The City and Borough of Juneau has named Homer City Manager Katie Koester as the next director of the Public Works and Engineering Department, according to a press release from the city.

Koester will take up the position “at a future date,” the release said, replacing previous director Mike Vigue who retired earlier in December.

Koester has served as Homer’s city manager since 2015, the release said, and is working on a master’s in public administration at the University of Alaska Southeast.

“Public Works & Engineering is the backbone of municipal government. The department’s work provides safe travel, clean water, responsible stewardship of the environment,” Koester said in a statement. “Juneau is a thriving and vibrant capital city and I am looking forward to working with the (city) team, Assembly, and community to implement their vision for the future.”

Koester has also served as the City of Homer’s Community & Economic Development Coordinator. She has a Master of Political Science from the Pontific Catholic University of Chile and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Smith College, the release said.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at 523-2228 or psegall@juneauempire.com.