DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

Salary : $158,822.44 - $231,035.70 Annually
Location : San Marcos, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026 - 64
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 4:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
YOUR IMPACT
The Director of Public Works serves as a key member of the City's executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall direction and management of the Public Works Department. This position oversees the maintenance and operations of streets, fleet, facilities, parks, right of way landscapes, traffic signals, streetlights, stormwater systems, drainage infrastructure, and special district maintenance programs. In addition to maintaining the City's critical public assets and infrastructure, the Director will lead the implementation of major asset replacement and facility improvement projects, including building renovations, HVAC and building system replacements, park enhancements, and a growing portfolio of grant-funded initiatives that enhance services for the community.

The next Director of Public Works will have the opportunity to:

• Lead Exceptional Teams: Provide leadership and direction to managers, supervisors, and staff dedicated to delivering high-quality public services.
• Advance Strategic Priorities: Guide long-range planning efforts, asset management initiatives, and service delivery improvements that support the City's goals.
• Champion Operational Excellence: Ensure efficient and effective use of resources while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement.
• Oversee Complex Programs: Direct departmental operations, operating budgets, consultant contracts, maintenance activities, major asset replacement efforts, facility improvement projects, and externally funded initiatives.
• Build Strong Partnerships: Collaborate with elected officials, community members, regulatory agencies, developers, and regional partners to address public works challenges and opportunities.
• Shape the City's Future: Participate in Citywide initiatives and provide highly responsible professional assistance to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager on matters affecting public infrastructure and service delivery.

PUBLIC SERVICE IS AT OUR CORE
At the City of San Marcos, we are driven to serve more than 95,000 residents by providing the essential services and infrastructure that enhance quality of life. We are looking for a leader who embraces our organizational values and is committed to building a strong, sustainable future for our community.

Our core values include:

• Be Problem Solvers (Customer Service): Anticipate needs and provide effective solutions.
• Be Good Partners (Teamwork): Collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Fiscal Responsibility (Operate Like an Efficient Business): Make informed decisions that support long-term financial sustainability.
• Build to Last (Professionalism): Deliver high-quality work that benefits the community for years to come.

THE RIGHT PERKS
The Director of Public Works position offers an outstanding executive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary
• 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
• Employer-paid medical premiums at 90%
• Dental and vision benefits
• Fourteen paid holidays annually
• Vacation and sick leave accruals
• Executive leave benefits
• Participation in the CalPERS retirement system
• Social Security participation
• Tuition reimbursement program, which may also be used toward eligible student loan payments

Please review the Benefits tab for complete details regarding the City's benefits package.
Recruitment timeline

• Application deadline: Applications will be accepted through 4:00 p.m. on November 2, 2026.
• Application review and HR Career Conversation: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Based on the application review, top-qualified candidates who's experience most aligns with the position needs will be invited to participate in a required virtual HR Career Conversation as the next step in the competitive selection process. Career Conversations will be scheduled on a rolling basis throughout the application period. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early to allow sufficient time for consideration and scheduling. Participation in a Career Conversation does not guarantee advancement to the first-round interview.
• First-round interviews (in-person): TBD
• City Manager interviews (in-person): TBD

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Please click on the link below to read the full job description.

Director of Public Works Director - $158,822.44 - $231,035.70 annually
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, construction management, public administration, civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or a related field is preferred. However, equivalent experience, certification, licensure and/or education will be considered in lieu of a degree. A master's degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public works management, infrastructure maintenance, or municipal operations, including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Professional certifications and/or licenses and accreditations are highly desirable.
Holidays - The City observes fourteen (14) paid holidays that include eleven (11) specifically designated days and three (3) floating holidays.
Vacation Leave - A new employee will accrue eighty (80) hours of vacation per calendar year for the first two years of service, one hundred, twenty (120) hours for years three through five, one hundred, sixty (160) hours for years six through ten and two hundred (200) hours after eleven years. Vacation accrual begins immediately; however, a new employee is not eligible to take vacation leave until the completion of six (6) months of service with the City.
Executive Leave - Executive managers receive eighty (80) hours of executive leave per year.
Auto and cell phone allowance - Executive managers receive $396 per month for auto allowance and $75 per month for cell phone allowance, or the option to receive a City cell phone.
Sick Leave - A new employee will earn ninety-six (96) hours of sick leave each year.

Bereavement Leave - Employees are eligible to use up to 40 hours of bereavement leave per fiscal year.
Group Health Insurance Program - A new employee will become a member of one of the City's group health plans (Aetna HMO, Aetna WHN, Aetna PPO, or Kaiser HMO) effective the first day of the month following their date of hire. The City will pay 90% of the health care premium and employees will pick up 10% of the premiums of the plan they select.

Voluntary Dental/Vision Insurance Programs - The City offers two voluntary dental insurance programs, an HMO program and a PPO Program, as well as a voluntary vision insurance program.

Section 125 Flexible Spending Account - All employees are eligible to participate in the City's Section 125 Flexible Spending Account plan administered by Benefit Coordinators Corporation (BCC). This is an IRS-approved plan which enables you to have withheld from your paycheck an amount to cover eligible dependent care, and certain eligible medical expenses without being subject to federal income or social security tax on the income used to pay for these benefits.
Retirement - The City participates in both the Social Security (FICA) and the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS). The City currently contracts with CalPERS for the 2% at 55 benefit formula, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for CLASSIC members and 2% at 62, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, and 3 year average final pay for PEPRA (new) members. Employees will contribute 7% or 6.5% towards CalPERS, depending whether a classic or new member.
Retiree Health Savings (RHS) - All employees participate in a Retiree Health Savings plan through the ICMA Retirement Corporation.
Additional Benefits - The City offers additional benefits such as short and long-term disability, group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and workers' compensation insurance.
01

The Director of Public Works serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team and is responsible for leading a diverse department focused on operations, maintenance, asset management, and service delivery. Describe your leadership philosophy and approach to establishing priorities, building accountability, and fostering a culture of collaboration and customer service within a large organization.
02

Describe a time when you led a significant operational improvement, service enhancement, or organizational change within a Public Works or municipal services environment. How did you engage employees, manage competing priorities, and measure success? What was the overall impact on service delivery or organizational effectiveness?
03

The Director of Public Works regularly communicates with elected officials, executive leadership, residents, and community stakeholders regarding service levels, operational challenges, and emerging issues. Describe your approach to building trust, communicating difficult information, and responding to community concerns while maintaining a focus on organizational priorities.
04

Public Works departments must balance day-to-day service delivery with long-term asset preservation and infrastructure needs. Describe how you approach allocating resources between immediate operational demands and longer-term maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement priorities. Please provide a specific example.
Required Question