PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Salary : $160,536.00 - $216,744.00 Annually
Location : City of West Covina, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-022
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
The City is looking for its next Public Works Director-a dedicated leader committed to enhancing the quality, safety, and reliability of our community's infrastructure.
Note: Application materials must include a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references.
Under general administrative direction, the Director plans, directs, manages, and oversees the operations and activities of the Maintenance Division. Responsibilities include the development and maintenance of the City's community parks and open spaces, fleet management, the maintenance and operation of City facilities, and the upkeep of sewer lines and streets. The Director ensures resources are effectively allocated and managed, provides long-range planning for departmental programs and projects, coordinates activities with other departments and external agencies, and delivers highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager. Performs related duties as required.

Examples of Duties


The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

• Assumes full management responsibility for the Public Works Department.
• Develops, implements and monitors long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving maintenance.
• Develops and submits appropriate application and documentation necessary to secure funding sources. Maintains appropriate records for compliance with these funding sources.
• Reviews work in progress, specifications, estimates, and contract documents for street, sewer, storm drain, bridge, and other projects.
• Provides direction for the department staff; approves a variety of policy and procedure changes and revisions; participates in special projects of department; reviews actions and effectiveness of the respective divisions.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of records, field notes, reports, maps, plots, deeds, benchmarks, monuments, and similar information and records.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directors the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Confer with engineers, developers, architects, and a variety of outside agencies and the general public in acquiring information and coordination of engineering, public works, utilities, streets, and related matters; provides information regarding these matters.
• Performs site inspections during construction to ensure methods and materials are in compliance with regulations for system safety or design.
• Represents the department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Manages the inspection of development projects and City capital and maintenance projects to ensure compliance with codes, ordinances, approved plans, specifications, and conditions.
• Manages Public Works contracts; conducts negotiation and administration of contracts.
• Oversee the Landscaping Maintenance Districts as well as the Citywide Assessment Districts.
• Ensures overall quality of the department's service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; and directs the implementation of change.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, as well as reports on special projects as assigned by the City Manager.
• Responds to and resolves difficult situations and sensitive citizen inquires and complaints.
• Oversee the development of specifications and bid documents for a variety of public works and public utilities-related designs, construction and maintenance projects, recommends contract awards, negotiates contract provisions and coordinates, reviews, inspects and monitors and approves contractor's performance.
• Reviews and advises for completeness and accuracy on developments plans, permits for work in City rights-of-way, project construction plans and specifications.
• Manages the application process for acquiring and administering County, State and Federal Grants.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Assigns the design and execution of projects to subordinate staff, contractors, and consultants.
• Reviews work in progress and approve final designs, specifications, estimates, and contract documents for the Public Services Department.
• Prepares and administers the annual budget for the Public Services Department, approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, approves expenditures, and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Oversee the planning, development, and delivery of a comprehensive recreation and leisure programs; identifies community needs and directs staff in delivery of programs; creates fee structures.
• Oversee the maintenance and repair of City facilities; creates maintenance programs and directs staff in maintenance programs including preventative maintenance programs; plans for building repairs and renovations; coordinates with consultants and provides appropriate recommendations.
• Identifies grant and other funding opportunities; oversees the preparation of grant applications and administers grant programs.
• Prepare and present verbal and written reports to the City Council, County Board of Supervisors, Commission, governmental agencies, and community groups.
• Formulate and recommend a variety of policy and procedure changes and revisions; participates in special projects of the department; reviews actions and effectiveness of the respective divisions.
• Review and approve the work of consultants engaged by the city.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and services delivery methods, based on desired outcomes. Assess workloads, administrative support systems, and internal working relationships to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Public Services Department's work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements.

Typical Qualifications


Any combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for an executive-level public works position. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of:

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive recreation, parks/open space, and facilities maintenance program.
• General knowledge of the field of traffic and sanitary engineering on the municipal level.
• Philosophy, principles, and techniques of providing and assessing the recreational, parks, and facility needs of a community.
• Practices and methods of parks, facilities maintenance.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Skills in resource development to garner grants, legislative appropriations, donations, sponsorships, and in-kind services for programs.
• Principles and practices of public administration, including long-range planning, budgeting, purchasing, and maintaining public records.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards.
• Standard office equipment, including personal computers and computerized applications and programs including Microsoft office suite.
• Research methods and report preparation and presentation.
• Business arithmetic.
• Principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling and grammar.
• The principles of administration, budgeting, supervision, personnel, and training.
• Municipal organization operation and applicable state and federal laws.
• Discipline and termination procedures.

Ability to:

• Plan and coordinate the work of engineering and technical personnel engaged in office and field work.
• Prepare, review, and approve comprehensive reports, plans, and estimates in a professional manner.
• Maintain effective working relationships with administrative personnel, public officials, contractors, and members of the public.
• Prepare contract documents and supervise and coordinate the administration of such contracts.
• Prepare and operate in accordance with an approved budget.
• Develop and administer effective department and program goals, objectives, policies, and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels.
• Organize, set priorities, and exercise expert independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Develop and implement appropriate procedures and controls.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively.
• Operate a computer and standard business software.
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people.
• Make accurate mathematical calculations.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Operate a computer and standard business software and other standard office equipment.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential personnel issues and employee situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training, and Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, parks and recreation management, or related field is required** .


Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the development, implementation, operation, of parks, recreation, and facilities programs, including three (3) years in a supervisory capacity.

Master's Degree in a related field is desirable.

