$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 ...
$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 ...
$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 ...
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
Quick apply
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
$148K - $177K/yr
Director of Public Works ID: 1258 Organization: City of Belgrade Location: Belgrade, MT First Review : 08/09/2026 More about this job > Description DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS City of Belgrade, MT First ...
$148K - $177K/yr
Director of Public Works ID: 1258 Organization: City of Belgrade Location: Belgrade, MT First Review : 08/09/2026 More about this job > Description DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS City of Belgrade, MT First ...
Leander, TX · On-site
$84K - $90K/yr
Assistant Public Works Director, Public Works and Parks Department staff. EXAMPLES OF WORK Essential Duties* · Manages special projects. Responsible for planning; both short term and long term. ...
Leander, TX · On-site
$84K - $90K/yr
Assistant Public Works Director, Public Works and Parks Department staff. EXAMPLES OF WORK Essential Duties* · Manages special projects. Responsible for planning; both short term and long term. ...
Plummer, ID · On-site
$65K - $110K/yr
Public Works Director Dept Supervisor: Tribal Administrative Director Location: Tribal Headquarter, Plummer Idaho Summary This position is responsible for planning and implementing a variety of ...
Plummer, ID · On-site
$65K - $110K/yr
Public Works Director Dept Supervisor: Tribal Administrative Director Location: Tribal Headquarter, Plummer Idaho Summary This position is responsible for planning and implementing a variety of ...
$152K - $190K/yr
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Public Works Director provides strategic leadership and management for a department that is comprised of over 130 full-time equivalent employees ...
$152K - $190K/yr
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Public Works Director provides strategic leadership and management for a department that is comprised of over 130 full-time equivalent employees ...
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
Los Banos, CA · On-site
$135K - $173K/yr
POSITION TITLE ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY EXEMPT EMPLOYMENT LEVEL MIDDLE MANAGEMENT DEFINITION Under the general direction from the Public Works ...
Los Banos, CA · On-site
$135K - $173K/yr
POSITION TITLE ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY EXEMPT EMPLOYMENT LEVEL MIDDLE MANAGEMENT DEFINITION Under the general direction from the Public Works ...
Pflugerville, TX · On-site
$152K - $190K/yr
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Public Works Director provides strategic leadership and management for a department that is comprised of over 130 full-time equivalent employees ...
Pflugerville, TX · On-site
$152K - $190K/yr
Under the direction of the Assistant City Manager, the Public Works Director provides strategic leadership and management for a department that is comprised of over 130 full-time equivalent employees ...
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
Employee serves as the Public Works Director in their absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Works Director and is evaluated through conferences, reports, observation ...
College Place, WA · On-site
$125K - $141K/yr
Public Works Opening Date: 08/13/2026 Description Plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department including streets (including bridges, culverts, and ...
New
College Place, WA · On-site
$125K - $141K/yr
Public Works Opening Date: 08/13/2026 Description Plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department including streets (including bridges, culverts, and ...
New
College Place, WA · On-site
$125K - $141K/yr
Description Plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department including streets (including bridges, culverts, and traffic signals), park maintenance ...
New
College Place, WA · On-site
$125K - $141K/yr
Description Plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Public Works Department including streets (including bridges, culverts, and traffic signals), park maintenance ...
New
CA · On-site
$166K - $215K/yr
Public Works Opening Date: 08/11/2026 Closing Date: Continuous DESCRIPTION The Director of Public Works is a key member of the County's executive leadership team and serves as the County Road ...
CA · On-site
$166K - $215K/yr
Public Works Opening Date: 08/11/2026 Closing Date: Continuous DESCRIPTION The Director of Public Works is a key member of the County's executive leadership team and serves as the County Road ...
Hopewell, VA · On-site
Public Works Opening Date: 03/26/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Description Performs complex professional work planning, organizing, directing, and administering the activities of the department ...
Hopewell, VA · On-site
Public Works Opening Date: 03/26/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Description Performs complex professional work planning, organizing, directing, and administering the activities of the department ...
Hopewell, VA · On-site
$160K/yr
Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the Public Works Department, division, and capital improvement budgets; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing ...
Hopewell, VA · On-site
$160K/yr
Supervise and participate in the development and administration of the Public Works Department, division, and capital improvement budgets; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing ...
Kilgore, TX · On-site
$114K - $159K/yr
The Director of Public Works is a position which includes Streets, Parks & Cemeteries, Equipment Services, and Utilities that include both a water and wastewater treatment plant. This position ...
New
Kilgore, TX · On-site
$114K - $159K/yr
The Director of Public Works is a position which includes Streets, Parks & Cemeteries, Equipment Services, and Utilities that include both a water and wastewater treatment plant. This position ...
New
Bowie, MD · On-site
$160K - $200K/yr
Public Works Director THE CANDIDATE The City of Bowie is seeking a proven and experienced professional to serve as its next Public Works Director. The ideal candidate will have a broad background in ...
Bowie, MD · On-site
$160K - $200K/yr
Public Works Director THE CANDIDATE The City of Bowie is seeking a proven and experienced professional to serve as its next Public Works Director. The ideal candidate will have a broad background in ...
