Assistant Director, Environment and Public Works

Position Description

The City of Tacoma, Environment and Public Works (EPW) Department, is recruiting for an Assistant Director position to provide leadership and operational oversight in the support of the Director of Environment and Public Works, assisting with daily operation and supervision of the department. This position will serve as a key member of our leadership team and will play a critical role in advancing the financial, operational, legislative, and strategic objectives of the department which includes Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Stormwater utilities.

The Assistant Director will be part of the Environment and Public Works executive leadership team, and will specifically be responsible for management and leadership of the Solid Waste Management Branch of the Department, which includes collection, transport, processing and disposal of garbage, recycling, and organic waste for residential and commercial customers within the City of Tacoma. The Tidy-up Tacoma program is also managed by the Solid Waste Management Branch. Tidy-up Tacoma provides litter and debris clean-up, graffiti removal, trail maintenance, and public litter cans to keep the City of Tacoma’s public spaces clean.

This role will be able to support the City's strategic goals of a safe, clean and attractive City by:

• Planning, developing and maintaining Environment and Public Works' infrastructure and services;
• Providing leadership in environmental stewardship by meeting regulatory requirements and making use of best technologies for solid waste, surface water and wastewater operations, and
• Strategically managing the allocation of resources to achieve customer and community expectations.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Manage strategic interactions and act as a liaison of all Environment and Public Works utilities and divisions with various City departments.
• Serve on advisory boards and committees where appropriate to include Joint Labor.
• Direct and assist in the strategic management of department HR functions for over 500 employees including hiring and termination recommendations, personnel issues, discipline, and EEO.
• Manage and direct assigned divisions within the Environment and Public Works Department and/or functional work groups to ensure alignment to departmental strategic plans, as well as city-wide strategic goals.
• Manage various cross departmental projects and evaluate the impact of projects and programs. Sponsor change management initiatives such as safety, IT and others.
• Support the EPW Legislative process to include review of resolution and ordinance requests. Prioritize the department's schedule for needed City Council actions which may include Neighborhood Councils, Business Districts and External Partners in the City.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the department budget. Monitor budget and rate proposals.
• Represent the utilities / department both internally and to outside agencies (local, regional and national) and organizations, such as regional planning boards and professional associations.
• Implement the Environment and Public Works Department vision and objectives as outlined in the city and department strategic plans.

Our Ideal Candidate will be a person who exemplifies the following traits:

• The organizational savvy to help interpret and implement the Director's intent.
• A strong knowledge of municipal government policies and procedures.
• Strong personal motivation and drive - an energetic and committed self-starter.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• A dynamic leader who motivates others, with exceptional team building and performance leadership skills.
• High-performing customer service and conflict management skill sets.

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny , has a workforce of dedicated, talented employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity , speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service. The Environment and Public Works Department believes that everything we do supports healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, public administration or directly related field, including environmental sciences

Minimum Experience:
10 years of environmental services experience, which could include utility administration, or engineering experience, AND 1 year prior at a supervisory level

LICENCES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Washington State driver's license
A valid Washington Professional Engineering License is desirable
*Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-to-year basis

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individuals should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. 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 the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $84.27 - $118.64

Annual Salary: $175,281.60 - $246,771.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 6/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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