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City Public Works Department Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Billings, MT

Public Works Director

Billings, MT · On-site

$145K - $194K/yr

City Hall, 316 N 26th St., Billings, MT 59101 Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 202500183 Department: Public Works Department Division: Public Works Administration Opening Date: 07/23/2026 "Applicants ...

City of Billings

$145K - $194K/yr

Under general administrative direction, to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department; to coordinate assigned activities with other City ...

City of Umatilla (OR)

Public Works Director

Umatilla, OR · On-site

$115K - $141K/yr

Provides advice and counsel to City Manager and implements directives; represents the department ... Works with the public and establishes new boards or committees in order to find solutions to issues ...

City of Goleta

Public Works Inspector

Goleta, CA · On-site

ABOUT THE POSITION The Public Works Inspector performs field and technical inspections for a ... Coordinates activities with other City departments, utilities, developers, agencies, and the public ...

Goleta, City of (CA)

Public Works Inspector

Goleta, CA

$42.02 - $53.63/hr

ABOUT THE POSITION The Public Works Inspector performs field and technical inspections for a ... Coordinates activities with other City departments, utilities, developers, agencies, and the public ...

City of Goleta, CA

Public Works Inspector

Goleta, CA · On-site

$42.02 - $53.63/hr

City Hall, 130 Cremona Drive, Goleta, CA Job Type: Full time, non-exempt Job Number: 2026-024 Department: PUBLIC WORKS Opening Date: 08/07/2026 Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Description ...

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How much do city public works department jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for city public works department in the United States is $24.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a City Public Works Department?

A City Public Works Department is a municipal government agency responsible for maintaining and improving a city's infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public buildings, water supply, sewage systems, and sometimes parks and public spaces. The department oversees construction projects, repairs, waste management, and street cleaning. Public works employees ensure that essential services are provided efficiently and safely to support the daily needs of residents and businesses. Their work helps maintain public health, safety, and quality of life in the community.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working in a City Public Works Department?

Employees in a City Public Works Department often encounter challenges such as managing multiple projects with tight deadlines, adapting to changing regulations, and responding quickly to emergency infrastructure issues like water main breaks or severe weather events. Working in this department typically involves close collaboration with other city agencies and community members to ensure public safety and efficient service delivery. Balancing long-term infrastructure planning with day-to-day maintenance needs can be demanding, but it offers valuable experience in problem-solving and teamwork within a dynamic municipal environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a City Public Works Department, and why are they important?

To thrive in a City Public Works Department, you need a background in civil engineering, construction management, or related fields, often supported by relevant degrees or certifications. Familiarity with GIS software, CAD systems, project management tools, and compliance with safety and environmental regulations is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills help manage projects and coordinate with stakeholders. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable development and maintenance of public infrastructure vital to community well-being.

What is the difference between City Public Works Department vs City Public Works Technician?

AspectCity Public Works DepartmentCity Public Works Technician
CredentialsVaries; often includes relevant certifications or licensesHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentMunicipal facilities, outdoor construction sites, maintenance areasFieldwork outdoors, maintenance, repair, and installation tasks
Employer & Industry UsageCity government, public infrastructure managementCity government, infrastructure maintenance teams
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The City Public Works Department oversees the planning, maintenance, and operation of city infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public facilities. The City Public Works Technician typically performs hands-on maintenance, repairs, and installation tasks within the department. While the department manages overall operations, technicians are the frontline workers executing specific tasks. Both roles are essential for maintaining city infrastructure and often work closely together.

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What states have the most City Public Works Department jobs?

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What job categories do people searching City Public Works Department jobs look for?

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City Public Works Department jobs near you
Infographic showing various City Public Works Department job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,420 per year, or $24.2 per hour.

Director of Public Works

City of Lancaster, TX

Lancaster, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : 211 N. Henry St., Lancaster, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 1803-2026-1
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Summary
The City of Lancaster is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Director of Public Works.
Reporting to the Assistant City Manager, the Director of Public Works provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the City's Public Works Department, includingStormwater, Streets, Water, and Wastewater operations. This position plays an important role in advancing the City's strategic goals, supporting priorities established by City Council, strengthening essential infrastructure, developing employees, and delivering quality services to the Lancaster community.
The Director will provide leadership and direction for Public Works operations while balancing immediate service needs with the City's long-term infrastructure priorities. This position requires a leader who can confidently navigate strategic planning, operational leadership, employee development, budget management, project implementation, public communication, and presentations before City Council.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
  • Strong executive and organizational leadership.
  • Experience leading, developing, and building effective teams.
  • Strategic planning, sound judgment, and strong problem-solving abilities.
  • Effective financial and resource management.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • The ability to effectively communicate with City leadership, elected officials, employees, residents, customers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
  • The ability to build productive relationships across departments and throughout the community.
  • Professionalism, diplomacy, integrity, accountability, and composure.
A commitment to teamwork, continuous improvement, employee development, and exceptional public
Lead with PRIDE
At the City of Lancaster, our employees take PRIDE in the services we provide and the community we serve.
Productivity - Place accountability, authority, tools, and information into the hands of employees closest to the customer to achieve superior results.
Resourcefulness - Provide internal and external customers a cost-effective return for citizens' tax dollars while encouraging innovation, responsible risk-taking, and continuous process improvement.
Integrity - Be ethically and morally responsible, remain accountable for your conduct, and be proud of the work that has your name on it.
Dedication - Complete your role with passion, professionalism, loyalty, and commitment to the success of others.
Excellence - Work together to build trust, capitalize on creative talents, share ideas, and create a high-performing organization.
As Director of Public Works, you will have the opportunity to lead these values by example, empower employees, strengthen City operations, and help enhance the quality of life in Lancaster.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provides overall leadership, direction, coordination, and management of the Public Works Department and its operations.
  • Assists the City Manager's Office in accomplishing the City's strategic plan and goals as directed by City Council.
  • Develops and provides departmental budgets to the City Manager's Office for final review and revision.
  • Prepares and presents projects, resolutions, and ordinances to City Council in collaboration with the City Manager's Office and City Attorney.
  • Responds to and provides support in matters involving litigation and personnel issues.
  • Responds to inquiries from City Council, the City Manager's Office, other departments, residents, customers, and other stakeholders.
  • Provides leadership to division managers through regular meetings focused on team building, issue resolution, strategic planning, project execution, and performance accountability.
  • Assists in the implementation of annual maintenance projects in collaboration with Engineering and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and in accordance with citywide master plans for Water, Wastewater, Streets, and Stormwater.
  • Directs, coordinates, and evaluates departmental operations and supervisory staff in accordance with City policies and applicable laws.
  • Provides leadership in interviewing, hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, addressing employee concerns, and resolving problems.
  • Develops employees through coaching, performance feedback, professional development, clear expectations, and accountability.
  • Establishes high performance standards and works to identify and remove barriers to departmental goals and objectives.
  • Promotes teamwork and collaboration by communicating openly, sharing information, supporting team objectives, and recognizing employee contributions.
  • Manages priorities, resources, and departmental activities to support organizational objectives and cost-effective service delivery.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve work processes, departmental performance, and service delivery.
  • Builds and maintains productive relationships with City departments, community stakeholders, and other individuals or organizations that support departmental and City objectives.
  • Communicates clearly and effectively when presenting technical, operational, financial, or organizational information to City leadership, City Council, public groups, and other audiences.
  • Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or five to seven years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A Master's degree is highly preferred.
The successful candidate should possess the leadership, communication, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities necessary to successfully direct a complex Public Works operation.
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to:
  • Define problems, collect and evaluate information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Develop and implement strategies to accomplish departmental and organizational objectives.
  • Effectively manage competing priorities, resources, projects, and operational responsibilities.
  • Lead, coach, and develop employees while establishing clear performance expectations.
  • Read, analyze, and interpret technical, financial, and legal information.
  • Respond effectively to inquiries or concerns from customers, regulatory agencies, members of the business community, and other stakeholders.
  • Effectively present information to City leadership, City Council, public groups, and other audiences.
  • Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both verbally and in writing.
  • Exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, accountability, and professionalism when addressing complex organizational or operational matters.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the use of computers, printers, scanners, and job-related software is expected. Familiarity with job-related software such as STW is preferred.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
A valid Driver's License is required.
The City of Lancaster offer a complete benefits packeage to full-time employees which includes: health care; paid holidays, vacation time, sick leave, retirement, longevity, tuition reimbersemet and more.
To learn more details, vist our
01
Which of the following best describes your education and/or related experience?
  • None of the above
  • An equivalent combination of education and related experience/training
  • Five to seven years of related experience and/or training
  • Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university

02
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

03
How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in public works, infrastructure, utilities, municipal operations, or a closely related field?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3-4 years
  • 5-7 years
  • 8-10 years
  • More than 10 years

04
Which best describes your level of leadership or management experience?
  • I do not have formal supervisory or management experience.
  • I have served in a department head, director, or executive-level leadership role.
  • I have managed multiple divisions, programs, or operational areas.
  • I have managed a division, program, or operational area.
  • I have served as a supervisor or team lead.

05
How many years of supervisory or management experience do you have?
  • Less than 2 years
  • 2-4 years
  • 5-7 years
  • 8-10 years
  • More than 10 years

06
Which Public Works or related operational areas have you been responsible for overseeing?
  • Water
  • Wastewater
  • Streets
  • Stormwater
  • Metering/Utility Operations
  • Engineering
  • Capital Improvement Projects
  • Facilities or other municipal infrastructure
  • Other related Public Works function
  • I have not directly overseen any of the areas listed above

Required Question

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