to demonstrate openness to the public and to all related municipalities and agencies.BEHAVIORAL STANDARDSAll County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.WORKING CONDITIONSThe work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.Total Compensation:$127,773 - $178,882 AnnuallyTotal compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.