ISSAQUAH,WAPublic Works Director

Recruitment Services Provided by Ralph Andersen & Associates

Issaquah – A Special Place to Call HomeIssaquah is a vibrant, growing community nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Cascade Mountains just 16 miles east of Seattle. With top-rated schools and a growing business scene that includes Costco’s international headquarters, Issaquah is known for its innovation and commitment to sustainability, family values, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship.

Issaquah is a dynamic community of 39,000 residents who enjoy a truly enviable quality of life. Hiking and mountain-related activities abound in “Trailhead City.” Two snow ski areas are just 40 miles east in the heart of the central Cascades. More than mountains, Issaquah borders 98-square mile Lake Sammamish and accompanying Lake Sammamish State Park, which provides access to a tremendous range of water-based activities. When the big city calls with its urban amenities, Seattle is also a quick drive (or bus trip) away.

Befitting a community blessed with so many attributes, Issaquah has a strong sense of identity, a bustling economy, and an engaged citizenry. The award-winning Issaquah School District is home to 23 schools. Swedish Health Services operates a full-service hospital and healthcare facility. Gilman Village is one of the most distinctive shopping destinations in the Greater Seattle region, and is an important historic community asset. Cougar Mountain Zoo offers eight acres of habitat for many endangered species from around the globe. The local salmon hatchery draws in approximately 350,000 visits annually, while Issaquah hosts the award-winning Salmon Days Festival each year, attracting nearly 200,000 attendees.

The diversity of opportunities and amenities has not gone unnoticed. Issaquah was named “Best Burb” by Sunset Magazine, one of the “Best Towns for Families” by Family Circle Magazine, and one of the “Best Places” by Outside Magazine. Issaquah is best understood as a dynamic, growing, and complete small city with an informed sense of its future.

The OpportunityThe City of Issaquah is offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced, self-motivated public works professional to lead a newly-established Public Works Department. This director-level position would join the new, energetic City Administrator and a strong leadership team to serve a community rapidly-transforming itself into a premier 21st century city.

Ideal candidates will be capable of thriving in a progressive, highly-professional organization, and have the ability to build trust and confidence within the Public Works Department while also developing ways to operate efficiently and effectively.

Issaquah’s City GovernanceThe City of Issaquah operates under the mayor/council form of government. Mayor Mary Lou Pauly who serves as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer also served on the City’s Development Commission from 1994 until she was elected to Council in 2013. After serving 4 years as a City Councilmember, she was elected Mayor by citywide popular vote in 2017. An elected seven-member council provides legislative direction for the City. The City Administrator, Wally Bobkiewicz, who was appointed in 2019, works under the direction of the mayor and is responsible for overseeing the activities and functions of the City Departments.

Issaquah employs 240 full-time staff, and the 2020 adopted budget of $143.1 million reflects Issaquah as a steadily growing community that implements City Council priorities. City services are provided through the following departments: Community Planning & Development; Executive; Finance; Human Resources; Municipal Court; Parks and Community Services; Police; and Public Works.

Public Works DepartmentThe Public Works Director will have the opportunity to create a unified Public Works Department by combining Public Works Engineering and Public Works Operations, which previously were two separate departments. Recent retirements of both directors created the opportunity to merge the departments into a consolidated public works team.

The Public Works Department has 56 full-time staff and an operating budget of $56 million. The department is organized into six divisions: Transportation Engineering, Utilities Engineering, Street Operations, Water Operations, Sewer and Stormwater Operations, and the City Fleet. Emergency Management is also a key function of the Public Works Department.

The PositionAppointment for this position is made by the City Administrator. Under general direction of the Deputy City Administrator, the Public Works Director provides leadership and direction to the Public Works Department with responsibility for a full range of public works services. This dynamic and innovative leader guides the department through long-range planning, policy implementation, and everyday maintenance and operations, with a strong focus on customer service.

The incumbent also serves as a key member of the City’s Senior Leadership Team, and participates actively in addressing issues of concern to the City with emphasis placed on implementation of key elements of the City’s Strategic Plan, which include mobility and infrastructure as key community priorities.

The director manages the development and implementation of the Public Works Department functions, and collaborates with key staff to establish goals, objectives, and priorities. The Public Works Director supervises an integrated team of professionals and oversees the maintenance, operation, planning, engineering, and construction activities of public works projects. The director coordinates public works activities with other departments and advises the Deputy City Administrator and City Administrator in matters relating to department activities.

The director effectively establishes relationships with outside agencies while maintaining regular contact with county, state, and federal stakeholders to advocate for public works project funding.

The Ideal CandidateThe City is seeking a director who is experienced, technically competent, strategic, and politically astute. The ideal candidate will possess strength of character, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively address differing perspectives. The successful candidate will display exceptional critical thinking skills and quality staff work to help facilitate good decision making by the City Administrator and City Council. He or she will possess strong management and long-term planning and budgeting expertise with resourceful approaches in securing funding and implementation of key projects.

The Public Works Director employs a leadership style that invites participation and values input from the Public Works team. The successful candidate embraces mutual respect, accountability, commitment to high-quality work, and sound customer service as key attributes.

The director brings a fresh perspective and a modern approach to public works projects and initiatives. This person values innovation and embraces alternative methods and new approaches to problem-solving. The Public Works Director successfully navigates the political, administrative, and technical aspects of the position and understands the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure while designing and building necessary improvements and planning for future growth.

Personal characteristics include someone who is collaborative, forward thinking, an excellent communicator, and understands the technical issues (and can understand the political ones as well). Top candidates should have excellent public relations and presentation skills along with a track record of outstanding asset management and financial management skills.

The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to solve difficult problems with practical, effective solutions. The Public Works Director will need to identify common ground efficiently while building trust of peers through collaboration and managing towards consensus-based outcomes. The top candidate must not only be flexible but also have a successful track record of leading change.

Key professional opportunities that the new director will face include:

• Build the easternmost light rail station in the Seattle Metro area by working with regional transit providers and other city departments.

• Creation of an integrated strategy to effectively consolidate and create a high-performing Public Works Department. Establish excellent relationships with employees and build collaboration across divisions to meet the changing infrastructure needs of the growing community.

• Establish the City’s asset management program and extend the life of the City’s infrastructure through enhanced maintenance.

• Direct programs that advance the City’s mobility goals while embracing new, smart city technologies.

• Establish a culture of learning and growth for employees in all divisions including coaching, mentoring, and inspiring staff to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization.

Qualifying Education and ExperienceEducation & Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business management, planning, or a related field and six (6) years of upper-management experience in administering complex municipal public works, engineering, utilities, budgets, and community development is required.

• Washington State Professional Engineering license is preferred.

• A combination of knowledge, skills, or abilities that allow the applicant to perform the job will be considered. A broad background and knowledge of public works infrastructure, including transportation, and water and storm drainage systems are essential. Prior experience in management with the ability to leverage best practices in a growing community is ideal.

• Demonstrated experience in budget development, fiscal management and controls, and strategic business planning, and measures is a necessity.

Compensation and BenefitsThe salary range for this position is $144,700 to $196,400 annually, depending on experience. In addition, the City of Issaquah offers an excellent benefits package. Benefits include: 13 paid holidays; 80 hours of management leave; choice of one of two vacation/sick leave packages; medical, dental with orthodontia rider, vision and life insurance; wellness program; community center membership; tuition reimbursement; 401A and 457 plan matching; and state public employee retirement system. Additional benefit information is available at www.ralphandersen.com.

To Be ConsideredThis is a confidential process. References will not be required to be submitted or contacted until a contingent offer has been made.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately by submitting a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume via email to apply@ralphandersen.com no later than Friday, September 11, 2020. Review of qualifications will be done upon submittal to Ralph Andersen & Associates. Review of resume with the City will begin the week of September 21, 2020.

Candidates that advance will likely interview twice with committees comprised of Issaquah-based stakeholders. Final candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation to stakeholders before the City of Issaquah makes a final decision.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the recruitment process, please call Mr. Fred Wilson at (916) 630-4900. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

issaquahwa.gov

The City of Issaquah strives to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We value a variety of perspectives and life experiences and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state and local laws. We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates

is critical to the success of our City operations.