Planning and Operations Manager na City of Shoreline, WA

About the Department

This is a unique opportunity to join the City of Shoreline’s Public Works Department as our new Planning and Operations Manager (a position subject to the City Council's approval on October 6). Shoreline is a vibrant and growing community just north of Seattle—one that embraces change, is not afraid to take on challenges, and is committed to sustainability and being a welcoming place for all. Our Public Works Department is proud to be APWA-accredited, reflecting our ongoing commitment to learning, innovation, and continuously improving the services we provide in an efficient and effective way. This newly created position will play a key role in advancing operational efficiencies, leading the development of our asset management program, and supporting the long-term planning and delivery of services across transportation, wastewater, and surface water systems.

Why Work for Shoreline? Shoreline has been ranked multiple times as one of the most livable cities in America. The 2024 resident satisfaction survey reported that 95% of residents feeling Shoreline is a welcoming and inclusive community, 89% agreed it is good or excellent as a place to live and 85% rated the city as good or excellent as a place to raise children. 

The City’s strategic framework, made up of its vision, mission, and values, guides City employees in day-to-day work. The City's mission is to fulfill the community’s vision by delivering quality and accessible public services responsibly, equitably, and efficiently.  If you are a candidate with the desire to serve and make a difference in local government, join us! 

According to the 2023 employee satisfaction survey, City employees had a clear understanding of how their job fits with the mission of the City. Their job gave them the opportunity to use their own judgment and initiative, and their job kept them challenged and provided them with opportunities to try new things.

Competitive Wages: We maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees. (The January 1, 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment of 2.683% is pending the City Council's approval on November 17, resulting in a range of $157,813 - $192,003 annually for this position.)

Comprehensive Benefits: The City offers competitive benefits, including Student Loan Forgiveness, that are unmatched by most other employers. The City creates an environment that supports wellness practices which enhance the quality of life for City employees, and encourage and incentivize participation in an employee wellness program. Please click on the benefits tab above for details. 

DEFINITION
The Public Works Planning and Operations Manager is responsible for realizing the vision of a welcoming, equitable, sustainable, and safe community through responsible management and development of the transportation, wastewater, and surface water systems provided by the Public Works (PW) Department. This position is responsible for leading the development and implementation of asset management strategies that support the full lifecycle of public infrastructure assets, guiding the development of master plans, and for overseeing operational functions to ensure efficient and effective system operations, and regulatory compliance. This position serves as the departmental lead for asset ownership, aligning service delivery, data systems, departmental business processes, and organizational capacity to achieve the department’s mission and vision.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from assigned management staff.

