POULSBO — Poulsbo’s newest Public Works director has officially stepped into the job. Barry Loveless, who comes to the city from Kitsap County’s Public Works department, started his new posting May 12, and will work side-by-side with outgoing director Jeff Bauman until Bauman’s retirement at the end of the month.

Loveless, 48, retired from Kitsap Naval Base, Bangor in 2005 after 25 years as a civil engineer core officer in the Navy. He’s originally from Tennessee, and earned a master’s degree from Georgia Tech University. Loveless and his wife live with their two kids in the greater Poulsbo area. He previously worked as the county’s wastewater utility manager for more than two years.

In an interview last week, Loveless said he’s ready to take over where Bauman has guided the department. Some of their focus projects include the completion of functional infrastructure plans, identifying long-term funding for the sewer system and planning ahead for future water consumption needs.

As Loveless takes the department’s top seat, Bauman said he’s ready for retirement, and “boredom is not on the program.” He and his wife Denise — a local volunteer for several organizations — will be hitting the outdoors, and Bauman said he’ll likely get some projects done around the house. He also plans to volunteer. Bauman, 60, served as the department’s director for two years.

Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade said Bauman’s talents will be missed by city staffers.

“He has been an incredible, steadying influence on the department,” she said. “He’s definitely brought us forward and gotten us set on a path in terms of accomplishing the things we need to get done.”

Another project Bauman said he’ll leave in Loveless’ hands: finding a new Public Works location.

The department is now housed across Lincoln Road from the Poulsbo Library, near Centennial Park.

After the city announced Loveless’ hiring, Council Member Ed Stern said the city saved nearly $29,000 by doing its own search, instead of employing an outside firm.

According to city Human Resources Manager Deanna Kingery, the Public Works director position has an annual salary scale of $77,381-$89,706.