A public works director is in charge of overseeing a variety of projects and facilities that are funded the town or city in which he works and are, in most cases, intended for use the residents of that town or city. Parks, road construction, and water quality maintenance are examples of projects and facilities with a broad scope. A public works manager frequently collaborates with a mayor or city council. He usually has a background in engineering, business, or government administration.
The specific responsibilities of a public works director vary town, but they are generally quite broad. In essence, the director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of planning, construction, and maintenance of all town-funded projects and facilities that are intended for public use. Building or repairing roads, planning and caring for parks, and maintaining the quality of a town’s sewage system and water supply are examples of such projects. In a small town, the public works manager may be heavily involved in all of the town’s public projects. A public works director in a large city, on the other hand, may be in charge of a team of managers who are responsible for the details of individual projects.
Reading blueprints, reviewing contract bids, preparing budget reports, ordering materials needed to build and maintain public projects, and ensuring that projects comply with all relevant local, state, and national laws are all part of the public works director’s job. He may be in charge of the city’s employees as well as, in some cases, the various contractors hired to complete public construction projects. He may also be required to plan projects and budgets with the help of a mayor or town council, as well as discuss issues and explain upcoming projects to town residents. Because he interacts with so many different people, he needs to be able to communicate effectively.
The specific educational requirements for becoming a public works director can vary. Some directors have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have worked their way up from lower-level public works positions to become directors. Public works directors, on the other hand, are more likely to have an educational background that prepares them to navigate the various aspects of the job, including both technical and managerial aspects. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering, business, or public administration is common among directors.