Department of Public Works: Essential Infrastructure and Community Support
Mission: The mission of the Department of Public Works is to sustain and improve the quality of life for North Slope Borough residents by delivering a comprehensive range of essential municipal services. Through strategic planning, efficient management, and robust infrastructure, the department ensures reliable services that support daily life, economic development, and community well-being across the region.
Overview: The Department of Public Works is the largest and most diverse department within the North Slope Borough, organized into eight divisions that collaborate to meet its mission. Each division plays a vital role in maintaining the Borough’s infrastructure, ensuring that essential services operate smoothly and efficiently across all communities. These divisions include Support Services, Equipment Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, Power Generation & Distribution, Fuel & Natural Gas, Roads, Airports & Sanitation, Water & Sewer, SA10, and the HBTC.
Enterprise & Energy Management
This category comprises two key divisions: Fuel & Natural Gas and Power Generation & Distribution.
- Fuel & Natural Gas (F&NG): This division ensures the delivery of energy-related services to North Slope residents. Core functions include fuel procurement and delivery, tank farm operations, and spill prevention and response capabilities. It also oversees the Barrow Gas Fields and maintains the Nuiqsut natural gas infrastructure, ensuring consistent energy access across the region.
- Power Generation & Distribution (PG&D): PG&D operates and maintains power plants and electric distribution systems across all seven villages in the Borough. By ensuring reliable electricity generation and distribution, this division supports residential, commercial, and industrial activities, and contributes to overall community resilience.
Utilities & Maintenance
This category consists of Equipment Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, and Water & Sewer.
- Equipment Maintenance (EM): EM ensures the optimal functioning of heavy and light-duty equipment essential for departmental tasks. Regular maintenance and repairs help sustain the department’s operations and support other critical services.
- Facility Maintenance (FM): FM handles the upkeep and repair of all North Slope Borough-owned facilities, excluding those under the School District. By collaborating with end users, this division implements an aggressive preventative maintenance program and identifies future facility upgrade needs to keep structures functional and safe.
- Water & Sewer (W&S): Responsible for the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment systems, W&S oversees piped distribution and collection networks across all villages. The division ensures safe, reliable water access and effective wastewater management, critical for public health and environmental protection.
Support Services
The backbone of the Department, Support Services includes Administration and Contract Management.
- Administration (Admin): This team provides essential fiscal management, payroll processing, purchasing, travel coordination, and administrative support, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
- Contract Management (CM): CM offers guidance on contract reviews and procurement procedures, helping to maintain transparent and efficient operations across the department’s various projects and initiatives.
SA10 / Industrial Development / HBTC: Service Area Ten (SA10)
Provides specialized utility and waste management services tailored to industrial clients in Prudhoe Bay, prioritizing safety and environmental compliance. This division manages key operational assets, including water and wastewater plants, the Service Area 10 Hotel, and the Oxbow Landfill, while facilitating the acquisition of new equipment to meet customer needs.
- Key Services:
- Ice Services: Essential for safe transport and operational continuity in Arctic conditions.
- Oxbow Landfill: Managed waste disposal, ensuring environmental safety and regulatory compliance.
- Water & Wastewater Plants: Support the efficient treatment and management of water resources for industrial operations.
- Hotel Services: Provides accommodations for workers and visitors in the Prudhoe Bay area, supporting the local workforce.
- Prudhoe Bay Area Liaison Office: Acts as a point of contact for coordination and communication with clients and stakeholders.
Roads, Airports & Sanitation
The Roads, Airports & Sanitation (RA&S) division is integral to maintaining essential transport and waste management infrastructure across the North Slope Borough.
- Road Maintenance: Ensures year-round accessibility and safety of road networks across all North Slope communities, vital for local mobility and emergency response.
- Airport Maintenance: Repairs and maintains NSB-owned airports, facilitating safe and reliable air transport, which is crucial given the remoteness of many communities.
- Sanitation Services: Manages solid waste collection, disposal, and operation of landfills, including the Class II and Class III facilities. The division also operates the Barrow Thermal Oxidation System and provides potable water truck delivery with ADEC-certified equipment, ensuring community health standards are upheld.
Commitment to the Community
The Department of Public Works stands as a cornerstone of community infrastructure in the North Slope Borough. Its diverse divisions work together to sustain essential services that improve quality of life, foster economic development, and enhance regional connectivity. Whether through energy management, facility maintenance, or waste and water treatment, the department’s comprehensive approach ensures that all residents, from small villages to industrial hubs, receive reliable and effective services.
Future Goals
Moving forward, the Department of Public Works aims to continue expanding and upgrading infrastructure, embracing new technologies, and maintaining sustainable practices. The department is committed to delivering resilient services that can adapt to the evolving needs of the North Slope communities, from managing harsh weather conditions to supporting industrial growth.
Contact
Scott K. Danner, Director
Phone Number: (907) 852-0489
Fax Number: (907) 852-0251
Robert Terzioski, Deputy Director of Utilities & Maintenance
Phone Number: (907) 852-0489
Fax Number: (907) 852-0251
George Ahmaogak Jr., Deputy Director of Roads, Airports & Sanitation
Phone Number: (907) 852-0489
Fax Number: (907) 852-0251
James Aiken, Deputy Director of Enterprises & Energy Management
Phone Number: (907) 852-0489
Fax Number: (907) 852-0251
