Deputy Director of Public Works

City of Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Berkeley, California, seeks a strategic Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation & Administration to lead Administrative and Fiscal Services, the Transportation Division, and the Measure FF program. You will oversee four direct reports, about 80 staff, and a $25M operating budget with a $150M capital program.

Ideal candidates bring municipal transportation and financial leadership, strong collaboration, and political acumen to serve an engaged community; first consideration

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible public works or municipal admin experience.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience of professional/technical staff.
• Advanced degree and/or municipal contract experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Administrative and Fiscal Services, the Transportation Division, and Measure FF.
• Oversee four direct reports and ~80 staff with a $25M operating budget.
• Guide multimodal transportation improvements and critical infrastructure investments.
• Enhance departmental operations and financial management and engage the community.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Municipal transportation

Financial management

Organizational leadership

Political acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in public administration / related field

Job description

The City of Berkeley, California, seeks a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Deputy Director of Public Works – Transportation & Administration (Deputy Director). Newly established as part of a strategic realignment of responsibilities within the Public Works Department, this position provides dedicated leadership for Administrative and Fiscal Services, the Transportation Division, and the recently created Measure FF division, strengthening coordination and supporting the continued success of these essential service areas. Overseeing four direct reports, approximately 80 indirect staff, and an annual operating budget of $25M and 5-year capital program of over $150M, the Deputy Director advances multimodal transportation improvements, guides critical infrastructure investments, and enhances departmental operations and financial management. The ideal candidate brings expertise in municipal transportation, parking management, financial management, and organizational leadership, along with political acumen to navigate complex challenges and serve a highly engaged community.

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, forestry, horticulture, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering or a field which provide the knowledge and skills required for administrative work in environmental resource management and community affairs.
• Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in a Public Works function or in municipal administration, which includes a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience of professional and technical staff.
• Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-per-year basis.
• Desired: An appropriate advanced degree and/or experience in contract administration in a municipal or public agency setting, and experience working with community organizations.

For first consideration, please submit your application by December 7, 2026.

Applicants selected to move forward will participate in virtual panel interviews and assessments onJanuary 7 and 8, 2027 before advancing to final in-person interviews, anticipated for late January.