Public Works Director

City of Tacoma, Washington

Salary: $202,550 - $285,168 DOQ

Tacoma, Washington, is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia, and is home to the Port of Tacoma, one of the largest container ports in the United States. Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to many institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the globe. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of The Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of theatres, the Washington State History Museum, the Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum. With its affordable housing, distinctive neighborhoods, and vibrant business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as one of the best places to live in the nation.

The City of Tacoma is seeking an experienced, strategic, and visionary Public Works Director to join its Executive Leadership Team. As a key member of the City’s senior management team, the Public Works Director provides overall leadership and direction for a department of approximately 300 employees dedicated to building and maintaining the infrastructure that keeps Tacoma moving. The Public Works Department is responsible for the planning, construction, operation, maintenance, and environmental stewardship of the City’s transportation system and public infrastructure, including 50 public facilities and a fleet of over 1,400 vehicles. The Director ensures that these essential public services enhance the quality of life for all Tacoma residents and visitors in a fair, responsible, sustainable, and equitable manner.

Key responsibilities include: Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Public Works Department, ensuring alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan and City Manager’s key strategic objectives. Act as the City Engineer, with responsibility for approving all capital projects within the right-of-way and ensuring compliance with City codes, standards, and design manuals. Oversee the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of streets, bridges, sidewalks, lighting, signals, and related infrastructure. Manage a biennial budget of approximately $250 million, ensuring long-term financial stability and responsible stewardship of resources. Foster strong intergovernmental relationships with key regional partners. Serve as an expert witness and policy authority on engineering, infrastructure, and right-of-way issues. Direct, mentor, and empower a talented leadership team, including the Assistant Director, Office Manager, Budget Manager, Grant Coordinator, and Special Assistant to the Director.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, business or public administration, or a directly related field (master’s degree preferred). At least 12 years of progressively responsible public works or engineering management experience, including executive or senior leadership responsibility for major public infrastructure programs. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Washington State (or the ability to obtain within six months of appointment).

Benefits include, but are not limited to, excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits for the whole family; paid holidays and personal time off; participation in Tacoma Employees' Retirement System and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities. (See the complete position profile for a link to more information on the City’s benefit package.)

For a complete position profile and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/ and click on "Open Recruitments". For questions, call 206-368-0050. The City of Tacoma has made a commitment to equity and diversity in its workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Apply by February 8, 2026. (First review, open until filled.)

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Public Works Director - City of Tacoma, Washington