Provides direction to and administrative supervision over assigned staff.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1. Lead and manage the planning and system operation functions across the full asset lifecycle for the City’s Public Infrastructure including Transportation, Surface Water and Wastewater lines of service.
2. Oversee the development and implementation of the department’s asset management policies and strategy, including asset inventories, condition assessments, levels of service, and risk-based prioritization.
3. Lead, oversee, and support the development and implementation of master plans across all lines of service—ensuring alignment with community priorities, financial sustainability, and Council policy direction. This includes guiding rate studies, developing long-term financial strategies, facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, and integrating prioritizations into capital planning and service delivery.
4. Apply strategic thinking to assess long-term infrastructure needs and develop sustainable funding strategies that support operations, maintenance, and capital investments across all lines of services including rates, bond issuance, grants, and other revenue sources
5. Coordinate and implement strategies to understand community needs, respond to public concerns, and improve communication and outreach related to public infrastructure services.
6. Collaborate across PW Divisions and City Departments to periodically update and manage key asset management plans. 
7. Lead continuous improvement efforts for work management processes, service delivery models, and decision-making frameworks related to public infrastructure.
8. Manage consultant contracts and special projects that support planning, policy development, and implementation of asset management initiatives.
9. Lead, support and oversee the operating budgets for the assigned lines of service.        
10. Collaborate to develop and monitor the Six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) including prioritization and schedule for project delivery, guide and support planning studies, options analysis prior to beginning design and potential grant strategies.
11. Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and levels of service (LOS) to evaluate and improve infrastructure performance, operational efficiency and guide budget development and/or funding strategies. 
12. Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including City leadership, staff, the public, and regulatory agencies, to ensure transparency and alignment in planning and service delivery.
13. Lead and/or support the review and development of policy, code and standards.
14. Represent the department in regional, intergovernmental, and professional forums to foster collaboration, share best practices, and advance organizational goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of Public Works functions such as utilities and/or transportation systems.
• Knowledge of master planning including defining community priorities, rate studies and/or funding strategies, developing policy direction/recommendation and council approval.
• Understanding of asset management principles and practices, including ISO 55000 standards and lifecycle planning.
• Knowledge of infrastructure systems, particularly in transportation, wastewater, and surface water.
• Familiarity with capital improvement planning, preventative maintenance strategies, and service delivery models.
• Understanding of municipal budgeting and financial planning related to operations and infrastructure.
• Knowledge of data management systems, including GIS, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and asset databases.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations and standards, including environmental, safety, and public works codes.
• Familiarity with performance measurement frameworks, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and levels of service (LOS). 
• Understanding of techniques and practices for risk management.
• Understanding of municipal government, job-related laws/regulations, including basic employment laws, funding structures, communication with the public and City Councils.

Skills in:

• Strategic planning and systems thinking to align long-term asset needs with operational capabilities.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate asset conditions, risk, and cost-benefit scenarios.
• Project and program management, including scheduling, budgeting, and managing consultant work.
• Facilitation and decision-making skills to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive consensus.
• Technical writing and documentation skills, particularly for reports, plans, and policy documents.
• Process improvement for planning, maintenance, and service delivery.
• Supervisory practices, including hiring, training, and performance management (appraisal, disciplinary actions and procedures).
• Leadership, teamwork and mentoring team members.

Ability to:

• Participate and work effectively in an organization committed to advancing principles and practices of equity and anti-racism.
• Synthesize technical, operational, and financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Manage competing priorities and balance long-term planning with urgent operational needs.
• Work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, including working with leadership, engineering, finance, and maintenance staff.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and data-informed decision making.
• Communicate effectively including using plain language for technical issues for a variety of audiences including the public, Council, staff.

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in public works, asset management, infrastructure planning, or municipal operations.

Two or more years of supervisory or management experience, including overseeing technical or operations staff.

Training:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering, public administration, urban planning, or a related field.

License or Certificate:
Additional certification or licensure such as Professional Engineer (PE), Public Works Supervisor or Manager through APWA, Project Management Professional (PMP) is desirable.

Other Qualifications

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a standard office setting with exposure to computer screens.  Work is performed typically while seated, standing, or walking at will. Occasional evening  or after hours meetings are required. Some travel within the service area is required. 

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions may require walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly using hands to grasp objects, frequently finger/keyboarding. 

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY
This position is eligible for remote work. The City’s remote work policy, Employees Working Remotely, requires staff in positions eligible for remote work to work onsite a minimum of four days per pay period (every two weeks) however, during the 6-month orientation period OR during your first 6 months of employment it is expected that all work will be performed at the assigned City’s location. Full-time remote work is not an option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington.

APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS 
To demonstrate skills and interest, please complete the application and provide answers to the Supplemental Questions which will help us determine your qualifications for the job.  

Cover Letter is required for this application. Please submit a cover letter describing why you are interested in this position, and how your skills and experience have prepared you for this role in leading planning and operations functions and building asset management capacity across transportation, surface water and/or wastewater services.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

• Review of applications:  Week of October 27
• Phone interviews (if needed): Week of November 3 
• Panel interviews: Week of November 17
• Second interviews: Week of December 1
• Background and/or reference checks: December 1
• Targeted start date: January 2, 2026

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