EPHRATA — Will Koziol, a member of the City of Ephrata’s Public Works Department, has been honored with the prestigious Pillars of Excellence award, recognizing him as Employee of the Year. With three years of service to the city, Koziol has made significant contributions to the community and earned the respect of his peers for his work ethic, leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to public service, according to his supervisor Stephen Grout.  

Previously a UPS driver, Koziol transitioned to a role in public works, seeking a career that offered greater stability for himself and his family.  

“The schedule is pretty hard as a driver – you don’t know when you’re getting off,” Koziol said.  

He applied for his current position and was assigned to the street department. Since then, he has filled in the gaps left by previous supervisors and has embraced his duties with vigor, he said.  

Having been recognized as Employee of the Year for his contributions, Koziol expressed humility regarding the accolade.

“I feel like that’s pretty big shoes to fill,” he said. “There are a lot of great employees here that work hard. I almost feel like I didn’t deserve it in some way. I guess I’m just trying to live up to it.” 

Koziol’s commitment to servicing the public and maintaining the city’s infrastructure has made a tangible impact on Ephrata, according to Grout.  

As part of his daily responsibilities, he oversees critical tasks such as sewer flushing and street sweeping, especially in response to the seasonal challenges presented by falling leaves.  

Koziol highlighted a recent project involving road repairs, saying, “A lot of the ones that we chip sealed were problem roads. Time will tell how they hold up, but they are much better than what they were.” 

Grout, Koziol’s supervisor, recalls the moment he decided to nominate Will for the award. 

“For me, it was a no-brainer,” Grout said. “He has stepped up since he’s been the interim foreman in Streets, and I didn’t even hesitate to nominate him. I knew I should right away when they offered the chance to do it.” 

Grout commended Koziol for his integrity and ability to maintain composure under pressure. 

“He is honest, trustworthy, and he cares about his work,” Grout said. “He does the right thing, even when things go haywire. He can lead others, and that’s crucial in our line of work.” 

This past year, Ephrata’s Public Works Department faced several challenges, managing extensive road repairs and infrastructure projects that tested their team’s capabilities. Yet the camaraderie within the department has shone through. When Grout sustained an injury earlier this year, Koziol took over the street department’s operations without hesitation.  

“Will basically took charge and took care of everything,” Grout said. “He only had to call me a couple of times throughout the whole thing, and it was amazing.” 

The positive feedback from the community regarding the recent roadwork is a testament to the team’s dedication, with residents expressing appreciation for the visible improvements made throughout the city.

“They look great,” Koziol said, reflecting on the community’s reaction. “I haven’t really heard anything negative about it.” 

Koziol’s ability to work seamlessly with his coworkers is another factor contributing to his recognition. He emphasized the importance of teamwork. 

“My coworkers motivate me. I just try to match their energy,” he said.  

Grout echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of communication and collaboration in their work.  

“If there are any questions, the staff is free to ask,” he said. “There’s no dumb questions. We’re here to work together.” 

As he looks forward, Koziol is excited about upcoming projects such as the storm pit work the department is set to undertake, and he continues to emphasize his commitment to serving the public.  

“You’ve got to want to work with people and be around people,” he said. 

City Administrator Ray Towry said the award was well deserved. Towry said this is the first time the city has given out the award.  

“He deserved it. In a time where we had a gap in leadership, it wasn’t asked and he just stepped up. He just did what needed to be done to continue to be done to serve the community,” Towry said. “Will just took the bull by the horns and made it all happen and he continues to do that.” 

    Public Works Employee Will Koziol is the first to receive the City of Ephrata’s Pillars of Excellence Award.