ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Public Works Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Equix, Inc.

Entry-Level Field Technician

Laurel, MD · On-site

$19.50 - $26.75/hr

... industry, to both the public and private sectors. Our team of professionals have decades of ... works. We do what we say, the FIRST time. * Customer and Stakeholder Support - We support and ...

Asplundh

Bucket Operator Union CDL Required

Herndon, VA · On-site

$18.25 - $24.50/hr

Safeguards employees and the public from hazards in and around the work area. * Sets up barriers ... High School Diploma or equivalent preferred. * Entry-level position, no experience required.

Fairfax County

Administrative Assistant V

Fairfax, VA

$55K - $96K/yr

Works with the DAHS PR Business Analyst and CSB Informatics staff to maintain EHR system settings ... Accounting Performs duties requiring entry level professional knowledge of basic accounting ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPublic Works JobsEntry Level Public Works JobsEntry Level Public Works Jobs in Washington

Entry Level Public Works information

See Washington salary details

$14

$27

$50

How much do entry level public works jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level public works in Washington is $27.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $31.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level public works employee?

To thrive as an Entry Level Public Works employee, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic construction or maintenance knowledge, and a willingness to learn on the job. Familiarity with hand and power tools, safety equipment, and sometimes a valid driver’s license or commercial driving certification are commonly required. Dependability, teamwork, and communication skills are vital soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure tasks are performed safely, efficiently, and collaboratively, supporting the effective maintenance of public infrastructure.

What do entry level public works employees do?

As an Entry Level Public Works employee, you can expect to assist with a variety of tasks that support the maintenance and improvement of public infrastructure. Your daily responsibilities may include repairing roads, maintaining parks, cleaning public spaces, and assisting with the setup of community events. You’ll often work outdoors as part of a team, collaborating with more experienced staff and learning about equipment operation and safety protocols. This role provides valuable hands-on experience and can serve as a stepping stone to advanced positions within the public works department.

What is the difference between Entry Level Public Works vs Entry Level Civil Engineering Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Public WorksEntry Level Civil Engineering Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require relevant certificationsHigh school diploma; some positions may prefer coursework in engineering or related fields
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, construction sites, municipal facilitiesOffice settings, field inspections, project sites
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipal governments, public agencies, construction firmsEngineering firms, government agencies, consulting companies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Public Works roles typically involve fieldwork and maintenance tasks within municipal or public sector settings, often requiring certifications or relevant experience. Entry Level Civil Engineering Assistants focus more on supporting engineering projects, with some roles requiring coursework in engineering. Both roles are common starting points in the public infrastructure industry, but they differ mainly in work environment and specific credentials.

What is an entry level public works job?

Entry Level Public Works jobs are positions within government or municipal agencies focused on maintaining and improving public infrastructure and services. These roles often include tasks such as sanitation, road maintenance, water and sewage management, and supporting construction projects. Entry level positions typically require minimal prior experience and may involve on-the-job training. They offer a starting point for individuals interested in public service, infrastructure, or community improvement. Working in public works can lead to career advancement as you gain experience and additional certifications.
What are the most commonly searched types of Public Works jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Public Works jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Public Works jobs in Washington? For Entry Level Public Works jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Public Works jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Public Works jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Entry Level Public Works jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Entry Level Public Works job openings:
Entry Level Public Works jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Public Works job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,105 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Public Works Maintenance Worker I -Water/Streets (A4)

City of Annapolis, MD

Annapolis, MD • On-site

$36K - $58K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Salary: $36,339.00 - $58,213.00 Annually
Location : Annapolis
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600248
Department: Water Distribution (Utilities)
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Summary
The City of Annapolis is seeking a dependable, motivated, and hardworking individual to fill the entry-level role of Public Works Maintenance Worker I. Under the immediate supervision of an Equipment Operator III or Utility Supervisor, this position performs a wide variety of essential manual tasks involved in the maintenance, repair, and construction of municipal infrastructure.
Incumbents will work within a well-defined framework of established safety and operating procedures, gaining valuable cross-training across multiple divisions, including streets, storm drains, water/sewer systems, city facilities, and parks. As a flexibly staffed classification, this role serves as an excellent gateway to a long-term, skilled career in municipal public works.
Although individual positions may be assigned to specialized work units, incumbents in this job class are expected to be cross-trained and fully functional in all areas of public works activities and assignments. Positions within this job class are flexibly staffed.
*The City of Annapolis Department of Public Works is currently filling multiple vacancies for this role within two primary areas: the Streets Division and the Water Division.
Essential Job Functions
  • Infrastructure Maintenance: Assists with the maintenance and construction of sidewalks, streets, sewers, water mains, and drainage networks. Cleans gutters, culverts, catch basins, and sewer lines.
  • Street Repair Operations: Patches roadways by shoveling asphalt mix, placing materials, and tamping. Operates hand-powered tools and specialized heavy equipment, such as jackhammers, under direction.
  • Public Grounds & Facilities Care: Mows municipal lawns using hand power mowers, rakes leaves, cuts brush, and assists with landscaping/groundskeeping. Empties public trash cans in the downtown area and clears debris from water at the City dock.
  • Operational Logistics: Loads and unloads heavy cargo, including gravel, stone, dirt, asphalt, pipes, timber, and equipment. Drives trucks and transport vehicles to and from work sites.
  • Semi-Skilled Trade Support: Assists skilled tradespeople with plumbing, carpentry, electrical, automotive repair, and concrete work by lifting materials, mixing cement, preparing tools, and running critical errands.
  • Emergency & Seasonal Response: Shovels snow, spreads salt, and clears public sidewalks, gutters, and streets by hand to maintain safe public access.
  • System Operations Support: Safely opens and closes heavy manholes, removes storm drain grates, and assists rodding crews with structural sewer cleanouts.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Municipal Operations: Ability to learn the City of Annapolis's standard safety practices, department-specific policies, and water/sewer treatment and distribution system workflows.
  • Equipment Proficiency: Willingness to learn how to operate light to heavy motorized construction vehicles and hand-powered equipment safely and effectively.
  • Physical Stamina: Capacity to perform demanding, continuous physical labor under all outdoor weather extremes.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Ability to understand and carry out simple oral and written instructions, maintain basic logs/records, and establish positive working relationships with coworkers and the public.

Minimum Requirements:
  • Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate.
  • Experience: 6 to 12 months of verifiable experience performing heavy manual labor.
  • Industry Background: Some prior experience working within the construction, utility maintenance, groundskeeping, or landscaping industries.
  • Licensure: Possession of a valid State of Maryland motor vehicle operator's license.
  • Language Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to comprehend, speak, read, and write in English.
Special Conditions:
  • Safety-Sensitive Designation: Because duties in this position can directly affect the safety of the employee, coworkers, and the public, this position is subject to pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing.

Employment Conditions
Employment Conditions & Working Environment
  • Environmental Demands: Work is performed almost exclusively outdoors year-round in extreme weather conditions (heat, rain, snow, and freezing temperatures).
  • Physical Demands: Requires continuous physical agility and exceptional strength sufficient to lift, carry, and maneuver heavy tools and materials, such as manhole covers and storm drain grates.
  • Sensory Abilities: Must possess adequate vision to safely operate trucks and equipment during daytime and nighttime hours, and sufficient hearing/speaking abilities to communicate via two-way radio and telephone

