Director of Public Works

City of Cerritos; Cerritos (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cerritos is seeking a seasoned Public Works Director to lead the department that oversees engineering, maintenance, water and electric utilities, and park facilities. You will shape strategy, manage capital projects, and ensure compliance with laws, budgets, and city goals.

Responsibilities include directing multiple divisions, overseeing contracts, presenting reports to the City Council, and mentoring staff to deliver reliable municipal services and community improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Public Administration or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional Public Works experience with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Master’s degree or Professional Engineer certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversees multiple divisions: Engineering, Maintenance, Environmental Services, Park/Tree Maintenance, Water and Electric Utilities.
• Directs budgeting, design, contract administration and inspection of Capital Improvement Projects.
• Administers municipal contracts for public works, streets, sewers, and utilities; ensures compliance with laws and city policies.
• Represents Public Works in City Council meetings, planning and development reviews, and interagency coordination.
• Leads and mentors staff, develops departmental goals, and ensures delivery of municipal services to residents.

Skills

Public Works

Leadership

Budgeting

Contract management

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Job description

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026

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Under general direction of the Assistant City Manager, supervises, coordinates and controls all activities of the City of Cerritos’ Public Works Department. Manages and maintains a variety of municipal services and facilities including streets, safety lighting, traffic signals, street sweeping, refuse collection, storm drains, sewers, municipal buildings, vehicles and equipment, neighborhood and community parks, public swimming facility, municipal golf course, street trees, median and parkway landscapes, water production and distribution, and electric utility administration. Coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and various community and regulatory agencies. Provides highly responsible and complex administrative assistance to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager and City Council in coordinating and directing departmental activities and operations. Serves as a member of the City’s Executive Team and ensures that the personnel and financial management programs of the Public Works Department are consistent with municipal policies and procedures. Prepares special studies and reports and presents projects to the City Council and City Commissions; performs related work as required.

Job Characteristics

May work a varying schedule of hours, which may include early mornings, night, weekends and holidays. The classification specification does not describe all duties performed. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification. [1]

• Oversees strategic planning for departmental activities and develops short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies and priorities for division functions and programs.
• Leads and ensures a customer service-focused operation.
• Directs and manages all activities of the EngineeringDivision, Maintenance Division, Environmental Services Division, Park and Tree Maintenance Division, Water Utility Division and Electric Utility Division.
• Oversees the planning, budgeting, design, contract administration and inspection of all Capital Improvement Projects for the City and seeks possible alternative funding sources.
• Oversees the administration of all municipal contracts involving public works, including street construction and maintenance, storm drains, sewer maintenance, capital facility construction and maintenance, tree and landscape maintenance, water system maintenance, electric utility administration, street sweeping and refuse collection.
• Oversees civil engineering review andapproval ofall tract and commercial development,ensuring compliance with federal and state laws including theSubdivision Map Act.
• Directstheconstructionofpublicfacilitiesinconformancewithsoundandacceptedengineeringstandardsand practices, taking into consideration the highest possible safety standards.
• Directsthedevelopmentandimplementationofacomprehensivemaintenanceprogramformunicipally owned facilities.
• Attends allCityCouncil meetings and acts as spokes person for the Public WorksDepartment.
• Reviews plans related to area development and public usage such as streets, sewers, storm drains, water services and water supply.
• Works with other City departments in reviewing proposed developments, reporting to the Planning Commission and City Council, implementing City standards, plan checking and inspections of private developments.
• Provides a variety of data and information vital to the City's decision-making process and policy formation to elected and appointed officials.
• Develops, plans and implements departmental goals and objectives; develops, recommends and administers approved policies and procedures; coordinates departmental activities with those of other City departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provides professional and technical advice and assistance to the City Manager and City Council on matters related to departmental functions including Public Works operations and the Capital Improvement Program.
• Ensures timely updates to contracts, agreements and departmental documents for compliance with applicable laws and codes.
• Develops, recommends, administers, interprets and enforces departmental policies and procedures and assists in the development and administration of the City's engineering and maintenance related policies and regulations.
• Directs andoversees the preparation of a wide variety of surveys, plans, specifications, and requests for proposals, studies, reports, contracts, agreements, agenda reports, correspondence, resolutions and ordinances in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and local codes and standards.
• Makes Public Works Department budget recommendations and administers the expenditure offunds.
• Selects, trains, mentors, and evaluates full-time and part-time staff; plans and presents staff development opportunities, in-service training and skills development activities.
• Represents the Department to other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies in relations with the community; advisory committees; other local, state and federal agencies; and professional organizations.

[1] These are considered essential duties for use in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles and practices of civil engineering, including; laws, codes, ordinances and regulations relating to public works operations and development.
• Municipal government and public works department organization, administration, and operations.
• Administration, public finance, municipal budget preparation and control, and capital improvement program project management and cost control.
• Leadership skills, management theory and practices, public sector labor relations, and principles of effectively staffing, hiring, training, supervising, evaluating and developing high-performing teams.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes and regulations.
• Public relations and customer service techniques.
• Goal-setting methods and the design of workload and performance indicators.

Ability to:

• Direct, plan and organize the activities of a comprehensive citywide Public Works Department.
• Plan and supervise the work of professional and field employees in several divisions engaged in departmental activities.
• Demonstrate integrity, a calm and professional demeanor, diplomacy in representing the City, accessibility and approachability, technological and financial savvy, strategic action in the management of resources and people, and commitment to customer service.
• Effectively lead teams through new initiatives and operational improvements.
• Provide strong leadership in the areas of customer services and personnel management.
• Select, train, motivate, supervise and evaluate staff.
• Initiate and carry out required procedural assignments and use independent judgment.
• Develop and administer sound departmental goals.
• Analyze problems; identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Make adjustments to standard operating procedures as necessary to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Give effective oral presentations to elected and appointed officials at public meetings.
• Work within, interpret, apply, and effectively communicate City policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Manage conflict with ease and find appropriate solutions to resident issues, stakeholder concerns and staff needs.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City officials, other employees, agencies, contractors and the public.
• Be detail-oriented and have excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities in a high-pressure environment.
• Exercise good judgement, courtesy, and tact with staff and the public.
• Stay abreast of new trends, innovations, standards and guidelines in the fields of municipal infrastructure maintenance, engineering, customer service, personnel management, and other public works functions.
• Review and analyze plans and specifications for streets, sewers, storm drains, water mains and other public works projects.
• Develop sound record management systems and procedures.
• Drive a motor vehicle.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Public Administration or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of five(5) years of professional Public Worksor relatedexperience withat least three (3) years of experience at a managerial level. Possession of a Master’s Degree in a related field or Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification is highly desirable.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed indoors in an office environment and outdoor settings.
• When performing inspections, the incumbent may walk and stand on slippery/uneven slopes and surfaces and be exposed to vehicular traffic.
• Standing, walking, twisting, reaching, bending, crouching and kneeling to access files and documents.
• Prolonged sitting using a computer keyboard and screen; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment.
• Grasping, pushing, pulling, dragging, carrying and lifting boxes of records, files or supplies weighing up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Exposure to inclement weather, with extreme cold and heat.
• Driving a vehicle on City business as needed.
• Mobility, vision, hearing, sense of smell, and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Required Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid California

Documentation of degree completion (transcripts or diplomas) must be included with the application.