Public Works Supervisor

Salary : $73,798.40 - $89,710.40 Annually
Location : Davis, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00939
Department: Public Works Department
Division: Utilities & Operations
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, and supervises the work of staff performing public works infrastructure maintenance duties including streets and stormwater maintenance and operations; responds to citizen complaints and requests for assistance; oversees employee safety training programs; ensures all new infrastructure construction meets City standards; provides complex staff assistance to management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over maintenance staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the full supervisory-level class in the Public Works Maintenance series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized public works, streets, and stormwater infrastructure operations, construction, repair, and maintenance activities with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff and for providing technical support to management in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

Examples of Duties

Examples of Typical JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of maintenance staff; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
• Monitors activities of the public works maintenance work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Coordinates assigned services and operations with other divisions and outside agencies.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors and approves expenditures; orders materials, supplies, tools, and equipment necessary for maintenance projects; prepares job cost estimates and submits reports; prepares purchase orders and requisitions.
• Provides staff assistance to management; prepares written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, and files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and outside agencies; recommends corrective actions to resolve issues.
• Receives and transmits work orders electronically; prioritizes work order requests, generates new work orders, and assigns tasks accordingly; reviews work orders upon completion; prepares, maintains, inputs, and queries detailed logs, records, and reports of maintenance and repair activities via automated software systems.
• Ensures compliance of maintenance tasks with appropriate laws, rules, and regulations.
• Participates in all safety programs required to effectively perform associated job requirements.
• Inspects new installations and repair work during its performance and upon its completion; participates in the development of new systems and equipment.
• Reviews plans and specifications; collaborates with engineering staff on plans, specifications, and inspections of construction-related Capital Improvement Projects; ensures all new infrastructure and projects meet City standards.
• Coordinates and conducts employee safety training programs; maintains both public and employee safety in the field.
• Coordinates emergency and special assignments with other City departments and divisions, and with outside agencies and contractors.
• Maintains files, databases, and records of maintenance and repair activities; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

When assigned to Stormwater Maintenance Division:

• Troubleshoots, oversees, and directs the maintenance, inspection, and repair of the City's pump stations, stormwater mains, laterals, inlets, treatment structures, drainage infrastructure, maintenance holes, field inlets, detention ponds, drainage channels, and access roads.
• Mitigates vegetation growth; ensures proper maintenance and operation of channels, access roads, and detention ponds.
• Evaluates and quantifies all operations of the stormwater system to balance and schedule workloads.
• Collaborates with management to identify and mitigate any potential flooding as well as fire, private, and County water inflow concerns.

When assigned to Streets Maintenance Division:

• Oversees a wide variety of public works infrastructure maintenance and repair work on curbs, gutters, streets, and sidewalks including pothole repairs, asphalt patching, and street and curb painting.
• Oversees fabrication, repair, replacement, and installation of street and traffic signs.
• Oversees set-up and tear down of furniture and equipment for City-wide special events.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public works infrastructure maintenance and repair functions.
• City standards and specifications including materials, methods, equipment, and tools used in public works maintenance activities.
• Basic methods of estimating time, cost, and equipment necessary to perform assigned work.
• Operation of a variety of maintenance and construction vehicles and equipment.
• Maintenance practices of transportation infrastructure, and state standards for signing, striping, and work zone safety.
• Municipal stormwater collection systems
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively interacting with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
  • Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Identify problems, research and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.
• Perform the most complex maintenance and repair work.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Inspect work in progress and upon completion; identify areas needing improvement.
• Maintain the health and safety of employees and the general public; identify safety hazards; minimize City liabilities in the field; observe safety rules.
• Obtain certifications as required by OSHA/CalOSHA and provided by the City, to perform assigned duties.
• Estimate material, tools, and equipment required to perform maintenance-related activities; make related purchases following the City's purchasing procedures.
• Operate a variety of field maintenance equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Read, understand, and interpret work orders, blueprints, diagrams, construction drawings, plans, and specifications.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade, supplemented by specialized training in street maintenance, stormwater collection, or a related field.

Experience:

• Four (4) years of responsible experience in public works construction and maintenance or stormwater collection, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within probationary period, a valid certification in American Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED to be maintained throughout employment.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaginga weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Working Conditions
May be required to be on-call and to work various shifts or emergencies on evenings, weekends, and holidays.