Deputy Director of Public Works

Salary : $171,066.90 - $246,075.23 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2026-11-1073
Department: Public Works
Division: Office of the Director
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 12/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley, California, seeks a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Deputy Director of Public Works - Transportation & Administration (Deputy Director). Newly established as part of a strategic realignment of responsibilities within the Public Works Department, this position provides dedicated leadership for Administrative and Fiscal Services, the Transportation Division, and the recently created Measure FF division, strengthening coordination and supporting the continued success of these essential service areas. Overseeing four direct reports, approximately 80 indirect staff, and an annual operating budget of $25M and 5-year capital program of over $150M, the Deputy Director advances multimodal transportation improvements, guides critical infrastructure investments, and enhances departmental operations and financial management. The ideal candidate brings expertise in municipal transportation, parking management, financial management, and organizational leadership, along with political acumen to navigate complex challenges and serve a highly engaged community. Apply today to help guide programs and investments that keep Berkeley moving forward!

View the full recruitment brochure here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/7d04fd3a-d7d3-45e8-8c2c-c88c163fe50e

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills outlined is:

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from a college or university with major coursework in business administration, public administration, planning, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, forestry, horticulture, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering or a field which provide the knowledge and skills required for administrative work in environmental resource management and community affairs.
• Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in a Public Works function or in municipal administration, which includes a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience of professional and technical staff.
• Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-per-year basis.
• Desired: An appropriate advanced degree and/or experience in contract administration in a municipal or public agency setting, and experience working with community organizations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

For first consideration, please submit your application by December 7, 2026.
EXAM PROCESS
Applicants selected to move forward will participate in virtual panel interviews and assessments on January 7 and 8, 2027 before advancing to final in-person interviews, anticipated for late January.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background check that may include, but is not limited to: confirmation of employment history, educational credentials and degrees, certificates, registrations, and licenses including driver's license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.

Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.

Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).

Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170.80 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.

Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes an amount equal to the cost of the Kaiser premium minus a $50 monthly employee contribution. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $3,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $3,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.

Vision Plan
The City provides vision benefits through Vision Service Plan. The plan covers 100% for eye exams and lenses every 12 months with $25 copays. The plan also provides an allowance for frames every 24 months.

Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy in the amount of $25,000. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.

Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.

Vacation
New employees accrue 80 or 120 hours of vacation annually, depending on classification. Vacation accrual rates increase with additional years of service. See the for details.

Holidays
15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
(UNREP - EXEC Z1)