**Related Fields Include:
• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Urban or Regional Planning

Licenses/ Certificates/ Special Requirements
A valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions Work is performed in a variety of environmental conditions. There is exposure to temperature variations, noise, vibrations, fumes, odors, and dust. Physical demands require bending, stooping, standing, and walking. Mental demands require the use of written and oral communication skills; reading and interpretation of data, information, and documents; analysis and solving of problems; use of math and logical reasoning; observation and interpretation of situations; learning and applying new information or new skills; working under deadlines with constant interruptions; interacting with City staff and other organizations; and may involve dealing with dissatisfied or quarrelsome individuals.

Supplemental Information

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The City of West Covina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants.


ADA Accommodation:

The City provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. If you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a position on this site due to a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.
RETIREMENT - The Department Head pays the entire member contribution to the Public Employees' Retirement System. For Department Heads hired prior to January 1, 2011, the retirement formula shall be 2.5% at age 55. For Department Heads hired between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2013, or having reciprocity with another PERS agency and determined to be new "Classic" CalPERS members, the retirement formula shall be 2% at age 60. For Department Heads hired on or after January 1, 2013, and who are defined as "New CalPERS Members" the retirement formula shall be 2% at age 62.
HEALTH INSURANCE - The City will provide up to the corresponding Los Angeles Region Kaiser rate per month (Employee only, Employee plus one, or Employee plus 2 or more (family)) towards health coverage through the Public Employees' Retirement Systems (PERS). Department Heads covered by a health insurance plan outside of the City's plan will receive $600 if hired prior to June 30, 2012, and $300 if hired July 1, 2012, or later.

DENTAL INSURANCE - A dental program is offered at group rates. The City contributes up to $62.23 per month.

VISION INSURANCE - The City has a paid vision plan for employees only. Department Heads may enroll eligible dependents at his/her cost.

LIFE/AD&D INSURANCE - The City provides term life insurance in the amount of $100,000 while employed, and $100,000 AD&D insurance while on duty, and a post-retirement death benefit of $10,000.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY - The City shall provide all Department Heads a long-term disability insurance (LTD) plan, which provides sixty percent (60%) of monthly earnings, to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per month. Benefits become payable on the later of: 1) 180 days; or 2) the date your accumulated leave time is exhausted. Coverage after 90 days may be purchased by the employee through payroll deduction and must be purchased within thirty (30) days of employment.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City shall contribute for each Department Head $300 per month to a deferred compensation plan.


ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Department Heads will receive a maximum of 140 hours per year in administrative leave.

HOLIDAYS - 6 fixed holidays per year, including 40 floating holiday hours. In addition, City Hall is closed December 24th to January 1st.

VACATION LEAVE - 80 hours accrued per year and upon completion of one year of employment, the Department Head shall be granted an additional 40 hours. In addition, Department Heads shall be eligible to use up to 40 hours of Floating holiday leave per each calendar year as approved by the City Manager.

SICK LEAVE - 96 hours accrued per year. There is an unlimited accumulation and the City has an annual payoff plan for unused sick leave, plus a payoff plan upon termination.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - Up to 40 hours per occurrence will be available to a Department Head.

RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS) PLAN - The City will contribute $250 dollars per month into an RHS plan for all Department Heads.

SECTION 125 - The City has established a program consistent with Section 125 of the IRS Code, which enables employees to voluntarily use pre-tax earnings for medical, dental, and dependent care expenses.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT - The City provides a tuition reimbursement program for all regular full-time employees for continuing job related education.

CAR ALLOWANCE - The provision of a City car or the option of a $300 per month allowance in lieu of a City car.

UNIFORM ALLOWANCE (Public Safety) -The Police Chief and Fire Chief will receive an annual uniform allowance of $1,000, payable in January of each year.

STATE DISABILITY - Department Heads have the option to sign up for State Disability at no cost to the City. Department Heads will be responsible for the full cost of the premiums
01


The supplemental assessment you are about to complete is part of the examination process and will be thoroughly reviewed. All responses provided will be subject to verification.

• I understand that this supplemental assessment is part of the examination process and will be used to determine which candidates are selected to move forward in the recruitment process.

02


Which option below best describes your highest level of education? (NOTE: You will be required to verify your education level if you continue in the selection process.)

• Some high school
• High school or G.E.D.
• Some College
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree
• None

03


Which of the following best describes the field of study for your qualifying Bachelor's or Master's degree?(You will be required to provide verification if you continue in the selection process.)

• Public Administration
• Parks and Recreation Management
• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Management
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Engineering
• Urban or Regional Planning
• My degree is not in a related field
• A different but related field (please specify)

04


If you selected "A different but related field," please specify your degree major below.
05


How many years of experience do you have in public works administration, engineering, infrastructure management, or public works operations (such as streets, water, wastewater, stormwater, fleet, or capital improvement projects)?

• None
• Training only, or less than 1 year full-time work experience
• More than 1 year, but less than 2 years full-time work experience
• More than 2 years, but less than 4 years full-time work experience
• More than 4 years, but less than 6 years full-time work experience
• More than 6 years, but less than 8 years full-time work experience
• Over 10 years full-time work experience

06


How many years of supervisory or management experience do you have in a public works or related municipal environment?

• I do not have supervisory experience
• Less than one year
• One year of experience, but less than two years
• Two years of experience, but less than three years
• Three years of experience, but less than four years
• Four or more years

07


Describe your experience managing capital improvement projects (CIP). Include project types, size of budgets, and your specific role.
08


Describe your experience working with consulting engineers, contractors, or regulatory agencies (such as Caltrans, AQMD, RWQCB).
09


List any job related certification(s) or license(s) you possess. If you do not have any, state "not applicable."
Required Question