DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS

Updated: Mai 28, 2025 - The Director of Public Works is responsible for leading, motivating, and overseeing DPW personnel while ensuring compliance with laws and policies. This role involves evaluating the department's needs, implementing strategic plans, managing contracts, and recommending improvements for service delivery. This position also stays informed about industry developments, shares relevant information with staff, and acts as a liaison with state, federal, and regional authorities.

Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Director of Public Works Resume
  • Budget Management
  • Project Management
  • Infrastructure Planning
  • Contract Management
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • GIS Software Proficiency
  • Civil Engineering
  • Asset Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Decision-Making
  • Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Negotiation
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Adaptability
  • Strategic Thinking

Summary of Director of Public Works Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume

1. BS in Civil Engineering with 7 years of experience

  • Ability to provide high-level oversight to a multitude of projects simultaneously. 
  • Familiar with contemporary qualitative and quantitative public works performance measures.
  • Highly developed executive leadership skills, public administration acumen and the ability to lead a large municipal utility organization.
  • Ability to pass a Criminal Record Offender Information check
  • High levels of personal resilience and stability used to provide structure, confidence and empower continuous improvement to teams addressing multi-faceted challenges and opportunities in a politically sensitive environment.
  • Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills and conflict resolution skills.
  • Strong analytical writing and public speaking skills.
  • A broad base of experience in facility OandM.
  • Experience in a military environment
  • Outstanding team working skills
  • City organization, operations, policies, and objectives.
  • Basic principles and practices of personnel administration.
  • Contract administration principles and practices.

2. BS in Environmental Engineering with 7 years of experience

  • Ability to direct, lead, motivate, schedule and assign work.
  • Ability to provide overall supervision and training for DPW personnel in accordance with all applicable laws and personnel practices and policies.
  • Ability to evaluate Public Works needs to deliver cost-effective services.
  • Ability to implement the goals and objectives as established by the Town Manager and recommend long-term and short-term strategic plans to attain goals.
  • Ability to assess the performance of the Department and recommend changes in policies, procedures, methods and equipment to improve efficiency and service delivery.
  • Ability to prepare and manage bids, RFP’s, RFQ’s, and contracts for contracted work.
  • Ability to keep abreast of legislative, technical and professional developments in the field through continuing education, professional associations, publications, conferences and seminars, and peer group associations. 
  • Ability to share relevant information with staff and Town officials.
  • Ability to provide plan review and inspection services for projects before the Planning Board and Conservation Commission.
  • Ability to act as the liaison with and represent the DPW before state, federal and regional authorities.

3. BS in Construction Management with 8 years of experience

  • Ability to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
  • Ability to serve as the DPW public information officer in responding to suggestions, complaints and criticisms.
  • Ability to serve as the key technical engineering resource of the Town of Oxford.
  • Knowledge of personnel policies and procedures
  • Experience in creating and managing multiple budgets for a wide array of service lines
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of Civil Engineering
  • Experience in planning, bidding and constructing public works and facilities projects
  • Experience with public building systems management and public procurement for services, supplies and construction.
  • Excellent Time Management skills
  • Ability to maintain frequent contact with Town and School officials, vendors, and the general public that requires excellent customer service skills. 
  • Ability to contact may be made in person, in writing, or by telephone.

4. BS in Urban Planning with 7 years of experience

  • Experience with Leadership and management theory and practices.
  • Experience with Management and leadership principles, including performance measurement.
  • Experience with Public administration and governmental operations.
  • Experience with Principles, practices, methods and equipment used in civil engineering projects and public works programs.
  • Knowledge of GIS, Cal-OSHA and ADA.
  • Experience with Municipal budget preparation and administration methods and practices and capital improvement programs.
  • Experience with applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
  • Experience with Program development and administration principles and practices.
  • Experience with Personal computer software and hardware.
  • Experience with ffective methods of report presentation.
  • Experience with Goal-setting methods and the design of workload and performance indicators.
  • Effective oral and written communication principles and practices.
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