Port Director

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
City of Unalaska
DEPARTMENT OF PORTS AND HARBORS

Open Date:   September 9, 2025
Close Date:    September 22, 2025
Position:         Port Director
Position Hiring Range: $169,121 - $189,024/year

Position Salary Range: $169,121 - $236,778/year

The City of Unalaska is accepting applications for Port Director in the Department of Ports and Harbors.  Located in the central Aleutian Islands, Unalaska, Alaska, is a multicultural coastal community of approximately 4,250 full-time residents and is home to the number one commercial fishing port in the United States, the International Port of Dutch Harbor.

The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by

employees in this classification. The duties shown are designed to provide a representative summary.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This position is responsible for the overall administration of the Ports, Harbors, and the Tom Madsen Airport. The self-sustaining Port Department is managed within two (2) proprietary funds, the budgets of which are approved by the Unalaska City Council. The Director of Ports ensures all department operations are in environmental and regulatory compliance; also achieves economic growth and development through maximizing existing assets and planning for new opportunities and improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises all matters related to the management, planning, operation, engineering and maintenance of the City’s port and airport facilities and systems.
• Provides leadership and management in attracting, retaining and developing department staff.
• Leads the economic growth of the Port, via lease and use agreements, infrastructure improvements, and user program improvements.
• Researches, recommends, develops and implements policy and procedures for operational effectiveness.
• Conducts regular financial and marketing analyses and research; prepares the budget and long range planning for the department.
• Ensures the City is in compliance with applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards related to maritime facilities.
• Represents the Port & Harbors Department to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive Port & Harbors program.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of marine facilities management, including but not limited to the development and implementation of facility operating and maintenance plans, rate studies and tariff revisions, marketing plan development, records management and report preparations.
• Knowledge of advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, and techniques of port and harbors administration, organization and operation.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, maritime management or related field. Eight (8) years experience, with at least three (3) years of harbor operations and three (3) years of executive level experience. Prior capital project management required. Five (5) years experience managing staff, prefer some experience managing union employees. Prefer Alaskan maritime experience; construction management and/or marine engineering.

LICENSES & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Facility Security Officer Certification; prefer Hazwopper, NIMS (National Incident Management System) Certification and First Aid/CPR

BENEFITS:

• 100% employer-paid medical premiums (employee & dependents)
• 100% employer-paid basic life/AD&D insurance (employee & dependents)
• 100% employer-paid medevac insurance (employee)
• Up to a $10,000 hiring bonus
• Up to $10,000 in relocation assistance
• Annual travel allowance of $2,500 after the first year of employment
• Personal Leave Accrual starting at 16 hours a month
• 9 holidays and 4 floating holidays per year
• Longevity bonus starting on the 3rd year of employment
• Eligible for Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement
• Eligible for 457 Plans with MissionSquare and Mutual of America
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) -  Employees can utilize the Health FSA for up to $3,300 per plan year and the Dependent Care FSA for up to $5,000 per plan year (optional benefit)
• Free membership for Parks, Culture, and Recreation (employee only)
• City-owned vehicle to drive for work and personal use
• City-owned employee housing may be available for rent

TO APPLY:

Submit the following application documents:

1.   Cover Letter
2.   Resume
3.   City of Unalaska Application Form
4.   Pre-employment Info. & Voluntary Identification of Disability Form (optional)

All necessary forms are available at City Hall, Administration Department, or by downloading at https://www.ci.unalaska.ak.us/hr/page/employment-application-forms. 

Please return the completed forms to the City of Unalaska: Administration P.O Box 610, Unalaska, AK 99685, or email [email protected] or fax (907) 581 4469.

Questions? Please call us at (907) 581-1252.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER