PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
City of Olympia

First Review: June 18, 2023

Position Profile

• Job Description
• Org Chart

Candidate Supplemental Questions


The City of Olympia is seeking a Public Works Director for this vibrant capital city of Washington State. Olympia offers a unique energy, accessibility, and opportunity that few other communities can provide. The city’s outstanding quality of life, low crime rate, unique housing stock, and family-friendly amenities attract an active and engaged population of 55,605. 

Reporting to the City Manager, the Public Works Director oversees the planning and operations of the City’s Transportation, Engineering, Drinking Water, Waste Resources, Water Resources, and General Services lines of business.

The ideal candidate will be a hardworking, approachable, collaborative leader, focused on constant and consistent communication, building relationships with their team, and removing roadblocks so that their team can thrive.  The selected candidate will have a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans, with a focus on using performance measures to guide decision-making. The ideal candidate will be a hardworking, approachable, collaborative leader, focused on constant and consistent communication, building relationships with their team, and removing roadblocks so that their team can thrive.  The selected candidate will have a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans, with a focus on using performance measures to guide decision-making. 
 
WHY APPLY

This is a premier public works leadership opportunity in a highly sophisticated and well-grounded organization. The city’s unique natural setting, role as Washington State’s Capital City, transportation demands, commitment to environmental stewardship (right down to the city’s artesian water source) provide for a well-rounded set of interesting challenges for an accomplished professional.  The Public Works Department has a long history of excellence with a very capable and committed staff.  The former Director was recently promoted to the position of Assistant City Manager and will be available as a resource to the new Director. 

For more information, please view the full position profile.  

For questions on this position, please contact:

Dave Zabell
GMP Consultants
dzabell@gmphr.com
(509) 834-9343