Manager, Public Works

Job Description:

Manager, Public Works

Description

Description

The City of Irvine is seeking a Manager to oversee the Project Management section of the Public Works & Sustainability Department. The role of the Manager is to provide leadership and oversight of major public works construction projects, including infrastructure, transportation, and municipal facilities, including third party work within the City's public right-of-way. This role is ideal for a results-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, highly visible environment and brings strong project management, personnel management, leadership, and communication skills. The Manager leads the project management section and ensures the successful delivery of complex capital projects that support the City's long-term goals and community needs.

This recruitment will supplement an eligibility list for the Manager, Public Works, position which will expire on June 23, 2026. If you are already on an eligibility list for the Manager, Public Works, position, please reapply to demonstrate interest and update your application information.

Your Impact

• Manage and oversee the City's most complex and high-profile capital construction projects from planning through completion.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate project management staff; ensure progress, provide technical guidance and quality control of work products.
• Direct and participate in the development and review of City Council memos and staff reports, construction proposals, work plans, bid specifications, RFPs, contract documents, and consultant agreements.
• Oversee construction activities, phasing, resource allocation, inspection services, and schedules to ensure projects are delivered on scope, on budget, and on time.
• Manage and monitor labor compliance and construction funding, including grant compliance, expenditures, and adherence to City purchasing policies.
• Oversee section administrative functions including work program development, budget preparation, and monitoring, and approval of budget adjustments, contracts, change orders, and purchases.
• Serve as the City's technical and policy liaison with outside agencies, utilities, contractors, and partner organizations.
• Ensure compliance with interagency agreements, applicable laws, codes, regulations, and construction standards.
• Engage proactively with residents, developers, contractors, and property owners on construction-related issues and requirements.
• Manage the inspection of third party developments within the public right-of-way, making sure sufficient resources are allocated to monitor and manage construction activities on the public right-of way.
• Support development, implementation, and compliance of construction standards, policies, and best practices within the Public Works & Sustainability Department.
• Find additional information in the Manager, Public Works, job description.

Best Fit

• Proven experience managing complex roadway, transportation, and facilities improvement projects in a public sector environment.
• Strong background in capital project management, including scope, budget, schedule, contracts, and construction oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop professional staff and manage performance in a team-based environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and provide strict quality control on consultant deliverables and services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting to City Council, Commissions, and the Executive Team.
• Knowledge of public works construction practices, engineering and construction administration, budget and contract management, and applicable regulations.
• Ability to navigate stakeholder interests and serve as a trusted advisor to elected officials, staff, and the public.
• Ability to develop and maintain a positive team culture with members from different professional backgrounds.
• Registration as a California Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Certified Construction Manager is highly desirable.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible public works program administration experience.
• Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Your Team
The Mission of the Employees of the City of Irvine is to create and maintain a community where people can live, work, and play in an environment that is safe, vibrant, and aesthetically pleasing. We are one team that exists to serve our community in the continual pursuit of a City that offers an exceptional quality of life. The City of Irvine’s five values of Humility , Innovation , Empathy , Passion , and Integrity reflect the interests and needs of the community, and the level of service they expect and desire. We are One Irvine through embrace of a team-oriented approach by living our values every day.

The Public Works & Sustainability Department combines the strengths of Administration & Planning, Park Development, Transportation Planning & Mobility, Infrastructure Maintenance & Operations, Capital Project Delivery, and Sustainability & Environmental Programs to create a unified approach to infrastructure management and sustainability. City assets include streetscapes, open space, City parks (community and neighborhood), athletic fields, bike trails, roadways, traffic signals, and more. The Capital Improvement Program has an annual delivery of $100 million in capital projects, in addition to the delivery of the globally relevant Great Park.
The Process
The selection process will include an examination and a background investigation prior to appointment. This recruitment may establish an eligibility list to fill future positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage you to inform Human Resources at least two business days prior to the first phase of the selection process if you have a disability that may require an accommodation.



Closing Date/Time: 1/23/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$132,329.60 - $206,190.40 Annually