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The City of Annapolis Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment against any person seeking employment or employed in the civil service because of any consideration of political or religious affiliation or belief, race, color, sex, age, family status, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Summary of Benefits for AFSCME CLERICAL & TECH #3162
Work Hours: Minimum 35 hour work week, depending upon department operations.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per calendar year.
Personal Leave: 3 personal days per calendar year (cannot be carried over).
Sick Leave: 15 days sick leave per calendar year, with unlimited accumulation.
Final sick leave balance is eligible for additional service credit towards retirement once eligibility requirements
have been met.
Annual Leave: Annual leave accumulates per calendar year as noted below (may carry over to the next calendar year 5 days of annual leave per year of service up to a maximum of 30 days).
Years of Service Days of Annual Leave
1 through 2 15 days
2 through 9 18 days
10 through 19 20 days
Longevity Leave: Longevity leave is in addition to the annual leave noted above. It cannot be paid out or carried over and must be used before your next anniversary:
Years of Service Days
20 through 24 1 day
25 through 29 2 days
30 or more 3 days
Health Insurance Plans (75% City Paid and 25% Employee Paid, unless otherwise noted):
  • Medical and Prescription Drug (HDHP, EPO, Core, Plus)
  • Dental (Core and Plus)
  • Vision (Core and Plus)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) (HDHP only)
  • Short-Term Disability (100% City paid)
  • Long-Term Disability (100% Employee paid)
  • Core Life and AD&D Insurance for Employee (100% City paid)
  • Optional Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse and Dependents (100% Employee paid)
  • Legal Benefit (100% Employee paid)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents
  • VEBA/RMSA: A Retiree Medical Savings Account (RMSA) is an individual investment account held in Trust to help employees save for Retiree Health Care costs (can be used after retirement or separation of employment with the City).
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - up to 3 confidential visits with a counselor for the employee, spouse, and their dependents
Retirement Plans: 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans with MissionSquare, Nationwide Retirement Solutions or Voya Financial
Maryland State Retirement System (Civil Service):
  • 7% employee contribution
  • Full vesting rights after 10 years of service credit
  • Full Service Retirement - Rule of 90 (sum of Age and Eligibility Service must equal 90 or Age 65 with 10 Years Eligibility Service

Employee Rewards & Recognition program
Eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union (SECU)
Please Note: This document is intended to be a brief summary only. Please refer to the individual plan documents, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the Rules and Regulations of the Personnel System for additional details specific to your benefits.
REVISED 2023-08-24
01
Do you possess a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a high school diploma or GED equivalent?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you possess at least six (6) to twelve (12) months of experience performing heavy manual labor?
  • Yes
  • No

04
If you answered "Yes," to question number 3 please specify your official position title, exact dates/length of time in the position, and the types of physical labor you performed. Note: information must also be explicitly detailed inside the Work History area of your application and or resume to verify eligibility.
05
Please select the industries in which you have prior, hands-on experience (Select all that apply)
  • Construction or Roadway Repair
  • Utilities (Water, Sewer, or Storm Drain Maintenance)
  • Landscaping or Groundskeeping
  • General Maintenance / Trades (e.g., concrete, basic carpentry, plumbing assist
  • I do not have experience in any of these areas.

06
This position is designated as Safety-Sensitive. Are you willing to undergo pre-employment drug and alcohol testing, and participate in random drug and alcohol screening as required by City policy?
  • Yes, I consent to drug and alcohol screening.
  • No, I do not consent.

07
This position requires heavy, continuous physical labor outdoors in all extreme weather conditions, including lifting heavy items like manhole covers and storm drain grates. Are you physically able and willing to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodation?
  • Yes
  • No

08
Please select the tools, equipment, or tasks you have direct, hands-on experience operating or performing (Select all that apply)
  • Jackhammer / Pneumatic Tools
  • Hand-powered lawnmowers or brush cutters
  • Shoveling asphalt, placing hot/cold mix, and tamping
  • Driving trucks or large utility vehicles
  • Opening/closing manholes or lifting heavy storm grates
  • None of the above

09
Please describe a time when you were working on a manual labor job site and had to follow specific safety procedures (such as wearing PPE, handling hazardous tools, or working around traffic/large equipment). What safety steps did you take to ensure you and your team remained safe?
10
The City of Annapolis is currently filling multiple Public Maintenance Worker I vacancies across two different divisions. Please indicate your placement preference below. (Note: Your selection helps us route your application to the appropriate hiring managers).
  • I wish to be considered for the Streets Division only.
  • I wish to be considered for the Water Division only.
  • I wish to be considered for Both Divisions (Streets and Water).

Required Question

Apply