Director of Public Works Jobs

Director of Public Works jobs are open across municipal governments, counties, utilities, and infrastructure agencies, from mid-level superintendent to deputy director and director, with specializations in transportation, water and wastewater systems, and capital project management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles348+
Top stateTexas
Top employerHalff
Top cityCorpus Christi, TX
Work type90% On-site
Top industryGovernment

Showing 5 of 348+ Director of Public Works jobs

Administrative Support Associate - Public Works
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New 8h ago
Administrative Support Associate - Public Works
City of Round Rock, TX
Round Rock, Texas
Administrative & Office Support
Office Management
Project Management
$42k - $49k/yr
High school diploma or GED

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Project Manager – DSA / Public Works Construction
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New 12h ago
Project Manager – DSA / Public Works Construction
RIMEPRO INC
Santa Rosa, California
Creative & Design
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$130k - $175k/yr
Bachelor's degree in construction management

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Public Works Maintenance Manager
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New 13h ago
Public Works Maintenance Manager
City Of Newark
Newark, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$185k.8 - $222k.41/yr
On-Site

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Cadastral Technician (Transportation & Public Works)
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New 13h ago
Cadastral Technician (Transportation & Public Works)
Miami Dade County
Miami-Dade County, FL
Healthcare Administration
Maintenance & Repair
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$51k.25 - $85k.71/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Engineer 2 (Transportation & Public Works)
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New 13h ago
Engineer 2 (Transportation & Public Works)
Miami Dade County
Miami-Dade County, FL
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
$78k.48 - $136k.19/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering technology
10,000+

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Director of Public Works Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Halff25
  • CWS Construction group10
  • MSA Professional Services9
  • Ardurra8
  • Civil Science7

Top Industries Hiring

  • Government & Public Sector

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in director of public works jobs.

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration, or a closely related field
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or required depending on jurisdiction
  • 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public works or civil infrastructure
  • Demonstrated experience managing capital improvement programs and department budgets
  • Familiarity with asset management systems, GIS platforms, and project management software
  • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations governing public infrastructure

Tips for Your Director of Public Works Job Search

Tailor your resume to infrastructure portfolios

Hiring panels for director of public works roles want to see capital improvement program budgets, project delivery timelines, and department headcount you've managed. Lead with those numbers up front rather than burying them in job descriptions.

Get your PE license documentation current

Many jurisdictions require a Professional Engineer license as a minimum qualification, not a preference. Confirm your license is active in the state you're targeting before applying, because an expired or out-of-state license can disqualify you at the screening stage.

Target postings by population and budget tier

A city of 50,000 and a county of 500,000 expect very different scope and leadership depth. Match your resume's scale of past responsibility to the jurisdiction size you're applying to, or explain directly how your experience transfers.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists director of public works openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Prepare for scenario-based interview panels

Public works director interviews commonly include elected officials, city managers, and department heads on the panel. Practice walking through a capital project conflict, a service disruption response, or a budget cut scenario out loud before your interview.

Negotiate start dates around transition obligations

Many director of public works candidates are leaving public-sector roles with 60 to 90 day notice requirements. Address this proactively in your cover letter so hiring authorities can plan the onboarding timeline rather than discovering it late in the process.

Director of Public Works Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most director of public workss?

Halff, CWS Construction group, and MSA Professional Services are hiring the most director of public workss right now, with openings concentrated in Texas, California, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Municipal governments and county agencies account for the largest share of active postings.

How many director of public works jobs are remote?

About 10% of director of public works openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, field-coordination nature of most roles. Administrative and planning-focused functions within the role, such as budget development, grant writing, and policy work, are most likely to allow partial remote flexibility.

How do you become a director of public works?

Most directors of public works start with a degree in civil engineering or public administration, then build experience as a field supervisor, project manager, or assistant director over many years. Earning a PE license strengthens your candidacy significantly. Moving through progressively larger jurisdictions, managing capital budgets, and developing cross-department leadership skills are the most reliable steps toward a director role.

Can you get hired as a director of public works without direct director experience?

Yes, candidates coming from deputy director, assistant director, or division manager roles are regularly hired into director of public works positions for the first time. What matters most is demonstrable experience overseeing infrastructure programs, managing staff, and working with elected bodies or city councils. Highlighting your largest project, your budget authority, and any prior experience presenting to governing boards closes the experience gap effectively.

What does the director of public works interview process look like?

The process typically begins with an HR or city manager screening call, followed by a structured panel interview that often includes elected officials, department heads, and community representatives. Finalists are frequently asked to give a presentation on a current infrastructure challenge or their leadership philosophy. Reference checks with former supervisors and governing board members are standard before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to director of public works jobs?

You can find and apply to director of public works jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your experience and location preference, then apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 348+ Director of Public Works Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Director of Public Works Jobs