Transportation Division Manager

Job Description:

Transportation Division Manager

Description

Position Description

The Public Works Department (Public Works) is recruiting for our Transportation Division Manager (Division Manager, Engineering) position. The ideal candidate will be a holistic strategic thinker who is a collaborative leader that can bring teams together and influence the direction of Public Works.

As a key member of the Public Works Management Team, the successful candidate will support the mission of the Department to provide essential public services by designing, building, maintaining, and preserving public infrastructure that enhances the quality of life for the people of Tacoma in a fair, responsive, sustainable, and equitable manner. Public Works does this through an open and engaged partnership with customers, cost-effective services, and a consistent approach to satisfying the needs of the community.

Under the direction of the Public Works Director and Assistant Public Works Director, this senior leader provides leadership and direction to approximately 60 full-time employees, including six direct reports. This Sr. leader is responsible for creating and maintaining an operating biennial budget of $33.5 million and a capital biennial budget of approximately $6.7 million. This position plays a central role in safeguarding public safety by guiding implementation of transportation functions and operations and managing transportation engineering design, transportation planning, and operations. Program areas include parking services, design review for private development and capital projects, traffic data collection and analysis, development of engineering standards, traffic safety and automated enforcement, active transportation, school safety programs, permitting, Road Use Compliance, and the maintenance and operation of the City’s streetlights and traffic signals.

Division Overview:

The mission of the Transportation Division is to support the City of Tacoma’s goals through the fiscally and environmentally responsible planning, design, maintenance, and operation of transportation systems for everyone who lives, works, or plays in Tacoma. Our services enhance the community by improving the function of the multi-modal transportation network for all users.

• Safe: We prioritize the safety of all users, and strive to build a transportation system that provides safe and reliable access for all users and neighborhoods.
• Equitable: We center anti-racism in our work and work to decrease disparities in our transportation system.
• Sustainable: We recognize that transportation is a leading contributor to local greenhouse gas emissions and work to improve the efficiency of our existing investments and to prioritize active transportation and transit in new investments.

The Transportation Division collaborates with a broad cross-section of disciplines within the City of Tacoma staff organization, City Council, Transportation Commission and other boards and commissions, and community stakeholders to establish and implement transportation plans and policies, including:

• Transportation and Mobility Plan,
• Safe Routes to School Action Plan,
• Vision Zero Action Plan, and
• Transportation elements of the City’s Right-of-Way Design Manual, City Standard Plans, City-developed Special Provisions for Capital Projects, and long-range planning documents.

What we are looking for in our Ideal Candidate:

• A strategic thinker who knows how to paint a picture of the Department and Division's vision and strategy.
• A leader who is able to gain the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and collaboration.
• A dynamic, compassionate leader who motivates others, with exceptional team building and performance leadership skills.
• An innovative, results-oriented leader who promotes efficient ways of conducting business, with excellent decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Candidates must have the ability to communicate and present clearly and effectively with the City Manager, City Council, City Staff, and our community members.
• Previous experience at the Division Manager or Assistant Division Manager level, or equivalent experience managing a diverse, complex, public works-related team and associated projects in the management and administration of municipal government operations.
• Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering, transportation planning, private development reviews, and traffic operations and maintenance, and related rules, laws, and regulations in order to maintain a safe transportation system/infrastructure in Tacoma.

Check out Public Works’ video!

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, mechanical, or electrical engineering or directly related field

Minimum Experience*
7 years of engineering experience including 3 years as a licensed professional engineering including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
As Assigned, May Require:
Washington State Licensed Professional Engineer**
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
**6-month grace period allowable to transfer PE license from another state to WA

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: 9/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$158,288.00 - $222,892.80 Annually