ABOUT MARIN COUNTY

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Department of Human Resources website.

The County of Marin is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, each representing one of five districts. The County employs approximately 2,500 employees across 22 departments. Equity is one of the County’s core values, and employees are committed to fostering an anti-racist, multicultural workforce that prioritizes accountability, transformational change, and community engagement.

The County has a long history of sound fiscal management; its approximately $866 million budget is balanced, structurally sound, and focused on advancing key community priorities including Infrastructure, Equity, Affordable Housing & Homelessness, Emergency Preparedness, Community & Economic Vitality, and Climate Change Adaptation.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Public Works is composed of more than 260 dedicated professionals who deliver a broad range of essential services, including transportation systems, flood control infrastructure, stormwater and environmental programs, capital project delivery, and general government support. Today, the Department is actively modernizing—embracing data-driven asset management, innovative project delivery methods, and emerging technologies to enhance efficiency, transparency, and service quality.

Department employees take pride in expanding both the quality and volume of services delivered, while advancing major infrastructure investments and strengthening long-term resilience. Through this transformation, Public Works continues to evolve as a trusted partner in local government, focused on continuous improvement and delivering high-quality services to the Marin County community.

The mission of the Marin County Department of Public Works is “To provide quality services and maintain and improve public infrastructure and facilities, while protecting Marin’s natural resources”. Read more about the Department of Public Works at

Advance Priorities. Align Efforts. Deliver Results.

The County of Marin is seeking a strategic, politically astute executive to serve as its next Assistant Director of Public Works – Regulatory & Environmental Programs.

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for aligning critical regulatory, environmental, and community-focused programs with Countywide projects and initiatives. The next Assistant Director will drive cross-functional alignment, integrate systems, and elevate how Marin delivers on infrastructure, climate resilience, and equitable services.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Marin County is at a pivotal moment. Climate change, housing pressures, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulatory requirements demand more integrated, strategic leadership. This role is central to that transformation—connecting programs that have historically operated independently and aligning them with the County’s highest priorities. The next Assistant Director will help shape how Marin County delivers smarter, more coordinated, and more impactful public services for years to come.

THE PORTFOLIO

This executive oversees a diverse and influential portfolio of programs:

• Land Development & Engineering Permits
  Enabling safe, compliant, and efficient development that supports housing, infrastructure, and community vitality.
• Countywide Disability Access (Americans with Disability Act and California Title 24)
  Advancing equitable access to programs, services, and facilities across all County departments.
• County Waste Management & Zero Waste Marin Joint Powers Authority
  Driving sustainability, waste reduction, and climate action through countywide policy and partnerships.
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs
  Ensuring Clean Water Act compliance while protecting Marin’s creeks, bays, and watersheds.
• Integrated Water Resources Program
  Leading development of a brand-new countywide program to strategically connect wet utility operations with flood resilience, watershed health, and climate adaptation.

THE OPPORTUNITY

To bridge organizational boundaries, you will:

• Embed regulatory and environmental programs into capital planning and delivery, including the Countywide Capital Improvement Program.
• Align programs with the County’s highest priority projects and initiatives.
• Strengthen regional partnerships with cities, towns, and joint powers authorities.
• Modernize systems, processes, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Executive Leader | Systems Thinker | Trusted Partner

You are a seasoned public sector leader who understands how to translate complex regulatory and environmental programs into meaningful community outcomes.

You bring:

• Strategic Integration Skills – Ability to connect programs, policies, and capital investments into cohesive systems.
• Political Acumen – Experience working with elected officials, boards, and diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational Leadership – Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams and complex portfolios.
• Regulatory Expertise – Knowledge of California Environmental Quality Act, stormwater permits, environmental compliance, and land development processes.
• Partnership Mindset – Skilled at building trust across agencies, jurisdictions, and communities.
• Change Leadership – Track record of aligning people, processes, and priorities to successfully implement strategic initiatives and deliver measurable results.

You will excel if you can:

• See both the big picture and operational details.
• Navigate complexity with sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Align technical programs with policy, equity, and community goals.
• Advance work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, aligning perspectives and maintaining momentum.
• Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership and management, including program development, implementation, and evaluation; goal setting; project management; personnel management; budget development management; and contract and grant negotiation and management.
• Civil engineering and construction design and management principles and practices.
• Land use, project design and construction and demographic, environmental and socio-economic concepts as applied to public works planning and operations.
• State and federal laws and regulations related to public agency construction and maintenance programs including highways and flood control projects.
• Basic principles and practices of facility and stationary engineering, installation, repair, and maintenance, among others related to assigned divisions.
• Applicable laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, and evaluate the functions of a variety of public works divisions; delegate and provide day-to-day administrative direction to supervisory staff.
• Develop, recommend, and implement goals, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide effective direct and indirect supervision of staff.
• Interpret, explain, and apply complex federal, state, and local laws related to the areas of responsibility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including representatives of other County departments, agencies, private contractors, engineers, architects, and with the public.
• Identify with and assist in implementing the overall objectives of the department as determined by departmental policies and directives.
• Use initiative and sound independent judgment within policy and procedural guidelines.
• Prioritize work, coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
• Make effective oral presentations and represent the County in meetings with other departments and organizations.
• Analyze and review staff reports and recommendations.
• Prepare and/or direct the preparation of accurate, concise, and effective technical and non-technical reports, policies, procedures, correspondence, and other materials.
• Direct the maintenance of accurate records and files.

The Department of Public Works offers two Assistant Director of Public Works – Regulatory & Environmental Programs classifications: one requiring a valid California Civil Professional Engineering (PE) license and one that does not.

Assistant Director of Public Works

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills. A typical way to qualify is graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in business or public administration, management, engineering, planning or a closely related field and five years of experience, which included experience in an assignment related to the work and two years of supervisory, management or administrative experience.

Assistant Director of Public Works - Engineering

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills. A typical way to qualify is graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a closely related field and five years of engineering experience which included two years of supervisory, management, or administrative experience.

Certificates and Licenses
Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for this classification may be required to successfully pass a background investigation including fingerprint and criminal history evaluation.

For any questions concerning this position announcement, please contact Stephen Schoengarth, Human Resources Analyst, at 415-473-6946.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill the current vacancy, and any future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions which may occur while the list remains active.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.