DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS bei City of Long Beach, CA

About the Department

The City of Long Beach, CA is seeking an innovative, hands-on, and highly communicative leader to serve as its next Director of Public Works. This is a unique opportunity to oversee one of the City’s most visible and impactful departments during a period of significant growth and transformation. Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Director will guide a team of more than 500 employees and steward nearly half a billion dollars in annual operating and capital budgets. The ideal candidate will be a proven project manager, change agent, and trusted advisor who values transparency, inspires staff to be proactive and solutions-focused, and communicates effectively with employees, elected officials, and the community. In addition to overseeing major capital investments, the Director will lead the Department through a positive reorganization that streamlines operations, enhances accountability, and improves customer service. With the landmark Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan and preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games underway, the Director will play a pivotal role in shaping Long Beach’s future through strategic investments in infrastructure, mobility, and community livability. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact on a diverse, vibrant, and forward-looking city.

See the full recruitment brochure & benefits here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Brochure+LB+PWD+FINAL.pdf

• City Departments
• Proposed FY26 Budget
• 2030 Strategic Vision
• Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan

With approximately 532 full-time staff, an expense budget of $263 million, and a capital improvement program budget of $189 million in FY 26, the Department oversees streets and sidewalks, stormwater and traffic management, parking and mobility services, urban forestry, graffiti abatement, encampment cleanups, emergency response, and the design and delivery of major capital projects. A key focus in the years ahead is the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, a historic $1 billion program addressing Citywide infrastructure and preparing to showcase Long Beach to the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games through transformative investments in parks, facilities, mobility, and streets.

The Department is in the midst of an organizational transformation, including the transfer of Solid Waste Management out of Public Works to Energy and Environmental Services. While the Department will still maintain the Joint Call Center, this reorganization will make Public Works more focused and manageable while also reinforcing the importance of internal and external communications. Moving forward, the Department is committed to building a culture that is proactive, transparent, and highly communicative with staff, City departments, elected officials, and the community.

• Roads & Pavement Program: Addressing audit findings and closing funding gaps to improve the City’s Pavement Condition Index.
• Mobility & Safety Improvements: Expanded crosswalks, signal upgrades, traffic calming, and the Automated Speed Enforcement Pilot Program.
• Communications Overhaul: Revamping how the City communicates about projects and rethinking both internal and external communication strategies.
• Stormwater & Climate Resilience: Pump station upgrades, storm drain improvements, and new stormwater capture projects.

To learn more about the Department visit:

• Department Organizational Chart
• Department Website
• Department Proposed FY26 Budget

Position Duties

THE POSITION & IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Director of Public Works is a key member of the City’s executive leadership team and serves as the principal advisor to the City Manager, on all matters related to the City’s infrastructure, mobility, and public works services. With five direct reports and oversight of approximately 532 staff, the Director will manage the FY26 CIP budget of $189 million and an expense budget of $262 million, guiding the delivery of some of the most ambitious capital improvement projects in the City’s history.”

The ideal candidate is a hands-on and approachable leader and change agent who can connect with both technical professionals and field staff, while also navigating the highly visible world of elected officials, community members, and regional partners. They will foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness, and communication — both externally with the public and other agencies, and internally with staff and other departments.

Key qualities and experience include:

• Proven project and program management expertise
• Inspirational leadership
• Strong communication skills
• Labor relations experience
• Community oriented
• Politically savvy
• Customer service oriented

This is an exceptional opportunity for a humble yet decisive leader who thrives in both technical and community-facing environments and is energized by the chance to deliver transformational infrastructure investments that will benefit Long Beach for decades to come.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, construction management, planning, or a related field.
• Experience: Eight years of increasingly responsible experience in the development of the budget, development and administration of comprehensive public works construction, project management and engineering principles, public contract law, capital improvement with at least 5 years of significant management experience.

DESIRED

• Professional Licensing: Registration as a Professional Engineer a plus, but not required
• Education: Master’s degree 

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Education may be substituted for lengthy experience and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

An annual salary of $222,201 – 267,651* DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package.

*This position will receive a 1% general salary increase effective 9/20/25

See the full recruitment brochure & benefits here: https://irp.cdn-website.com/80f4e9b5/files/uploaded/Brochure+LB+PWD+FINAL.pdf

Other Qualifications