Deputy Director of Public Works

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

• Description
• Benefits

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

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 drivers license; credit check; criminal history check; and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other benefits, 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 employees 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 benefits and compensation table for details.

Holidays

15 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually

(UNREP - EXEC Z1)

Employer City of Berkeley

Address 2180 Milvia Street (1st floor)

Human Resources Department

Berkeley, California, 94704

Phone (510) 981-6800

Website https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/jobs