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Entry Level Public Works Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

... public works projects a plus ... This is a great entry level position for the right candidate. The project engineer will work ...

CA · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

... public works projects a plus ... This is a great entry level position for the right candidate. The project engineer will work ...

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Entry Level Public Works information

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$12

$24

$44

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

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level public works 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.

How to make $10,000 a month without a degree?

Entry level public works jobs typically do not pay $10,000 a month; however, advancing in the field through gaining certifications, developing specialized skills, or taking on supervisory roles can increase earnings. Additional income may also come from side projects or overtime opportunities, but reaching that level usually requires significant experience or additional qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Public Works employee, and why are they important?

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 is the 70 30 rule in hiring?

The 70/30 rule in hiring suggests that 70% of the decision should be based on skills, experience, and qualifications, while 30% considers cultural fit and soft skills. For entry-level public works positions, this emphasizes evaluating technical ability alongside teamwork and reliability. It helps ensure a balanced assessment of candidates for public service roles.

What is the easiest government job to get?

For entry-level public works positions, jobs such as maintenance worker or laborer are often considered easier to obtain due to high demand and minimal specialized education requirements. These roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent and may involve on-the-job training, making them accessible for many applicants.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an Entry Level Public Works employee?

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 jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Entry level public works jobs typically do not pay $4,000 a week without advanced skills or certifications. High-paying roles in this field usually require experience, specialized training, or union membership, and most pay closer to standard hourly wages. Jobs that pay this much often involve management, specialized technical skills, or are in different industries such as sales or entrepreneurship.

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 are Entry Level Public Works jobs?

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.
More about Entry Level Public Works jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Public Works jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Public Works job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Public Works jobs? The most popular types of Public Works jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Public Works jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Public Works jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Public Works jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Public Works jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Public Works job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,420 per year, or $24.2 per hour.
Apprentice Cement Mason II - Operations - Public Works (TEX)

Apprentice Cement Mason II - Operations - Public Works (TEX)

City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$89K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Company Description
Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.
10/31/25 - This announcement is being reposted for additional recruitment. If you previously applied to this announcement, you do not need to reapply.
Application Opening: October 31st, 2025
Application Deadline: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through November 7th, 2025, at 5pm, and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $89,180 - $105,820 Annually
Recruitment ID: TEX-7399-EXEMPT, REF55427M & REF55425B
TO APPLY:
  1. Complete this Apprentice Cement Mason II (7399 TEX) job application on SmartRecruiters; AND
  2. Complete the 7399 TEX - Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). Interested applicants are required to complete both items: job application and the SQ. Job applications will only be considered if supplemented by a complete SQ.
  3. You must have completed/finished the third (3rd) period of the Northern California Cement Masons Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee through a private sector employer in order to be considered for this role. Your application will not be considered if you have not met this requirement.

San Francisco Public Works (Public Works) has a far-reaching portfolio with a $453 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings; manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco's biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.
Please visit the "About Us" section of our website at https://www.sfpublicworks.org about to learn more about the department's core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more.
Public Works currently has vacancies for the position of Apprentice Cement Mason II (7399) within our operations division.
Job Description
The Apprentice Cement Mason II position is an entry-level training role designed to develop the skills and competencies necessary for progression to a journey-level Cement Mason upon completion of the program. Apprentices will participate in guided hands-on training, structured development programs, and close supervision to ensure comprehensive skill-building. Apprentice Cement Masons support journey-level Cement Masons by performing routine tasks.
Important and Essential Duties:
As an Apprentice Cement Mason II, your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Participates in a Joint Apprentice Training Committee Apprenticeship School through the recognized employee organization.
  • Communicates and learns to work with supervisors, journey-level cement masons, and co-workers. Learned to follow orders and directions.
  • Prepares job sites by setting up safety tripods and scaffolding; may secure confined space job sites.
  • Performs mixing and applying toppings, colors, grout, epoxy overlays, or waterproofing compounds following job specifications.
  • Performs framing work, including placing and finishing curbs, sidewalks, gutters, disability access ramps, and various other concrete structures.
  • Participates in demolition of flat work and concrete structures with the proper use of pneumatic tools, such as chipping guns, jackhammers, concrete saws, and other power equipment.
  • Pour and finish concrete sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, disability access ramps, and steps using screeds, trowels and floats.
  • Identifies and uses various hand and pneumatic tools and power equipment; cleans and otherwise maintains tools and equipment; and performs general maintenance.
  • Learns to order materials and estimate concrete; assisted in laying out work for new construction or repair by measuring and calculating the correct type, materials and supplies necessary to complete the job.
  • Loads and unloads materials, supplies, and equipment on and off trucks.
  • Learning safety procedures and use of safety equipment, preparing job sites, proper concrete and debris disposal, tapering traffic, and pedestrian detouring.
  • Basic learning of the scope of concrete work performed by the San Francisco Public Works Cement Shop.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively to ensure you're understood (written and verbal formats).

Essential skills and abilities required for the apprenticeship program:
  • Climb ladders
  • Crawl on hands and knees as needed to access work areas.
  • Lift, drag, and/or move with assistance large and/or heavy equipment to truck bed level
  • Bend knees, waist, and back; stoop, squat, and kneel for extended periods.
  • Remain in physically uncomfortable positions for prolonged durations.
  • Lift objects that weigh up to ninety (90) pounds and carry them for distances up to fifty (50) feet.
  • Basic arithmetic, including measuring, counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, calculating ratios, percentages and dimensions without a calculator.

Working Conditions:
The nature of the work requires exposure to inclement weather and hazardous materials and/or conditions.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Current enrollment in a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee School for cement masonry through the City's recognized employee organization.
Experience:
Completion of the third (3rd) period of the Northern California Cement Masons Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee through a private sector employer.
License and Certification:
  • Requires possession and maintenance of a valid Class C California driver's license

Supplemental Information:
Appointees to this class must be Plasterers and Cement Masons Local #300 Union members.
Conditions of Employment:
  • Valid Driver's License: Applicants must possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license with no restrictions that would prohibit them from legally performing the essential functions and duties of the role.

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the selection process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.
  • The ability to frame concrete slabs, sidewalks and/or curb gutters.
  • The ability to place and finish concrete slabs, sidewalks and/or curb gutters.
  • 600 hours of repair and replace concrete restoration
  • Completion of the Multi-craft Core Curriculum (MC3) course.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements
All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included in your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification from this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
Applications completed improperly may be cause for inability, or disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which may include the following:
  1. Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ)
  2. Successful completion of a written assessment to evaluate knowledge and skills required of the program.
  3. Successful completion of a physical agility test to measure the abilities required of the program.

NOTE: If you are selected to advance, you will receive an email with supplemental questions to complete as part of the next round of screening.
*San Francisco Public Works reserves the right to modify the selection process to conform to administrative or operational necessity. The information in this announcement is subject to change and will be accompanied by a notice of amendment in this announcement. Only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the host department program's needs will move forward in the recruitment process.
The selection process will include evaluation of applications concerning minimum requirements. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the Department's needs will be invited to the next steps in the selection process.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all the steps in the selection process.
Additional Information
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
  • Information About The Hiring Process
  • Conviction History
  • Employee Benefits Overview
  • Equal Employment Opportunity
  • Disaster Service Worker
  • ADA Accommodation
  • Right to Work
  • Copies of Application Documents
  • Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the Analyst, Raquel Knighten at Raquel.knighten@sfdpw.org
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Videos To Watch
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