Public Works Project Manager

Salary : $156,852.80 - $190,652.80 Annually
Location : Cupertino, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 11/04/2026
Closing Date: 11/25/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
The City of Cupertino is seeking a Public Works Project Manager to join its Capital Improvement Programs team. Working closely with the Capital Improvement Programs Manager and Senior Civil Engineer, the successful candidate will manage a variety of high-profile projects that enhance the City's infrastructure, parks, facilities, and public spaces.
This position offers the opportunity to lead projects from concept through construction while working with residents, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and City staff. The ideal candidate is a collaborative project manager who enjoys solving complex challenges, engaging with the community, and delivering successful public infrastructure projects.
For this recruitment, experience in the following areas is highly desirable:

• Public works capital improvement projects, including facilities, parks, storm drainage, transportation, or utility improvements.
• Community engagement and public outreach.
• Consultant procurement and management.
• Design and construction project delivery.

Essential Duties
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Plans, coordinates, and delivers capital improvement projects from project initiation through construction and closeout. Responsibilities include:
Project Management & Delivery

• Manage capital improvement projects involving public facilities, parks, streets, utilities, and other City assets.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and implementation strategies.
• Monitor project progress and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Identify project risks and develop solutions to maintain quality, cost, and schedule objectives.

Consultant & Contract Management

• Procure, negotiate, and manage professional service agreements.
• Direct the work of consultants, designers, contractors, and other project partners.
• Administer contracts, change orders, payments, and project closeout activities.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead public outreach efforts and serve as a project representative with residents, businesses, community organizations, advisory bodies, and regulatory agencies.
• Present project information to the City Council, commissions, and community groups.

Technical & Administrative Responsibilities

• Prepare staff reports, project documentation, budget requests, and technical reports.
• Interpret and apply applicable codes, regulations, and public contracting requirements.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external agencies to support project delivery.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of

Principles and practices of project management and capital project delivery.
Public contracting and procurement practices.
Budget development, monitoring, and cost control.
Contract negotiation and administration.
Community engagement and stakeholder communication.
General principles of civil engineering, construction, architecture, landscape architecture, and environmental permitting.
Ability to

Manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
Prepare and administer project budgets, schedules, and contracts.
Analyze complex technical and administrative issues and develop practical solutions.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with employees, consultants, public agencies, and community members.
Deliver presentations and facilitate meetings with diverse stakeholders.
Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these qualifications would be:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or a closely related field; and Three years of progressively responsible professional experience involving design, construction, or delivery of public infrastructure projects, including at least two years of project management responsibility.
License

Possession of a valid California Driver's License at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Possession of a Professional Engineering or Architectural License is not required but is desirable.

Supplemental Information
Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application to Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m., November 25, 2026. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to complete the supplemental application will disqualify the applicant from the recruitment process. Failure to list work experience or stating "See Resume" in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at , or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include a written examination and/or panel interview. An eligible list will be established as a result of this process and will remain in effect for 3 months from the date established.

City of Cupertino offers excellent Click HEREfor a description of benefits.
01

A completed supplemental application must be submitted along with a completed City of Cupertino application to be considered further. Your application will be disqualified if the supplemental questions are not answered. Please provide a response to each question and limit your responses to each question to no more than 300 words. "See Resume" responses will not be accepted. Please select "Yes" below to confirm you have read these instructions and continue to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

Describe a public works project that you managed from planning through construction. Include the project's purpose, approximate budget, your role, key challenges, and the outcome. Describe your responsibilities related to project planning, consultant management, budget and schedule control, contract administration, and stakeholder coordination.
03

Project managers are frequently asked to make recommendations before all information is available. Describe a recommendation you made that required professional judgment. What factors did you consider, what alternatives were evaluated, and what was the outcome?
Required Question