Deputy Director of Public Works*
San Bernardino County San Bernardino, California, United States
- Location: San Bernardino, California, United States
- Categories: Administration and Management, Other, Public Works
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Aug 08, 2026
Job Description:
Deputy Director of Public Works*
Description
The JobAPPLY BY SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works is seeking a visionary and strategic Deputy Director* to provide executive leadership for the Transportation and Flood Control Divisions. This is a unique opportunity to lead the planning, delivery, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of critical infrastructure that supports public safety, mobility, and flood protection throughout one of the nation's largest counties.
Under general direction, the Deputy Director plans, organizes, and directs the operations of the Transportation and Flood Control Divisions. The position provides executive leadership to managers, engineers, technical staff, and field operations teams, overseeing transportation programs, flood control operations, capital improvement projects, roadway maintenance, and emergency response activities. Responsibilities include establishing strategic priorities, developing and administering division budgets, overseeing contracts and regulatory compliance, implementing policies and operational improvements, and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with County goals. The Deputy Director also serves as a key advisor to executive leadership and represents the Department with elected officials, partner agencies, developers, consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders.
*Official Title: Chief Public Works Engineer. For more information, please review the Chief Public Works Engineer job description.
About the Transportation and Flood Control Divisions
The Transportation Division maintains and improves approximately 2,573 miles of County roadways, providing roadway maintenance, grading, pavement preservation, traffic operations, environmental coordination, and delivery of major capital improvement projects through a network of strategically located maintenance yards. The Flood Control Division operates and maintains an extensive system of dams, channels, conservation basins, and storm drains to protect communities from flooding, support water conservation and water quality, and coordinate regional flood control improvements throughout San Bernardino County. Together, these divisions provide essential infrastructure and services that enhance public safety, economic vitality, and quality of life for residents and businesses across the County.
To learn more about the Department of Public Works and how our divisions serve and support the community, visit the Department of Public Works website.
View the Deputy Director of Public Works Recruitment Brochure
https://hr.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/Documents/Deputy-Director-of-Public-Works.pdf
EXCELLENT BENEFITS
To review job-specific benefits, refer to: Summary of Benefits and the Exempt Compensation Ordinance
The County also offers an alternative Modified Benefits Option (MBO) that provides a wage differential.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must possess all of the following requirements:
License: Must be a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California. Indicate registration number in the Certificate/License section of the application. Education: A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely-related field. Experience:
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the management and supervision of professional and technical personnel involved in public works projects, including planning, design, construction, and maintenance of public works facilities. Candidates must have at least one (1) year of qualifying management level experience as above.
Education Substitution: Applications may be accepted from candidates who possess a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field if they are Registered Civil Engineers in the State of California and have eight (8) years of qualifying experience.
Degree/Coursework Note: Any qualifying degree/coursework obtained outside the United States must be accompanied by an equivalency report from an accredited credential evaluation service.
Desired Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with experience managing complex public works or civil infrastructure programs. They will have a strong background in engineering, project management, budgeting, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to lead diverse teams and build effective partnerships. Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are essential, as is a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering high-quality public services.
Selection Process
Interested candidates must submit:
- Compelling cover letter;
- Comprehensive resume;
- Three (3) professional references.
Questions should be addressed to: Kristen Rojas ([email protected])
Priority Application Review: Applications received by Friday, September 4, 2026 will be included in the first review/processing of applications; subsequent reviews may be conducted as needed to meet business needs. Recruitment may close at anytime once sufficient qualified applications are received.
To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.
All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applications are encouraged to check their emails frequently to obtain any correspondence associated with this recruitment. Please be sure the email provided on this application is always current; it is your responsibility to update your personal information. Update your Spam, Junk, Bulk and Firewall settings as needed to ensure that you receive all information pertaining to this recruitment.
If you need technical assistance, access the review the Government Jobs online application guide or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by your internet connection, computer, or browser when submitting an application.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) / Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) compliant employer, dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities for allemployees and applicants.
ADA Accommodation:
If you have a disability and need accommodations during the testing process, please submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form (Download PDF) within one week of the recruitmentfiling deadline.
Veterans' Preference:
Eligible veterans, their spouses, or widows/widowers who are not current County employees mayreceive additional Veterans' Preference points. For details and instructions on how to request thesepoints, please refer to the Veterans' Preference Information (Download PDF) .
For more important details, review the Applicant Information and County Employment Process .
Exempt Unit-Group C
San Bernardino County offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of other voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.
Please review the appropriate Summary of Benefits * for more information
Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County’s Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Employee Benefits website for more detailed information.
*Retirement benefits subject to change.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous