Public Works Director

CPS HR Consulting (Client Recruitments); San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of San Carlos seeks a Public Works Director to lead its Public Works Department, guiding engineering, maintenance, and capital projects to keep essential infrastructure safe and reliable. The successful candidate will mentor staff, manage budgets, and collaborate with the City Council and regional partners to advance investments and improve the community’s quality of life.

Strong leadership, technical expertise, and political acumen are essential to delivering complex programs on time

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and five years of municipal government experience in engineering or maintenance.
• Three years of supervisory leadership experience in a public works setting.
• Master’s degree in civil engineering is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Public Works Department and oversee planning, development, and maintenance of City infrastructure.
• Oversee capital improvement planning and delivery, budgeting, and contract administration.
• Coordinate with City Council, regulators, developers, and the community to communicate complex issues.
• Guide staff to strengthen preventive maintenance, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

Skills

Municipal government experience

Supervisory leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Master’s degree in civil engineering

Job description

The City of San Carlos is seeking a Public Works Director to lead its Public Works Department and oversee the planning, development, maintenance, and improvement of essential City infrastructure. Responsibilities include managing engineering, infrastructure maintenance, capital improvement planning and delivery, departmental budgeting, public facilities, contracts, and private development plan reviews; overseeing the Capital Improvement Program to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget; strengthening preventive maintenance programs and operational efficiencies; and ensuring the long-term sustainability of City infrastructure. The Director also collaborates with the City Council, City management, regulatory agencies, developers, contractors, and community members, communicating complex technical issues clearly, addressing community concerns, and providing sound recommendations to support informed decision-making. This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with strong technical expertise, political acumen, and management skills to guide a talented team, advance critical infrastructure investments, and enhance the quality of life in the City of Good Living.

The City of San Carlos is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Public Works Director with strong engineering, management, and communication skills and a commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will provide strategic leadership, mentor staff, foster a positive and accountable work environment, and build strong relationships with the City Council, employees, community members, and regional partners. Qualified candidates will have municipal engineering experience, including oversight of capital improvement programs, infrastructure maintenance, asset management, budgets, and complex projects. The successful candidate will embrace innovation and continuous improvement, communicate technical information effectively, respond to community concerns, and demonstrate sound judgement and political acumen. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and five years of municipal government experience in engineering or maintenance programs, including three years in a supervisory role, are typical qualifications; a master’s degree in civil engineering is highly desirable.