Billings, MT · On-site
$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 ...
Billings, MT · On-site
$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 ...
Stockbridge, GA · On-site
$100K - $108K/yr
Reporting to the Public Works Director, this key leadership role assists in overseeing daily operations, planning, and execution of public works programs, ensuring efficient service delivery and ...
Stockbridge, GA · On-site
$100K - $108K/yr
Reporting to the Public Works Director, this key leadership role assists in overseeing daily operations, planning, and execution of public works programs, ensuring efficient service delivery and ...
Bethel Park, PA · On-site
$70K - $75K/yr
SUMMARY The Assistant Public Works Director reports to and assists the Public Works Director in planning, coordinating, and supervising activities related to municipal infrastructure, including ...
Bethel Park, PA · On-site
$70K - $75K/yr
SUMMARY The Assistant Public Works Director reports to and assists the Public Works Director in planning, coordinating, and supervising activities related to municipal infrastructure, including ...
$48K - $62.2K
1% of jobs
$62.2K - $76.5K
2% of jobs
$76.5K - $90.7K
4% of jobs
$90.7K - $104.9K
14% of jobs
$107.8K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$104.9K - $119.1K
18% of jobs
The median wage is $128K / yr.
$119.1K - $133.4K
17% of jobs
$133.4K - $147.6K
12% of jobs
$156.8K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$147.6K - $161.8K
11% of jobs
$161.8K - $176K
9% of jobs
$176K - $190.3K
9% of jobs
$190.3K - $204.5K
4% of jobs
$48K
$135.1K
$204.5K
Public works directors are city government employees. As a public works director, you report to the city manager and collaborate with other high-level city officials to carry out your duties. Your main responsibilities are to manage several departments in the city government and to develop long-term community improvement plans. Some of your tasks are managerial, such as hiring, evaluating, and firing public works employees. Others are administrative, like overseeing public works projects, budgets, and outcomes. You present development plan proposals to city management and assist the city manager.
| Aspect | Public Works Director | City Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Often requires civil engineering degree, PE license, and management experience | Typically requires civil engineering degree and PE license |
| Work Environment | Oversees public infrastructure projects, maintenance, and operations | Focuses on designing, planning, and supervising engineering projects |
| Employer & Industry | Municipal government, public sector | Municipal government, public sector |
The Public Works Director and City Engineer roles often overlap in credentials and work environment, but the Public Works Director has broader management responsibilities overseeing all public infrastructure and services, while the City Engineer primarily focuses on engineering design and project planning within the city.
Cities with the most Public Works Director job openings:
The most popular types of Public Works jobs are:
The top employers for Public Works Director jobs are:
States with the most job openings for Public Works Director jobs include:
The top searched job categories for Public Works Director jobs are:

"Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis." Position Overview Click here to view the Public Works Director brochure and to apply through GMP Consultants Job Summary: 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 departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Administrator. Scope of Responsibility: Establishes functional policies and makes tactical decisions, within overall strategic direction, with top management guidance, which affects multiple units with overall organizational impact consolidating major staff functions with critical financial impact. Solves complex technical or strategic problems, applies technology or business approaches in new ways; develops and recommends new alternatives
Impact is high, affecting long-term performance of the overall organization and gains or losses can significantly change the future of the organization. Requires regular interaction to communicate or negotiate important agreements, requiring considerable tact, sense of timing and the ability to engender trust, plus sensitivity to diverse audiences, where relationships affect morale of major work units and/or development, and maintenance of relationships with key customers or vendors. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Supervision Select, train, motivate and evaluate Public Works Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Public Works Department's work plan; meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures. Provide leadership and direct strategic planning for the Department. Department Operations Assume full management responsibility for all Public Works Department services and activities including street and appurtenances maintenance, traffic control, engineering and construction, environmental services, solid waste collection, landfill, storm maintenance, sanitary sewer collection, water distribution, and water and wastewater treatment operations.
Manage the development and implementation of Public Works Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area. Establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly. Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes.
Manage, direct and implement long-range planning activities. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the City Administrator, Assistant City Administrator, other City employees, City Council and other elected officials, City advisory boards, business and community groups, outside contractors, State and Federal officials, representatives of the media, and the public. Serve as an integral member of the City's executive leadership team to help carry out the mission, vision, and needs of the City.
Prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to public works programs, policies and procedures as appropriate. Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of Public Works.
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints. Engage other City Departments in a collaborative manner. Explain and interpret Public Works Department programs, policies, and activities.
Financial Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Public Works Department budget; approve the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Skills Required Qualifications/Skills: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field Seven (7) or more years of public works experience Five (5) years of management and supervisory experience A valid Montana driver's license, or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of employment Must be able to successfully pass a Federal and State criminal background check.
Preferred Qualifications/Skills: An advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), or Professional Engineer (PE) or a related field. Physical Demands and Working Conditions Work is in a normal office environment with occasional field visits. Working conditions require intermittent physical effort involving lifting of 25 pounds or less.
Working conditions require high attention to detail and deadlines between 45% and 70% of the time. A typical workday involves exposure to one disagreeable element present in moderate intensity less than 15% of the time. Frequent driving is required.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.
To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The City retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.