DEPUTY DIRECTOR-PUBLIC WORKS (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)

Salary : $206,742.12 - $220,858.04 Annually
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Executive Level
Job Number: 38416
Department: Houston Public Works
Opening Date: 03/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED


DIVISION: FACILITIES OVERSIGHT & MANAGEMENT
REPORTING LOCATION: 611 WALKER*
WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM*
* Subject to change

ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS
Houston Public Works (HPW) plays a vital role in ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for our city. We oversee the planning, operation, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the City's public infrastructure, including our roadways, bridges, drainage systems, and parks. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 3,900 employees, we are constantly striving for excellence in delivering essential services to our community.


DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Houston Public Works is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director - Facilities Oversight & Maintenance. This executive-level position is responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of HPW's facility portfolio (200+ facilities and properties ranging from 1.2 million sq ft to 5,000 sq ft), ensuring all facilities are safe, functional, well-maintained, and that the portfolio meets its financial and operational objectives. This role combines high-level portfolio strategy with hands-on oversight of maintenance contractors across multiple sites and facilities.
The Deputy Director will oversee the daily operations, maintenance, and repair of an assigned portfolio of buildings. The primary objective is to maximize asset value, ensure tenant satisfaction, manage budgets effectively, and guarantee compliance with all safety and regulatory standards through efficient planning and execution of maintenance activities and aligned with the City of Houston's operational, sustainability, and resilience goals. The Deputy Director must demonstrate agility and a sense of urgency by responding effectively to evolving building facility, security and emergency operational needs to maintain safe and uninterrupted operations.
Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement long-term strategic maintenance plans to enhance value and longevity, prepare and manage annual operating and capital improvement budgets, track expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities across the portfolio.
• Financial Management: Develop andmanage operating and capital budgets related to facilities maintenance, repair and lifecycle replacement.
• Maintenance Operations Oversight: Plan, coordinate, and direct all maintenance and repair activities, which include developing and implementing preventative maintenance (PM) programs and managing corrective and emergency maintenance requests.
• Vendor and Contractor Management: Obtain competitive bids for contracts, negotiate terms and pricing with outside vendors and service providers, oversee their work, and ensure quality of workmanship and compliance with agreements.
• Team Leadership & Supervision: Supervise, train, and mentor on-site maintenance staff across various properties, monitor performance, and foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Tenant/Stakeholder Relations: Act as a primary point of contact for internal HPW tenants and operational staff regarding maintenance concerns, providing regular reports and ensuring high levels of communication and satisfaction.

Essential Duties

• Develop and implement maintenance procedures and safety policies to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues relating to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, structural, and other building systems.
• Manage the entire lifecycle of capital projects from planning and specification to execution.
• Prepare and present monthly reports on building performance, budget adherence, and maintenance status to stakeholders.
• Respond promptly to emergency maintenance requests, which may require on-call availability.
• Stay current on industry enhancements, new technologies, and regulatory changes that may impact the properties.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is physically comfortable, the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline would normally be obtained through a formal four-year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed.


EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
More than ten years of experience is required.

A Master's degree may be substituted for two years of experience.


LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston driving policy (A.P. 2-2).

PREFERENCES


Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Professional certifications such as CFM, PE, or PMP.
• Experience in a large municipal or public-sector environment.
• Five (5) years of senior-level management experience.

**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.


SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.


SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.


PAY GRADE 36

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at:

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call View phone number on click.appcast.io).

If you need special services or accommodations, call View phone number on click.appcast.io). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit
01


Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02


Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the Above

03


If you answered that you have a college degree what was your field of study?

• Engineering
• Construction Management
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Non-related field of study
• I do not have a degree

04


How many years of progressively responsible facilities operations/maintenance experience do you have?

• I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.
• Less than 8 years
• 8 - 9 years
• 10 - 11 years
• 12 - 13 years
• 14 years or more

05


Please describe your related experience. If none use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)
06


Do you have a current/ valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

07


How many years of experience in a managerial capacity do you have?

• I have no managerial experience
• Less than 3 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 years or more

08


Which best describes your management experience?

• Individual contributor / technical lead only
• Supervisor (frontline)
• Manager (manages supervisors or teams)
• Senior manager / division manager (multi-team or multi-site)
• Executive/Deputy/Assistant Director (department or enterprise level)

09


How many years of experience in a large municipal or public-sector environment do you have?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 8 years
• 9 years or more

10


Which best describes the size of the facilities portfolio you have overseen?

• No facilities portfolio oversight
• 1-10 facilities
• 11-50 facilities
• 51-100 facilities
• 101-200 facilities
• 200+ facilities

11


Which best describes your preventative maintenance (PM) program experience?

• No PM program experience
• Supported PM activities (limited responsibility)
• Managed an existing PM program (accountable for results)
• Designed/implemented a PM program
• Significantly improved a PM program performance/coverage/KPIs)

12


Which best describes your CMMS/work order experience?

• No CMMS/work order system experience
• User (entered/updated work orders)
• Lead user (assigned/prioritized work; monitored backlog)
• Administrator/manager (configured workflows, dashboards, KPIs)
• Implemented or led a CMMS rollout/major upgrade

13


What is the approximate annual budget amount you have managed for facilities (operating and/or capital)?

• No direct budget responsibility
• Under $250,000
• $250,000-$999,999
• $1M-$4.9M
• $5M-$9.9M
• $10M+

14


Which best describes your current certifications/licenses?

• None
• One relevant certification (e.g., CFM or PMP)
• Two or more relevant certifications (e.g., CFM and PMP)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• PE license plus one or more additional relevant certifications

Required Question