Director of Public Works

Director Of Public Works

The City of Valdez is seeking a dynamic, professional leader to guide and support a talented team of specialists across our Public Works divisions:
Solid Waste, Water/Wastewater, Streets Maintenance, and Fleet Services. We're looking for someone who lives our City values, partners effectively with executive leadership, and is committed to helping make Valdez a community that people are proud to call home.

What You'll Do

• Lead, develop, and motivate skilled teams
• Collaborate with the executive team to advance City Council priorities
• Provide effective oversight of division operations, policies, procedures, and compliance
• Manage contracts, budgets, inventory systems, and regulatory responsibilities
• Communicate expectations clearly and build strong relationships across departments and with the public
• Prioritize and delegate multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Respond to inquiries from citizens, management, and regulatory agencies

What You Bring

• Proven experience as an effective manager
• Six years of supervisory experience in skilled trades and/or technical fields
• Preferred experience in public works, shops, landfills, or water/sewer operations
• Knowledge of local government functions, NIMS, and relevant state/federal regulations
• Strong understanding of contract management and fiscal stewardship
• Ability to lead, communicate, collaborate, and make informed decisions
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Compensation & Benefits

• This FLSA-exempt position offers a minimum 40-hour workweek and a highly competitive benefits package, including:
• Annual salary: $122,293 – $166,573 DOE/DOQ
• 13.5 paid holidays
• 24 days of annual personal leave (for employees with under 2 years of service)
• Affordable, comprehensive family health insurance (90/10 coverage)
• Supplemental life insurance options
• State of Alaska PERS membership
• Optional 457 deferred compensation plan
• City-matching 401(b) with 457 enrollment
• Tuition reimbursement
• Relocation assistance
• Advanced training opportunities

Hiring Timeline

Position open until filled. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. First-round interviews will begin the first week of August 2026.

Essential Functions

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Directs the daily activities of the Public Works Department staff, meets regularly with staff to evaluate performance and discuss and resolve workload and technical issues.
• Develops and evaluates Department's goals, objectives, policies, and procedures and ensures Departments' activities meet goals, objectives, laws, policies, and regulations pertaining to snow removal, utility operations, landfill operations, fleet management, flood control and dike maintenance.
• Directs Department's operations; evaluates issues and recommends solutions; prioritizes and assigns projects.
• Develops and monitors Department budgets; ensures compliance with relevant procurement policies, laws, and best practices
• Evaluates CIP and other project requirements, Federal and state mandates, and resource utilization.
• Evaluates Public Works program and permit requirements, Federal and state mandates, and resource utilization; coordinates program planning and municipal services evaluation; identifies resources and coordinates integration of services with other programs, departments, and agencies.
• Reviews new laws and proposed legislation and determines impact to programs or projects; remains current on Public Works issues and presents recommendations for City policies; prioritizes projects and programs to optimize funds spent on facilities and infrastructure.
• Reviews contracts and proposals for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with local objectives, as well as Federal, State, and local policies and practices.
• Develops and reviews permit and certification applications for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Federal, State, and local policies and practices.
• Reviews and approves special and recurring reports, budgets, grants, grant reports, and contracts; authorizes changes to existing policies and contracts consistent with delegated authority.
• Maintains cooperative working relations with the other City departments,…