Director of Public Works

The City of Lynwood is recruiting a Director of Public Works to serve as an Executive At‑Will position reporting to the City Manager. This role provides leadership over public infrastructure and municipal services, including streets, water, sewer, facilities, fleet, and capital improvement projects, while managing a department of approximately 50 staff.

The position offers a salary range of $176,684.17 – $214,706.74 with a comprehensive benefits package. A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or a related field and seven years of progressively responsible public works experience are required; a P.E. license is highly desirable. First review of applications is March 31, 2026.

The Director of Public Works is an Executive At-Will position that serves at the discretion of the City Manager. The PW Director plans, organizes, directs and coordinates a comprehensive public infrastructure and municipal services program to protect and enrich the daily lives of the people who live, work, and visit the City of Lynwood. City of Lynwood offers a team-oriented environment and the PW Director will be well supported by the City Manager, other Department Directors, and the City Council.

• Strategic Leadership: Lead and shape essential public services including streets, grounds, wastewater, facilities, fleet, and capital improvement projects.
• Community Impact: Make a direct, visible impact on quality of life, public safety, and infrastructure reliability for residents and businesses.
• Capital Project Oversight: Plan and deliver major infrastructure and capital improvement projects from design through construction.
• Policy & Innovation: Modernize public works operations through technology, sustainability initiatives, and data-driven decision-making.
• Budget & Resource Management: Develop and manage operating and capital budgets, grants, and long-range infrastructure funding plans.
• Collaborative Governance: Work closely with the City Manager, City Council, department, regional agencies, and the community.
• Workforce Development: Mentor and develop a diverse team of engineers, supervisors, administration and field staff.
• Long-Term Visioning: Play a key role in long-range planning, asset management, and resilience planning.

The new PW Director will be expected to embody the attributes of principled leadership: trusteeship, values, ethics, commitment, honesty, involvement, and vision.

Along with the attributes previously identified, the professional characteristics and talent that accurately align with the PW Director include the following:

• Ethically minded with a high level of integrity.
• Participative and inclusive management style.
• Strong Emotional Intelligence.
• Autonomous; does not require extensive direction or guidance.
• Dedicated to quality service.
• Exceptional communicator with superior interpersonal skills and sensitivity.
• Effective negotiator.
• Collaborative and strategic thinker.
• Displays enthusiasm and optimism toward work, team and community.
• Expertise at motivating, energizing, and developing staff.
• Consistently exercises sound judgment and remains calm under pressure.
• Comfortable and capable of managing and developing a diverse workforce and community.
• Flexible and capable of succeeding in a dynamic work environment.

CITY OF LYNWOOD

OUR CITY
OUR TEAM
OUR DEPARTMENTS

The City of Lynwood is an ethnically diverse, multicultural, and youthful community with a population of 67,357 residents. The city encompasses 4.9 square miles within Los Angeles County and is ideally situated near the Highway 105 and 710 corridors adjacent to the cities of South Gate and Downey. Since Lynwood’s incorporation in 1921, the City has developed and expanded as a community with a path of progressive economic development and is expected to continue attracting new businesses and industry.

With 50 team members, PW is responsible for maintaining and repairing the City’s water system, sewer system, streets, storm drains, street lighting, traffic signals, parks, median islands, buildings and related facilities. In addition, the Department oversees tree maintenance and administers the trolley bus, oil recycling, refuse collection/recycling, and street sweeping. Other key focus areas include planning, designing and constructing capital improvement projects and reviewing and issuing permits for private development projects in compliance with NPDES, ADA, and other regulations and laws. For additional information about the Department’s activities, visit
http://lynwoodca.gov/public-works/

City Manager’s Office
City Clerk
City Treasurer
Community Development
Finance & Administration
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation & Community Services
Information Technology

EDUCATION
Possession of Bachelor’s Degree with major in Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or closely related field. Possession of a valid professional engineering (P.E.) is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATION
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the Public Works administration including engineering, oversight of infrastructure, operations maintenance, capital improvement projects related and including at least three (3) years in supervisory or administrative capacity over professional, sub professional engineering, maintenance and utility service personnel.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
This recruitment will be conducted on a confidential basis throughout the process. We will not contact references until mutual interest has been established. After we receive applications, we will invite only the most qualified candidates to interview. The position is “open” until a final selection has been made.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The annual salary for the Public Works Director at-will position, is $176,684.17 - $214,706.74. In addition to a competitive salary, the City of Lynwood offers:

• RETIREMENT – City offers CalPERS benefits with a 3% @ 60 for Classic Employees or 2% at 62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the limitations set by PERS. Employee pays the employee portion
• MEDICAL INSURANCE – The City contributes up to $1,128.40 per month towards any medical plan selected by the employee and his/her eligible dependents
• DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE – The City will contribute up to 80% of the family premium
• All employees are required to pay 8% CalPERS member contribution
• LONG-TERM DISABILITY – Covered at 100% by the City
• SHORT-TERM DISABILITY – Covered at 100% by the City
• LIFE INSURANCE – $50,000 Life, AD&D covered 100% by the City
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION – The City offers a choice of two deferred compensation providers
• VACATION – Accrued at two weeks each year with increases based on years of service
• SICK LEAVE – 96 hours annually
• MANAGEMENT LEAVE – 90 hours annually
• OTHER LEAVE – Holidays: 13 paid holidays and 4 days floating holidays annually
• CAR ALLOWANCE – $500/month
• 4-10 WORK SCHEDULE – (City Hall is closed on Fridays)
• ADDITIONAL BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE: Longevity Pay, Education Incentive, Bilingual Pay, an Employee Assistance Program, Electronic Media allowance and opportunities for Citywide Training and a flexible schedule

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• City of Lynwood