Director of Public Works

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.

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 Engineering Division, 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 and approval ofall tract and commercial development,ensuring compliance with federal and state laws including the Subdivision 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 Works Department.
• 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 and oversees the preparation of a wide variety of surveys, plans,…