MARYSVILLE — The changes happened unofficially last month, but the city now has formally announced several promotions among the top ranks at City Hall.

Firstly, with the unanimous approval of City Council arriving last week, former public works director Paul Roberts has stepped into an executive position at City Hall.

Prior to the Council vote, Roberts said his primary responsibility will be serving as an assistant to Mayor Dennis Kendall and Chief Administrative Officer Mary Swenson. He added the change is part of an overall plan to grow the city public works department and that one of his first duties will be helping with the upcoming annexation of the Marysville Urban Growth Area.

Roberts also serves as an Everett City Council member along with sitting on various area-wide boards and commissions.

City Community Information Officer Doug Buell said in his new Marysville position, Roberts will provide technical assistance on various issues, including city management, operations and intergovernmental affairs. His duties also will include research and planning on a variety of city projects. Buell mentioned as key among those projects the proposal to develop a new, centralized Marysville municipal center.

Roberts became the city’s public works director in 2005. Moving up to take his former spot is city engineer and assistant public works director, Kevin Nielsen. In turn, the city has filled Nielsen’s engineering and assistant position with review engineer John Cowling.

Nielsen has served as assistant public works director since 2006, while continuing in the city engineer role he took on in 2003.

Swenson said Nielsen is up to the task of leading Marysville’s public works department. She cited Nielsen as playing a key role in several major road projects, in development of the surface water drainage system in northern Marysville and in modifications to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

“The organization and entire city are benefiting from Kevin’s knowledge, commitment, skill and can-do attitude,” Swenson said.

Cowling joined City Hall in 2005 after serving for five years as a project engineer for Sammamish. In Marysville, Cowling has been involved with updating various design and development standards and reviewing major projects such as the Lakewood Crossing shopping plaza.

“Being promoted to city engineer is a career opportunity with new challenges and experiences that I am very much looking forward to,” Cowling said.