Roads Maintenance Section Manager

We are hiring for a Roads Maintenance Section Manager!We are looking for someone who is an experienced people leader and operations manager who can impart strong visionary leadership.
The King County Department of Local Services Road Services Division is responsible for all County-owned roads, bridges, and related infrastructure in unincorporated King County, managing and maintaining approximately 1,500 miles of roads and 185 bridges. Unincorporated-area roads support over one million trips per day as part of a larger transportation network, and people from all parts of the county- and beyond-use them; about half the trips on the high-volume roads originate in cities and other counties. The division is focused on the following strategic priorities: Keeping Roads Safe and Open; Advancing Equitable Infrastructure; Improving Sustainable Funding; Investing in our Facilities; Supporting Environmental Sustainability; and Investing in our People.
The daily operational needs of the Road Services Division (Roads) Maintenance Section require a high level of communication, fiscal, labor relations, and organizational skills to effectively manage a budget of $37 million and lead 235 full-time employees represented by one of ten collective bargaining agreements. This position serves on the Road Services senior leadership team and reports to the Division Director. The position works collaboratively with the County Road Engineer and a creative and skilled team of professionals working to identify and define innovative, industry-leading approaches to responsibly address the management of an aging asset base valued at about $40 billion dollars.
Our commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice
The Department of Local Services is deeply dedicated to fostering Equity, Racial and Social Justice in every aspect of our work. Our commitment to "True North" values which ensures every person has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential and forms the core of our mission and purpose. Our pledge is to cultivate, embrace, and celebrate the distinct experiences, viewpoints, and perspectives of our people, partners, and the communities we serve. Through this work, we dismantle systemic barriers, address inequities, and actively confront prejudices and biases. We acknowledge this journey is ongoing, and we remain steadfast in our efforts to create a positive impact for our employees and communities alike.Applying equity, racial, and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

• Create a thoughtful and systematic approach to work priorities, particularly in a reactive environment, and successfully communicate this approach.
• Be in the field on a regular basis.
• Relate to and empathize with on-site, shift, and customer facing employees, the challenges they face and be able to advocate for them and their needs.
• Provide clear, transparent, accessible, and accountable leadership including developing good working relationships with employees, labor, peers, customers, county leadership, and other agencies. Develop and share plans and rationale for work programs and decisions developed to be consistent with agency values and priorities.
• Together with their leadership team manage a diverse workforce of over 200 employees involved in performing road-related maintenance and operational activities; coordinate and direct all work and functions of the Maintenance Section.
• Advance the division's journey to becoming a pro-equity, anti-racist organization where everyone experiences a send of belonging.
• Assess current operations, budget, assets and employees to determine ability to meet strategic division priorities and implement policies and practices to continually improve the performance of the section and division.
• Administer media communications, messaging, and public relations activities for the section. Work with section and division staff as well as the division/department Public Information Officer to craft communications and messaging related to natural disasters, road damage, snow and ice response, road maintenance budget, traffic safety, and other issues.
• Play a key role with governmental agencies during flood and snow events and other natural disasters.
• Be comfortable in and understand the organizational structure, existing operating systems, and have the ability to be
  politically savvy.
• Understand the importance of effectively building meaningful relationships with internal and external partners.

• Have the ability to anticipate problems and engage others collaboratively in creating proactive, values-based, and results-oriented solutions that meet critical business needs of the section.
• Are able to provide visionary, adaptive leadership necessary to anticipate the long-term business needs for the region and to achieve the section goals and strategies.
• Are able to manage road maintenance activities, including emergency preparedness and response.
• Can function as the key spokesperson in communicating with a variety of audiences including county leadership, elected officials, key interest groups, community groups, and the media.
• Have demonstrated ability to effectively engage, support, and motivate a large and diverse group of employees consisting of numerous field and professional classifications who are represented by numerous collective bargaining agreements.
• Have strong listening and problem-solving skills and timely decision-making skills. Transparent, accountable, open servant leader who provides clear rationale for decisions to staff and others.
• Are able to effectively listen, empathize, and communicate verbally and in writing with diverse audiences who have a variety of communications and learning styles.
• Have successful experience in negotiation and healthy conflict, and good interpersonal relationship skills.
• Are self and culturally aware and comfortable having complex and uncomfortable discussions about racism, inequities, and other forms of harm in the workplace and are skilled and dedicated to bridging differing belief and value systems.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to serve as the representative of the Maintenance Section during legal proceedings. This may include providing legal declarations, depositions, and expert testimony.

REQUIREMENT

• Must possess (or be able to obtain) a valid Washington State driver's license or have alternative ability to attend meetings, including evening meetings, at various locations, which may not be easily accessible by public transportation.

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE: Those applicants who pass the initial screening will be invited to participate in a 15 minute phone interview the week of 4/15/24.

If you are selected to move forward after the phone interview, you will be invited for a 45-minute virtual interview the week of 4/22/24.

WHO MAY APPLY: This recruitment is open to all qualified applicants.

APPLICATION PROCESS: A full and complete King County application is required. You may also provide a resume and cover letter, summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more interviews.
WORK SCHEDULE: The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may at times require work outside of normal business hours. This position is Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION STATUS: This position has been designated First Responder - Employees who, in the early stages of an incident, are responsible for protecting and preserving life, property, evidence, the environment, and restoring order.
Unless otherwise directed by the County Executive, department director or agency head, all employees, regardless of designation, are expected to report to work or request leave during an emergency or inclement weather. For more detailed information, please visit HR Policy County Operations During Emergency Situations and the King County Guidelines for Workforce Management in an Emergency.

UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented

TELEWORKING REQUIREMENT
This is a hybrid position. The work associated with this position will be performed by teleworking, onsite work and meetings as needed. The responsibilities of this position will include regular and ongoing in-office work.
Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Erika Yanak
Senior Human Resources Analyst
206-477-0320
erika.yanak@kingcounty.gov
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement. Employment Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week