Director of Public Works

Salary : $122,304.00 - $166,566.40 Annually
Location : 602 W. Egan, Valdez, AK
Job Type: Exempt-Salary
Job Number: 26.10
Department: Public Works
Division: Street & Shop Department
Opening Date: 07/17/2026

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: (Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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, and outside agencies; serves as liaison between various organizations and agencies; serves on committees, task forces and other groups as tasked.
• Participates in the City's Incident Management Team, typically as a Section Chief.
• Responsible for surplus disposal of City assets.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Knowledge of:

• Department and City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• National Incident Management System.
• Effective Customer Service principles.
• State and Federal statutes, rules, codes, and regulations relating to Public Works, Solid Waste Management, Water and Sewer Treatment, and Heavy Equipment Operations.
• Principles of contract law and contract management.
• Techniques and practices for efficient and cost-effective management of resources.
• Personal computers, spreadsheets, work order and inventory tracking software applications.
• Solid waste baler, landfill, C&D pit, and recycling operations.
• Refuse collection operation principles and procedures.
• Water and sewer utility operations and infrastructure.
• The safe use of tools, materials and equipment.
• Regional Alaska weather patterns and ecology.
• Traffic laws, ordinances, and regulations involved in heavy equipment operation and large-scale snow removal.

Skill in:

• Supervising, motivating, and coordinating staff, to ensure personnel development
• Clearly and effectively communicate expectations and provide updates to personnel
• Reading, interpreting, understanding, and applying Federal and state rules and regulations, and City policies and procedures.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks and projects, and delegating tasks and authority.
• The ability to grasp or learn concepts unique to remote Alaska that directly impact essential services.
• Responding to, and resolve inquiries from management, citizens and regulatory agencies.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relations with other City employees, members of the public, and representatives from other local, state, and Federal agencies.
• Reading technical manuals, specifications, and construction documents.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment but includes other field locations and construction sites. May be exposed to slippery or uneven surfaces, heavy equipment and machinery, loud noises, and inclement weather.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Proven experience as an effective manager. Six (6) years of supervisory experience with crews working in skilled trades and/or technical professionals. Preference given for experience supervising and administering public works functions, shops, landfills, or water/sewer operations; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and expertise.
The City of Valdez offers an enticing benefits package that includes affordable health insurance, optional life insurance, matching retirement plans, retirement planning advisor, ample paid time off, and many other perks.