THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA is seeking a forward-thinking Director of Public Works who can shape the future of one of California’s premier coastal cities. This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-performing department responsible for preserving and enhancing critical infrastructure, stewarding complex capital improvement projects, and addressing some of the region’s most unique engineering and environmental challenges. Working alongside an engaged City Council, collaborative executive team, and informed community, the next Director will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact through visionary leadership, innovative problem-solving, and strategic investment in the City’s long-term resilience and quality of life.

ABOUT RANCHO PALOS VERDES

Situated on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and among the rolling hills and bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes is a contract city that prides itself on its low-tax, low-density, and semi-rural environment. The City enjoys over 1,500 acres of expansive open space and picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and the Los Angeles basin. Rancho Palos Verdes’ diverse and active population of approximately 41,000 enjoys all the benefits of a coastal community with high-quality services and amenities.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The Public Works Department is responsible for a wide variety of activities, including leadership of the City’s infrastructure and environmental programs and the planning, development and maintenance of City assets including public buildings, parks, trails, roads, street trees, storm drains, and sanitary sewers. The Department is made up of three divisions: Capital Projects, Operations, and Maintenance. The Public Works department has a total of 20 full-time staff and a General Fund budget of $7.9 million for FY 26-27.

THE POSITION

The Director of Public Works is a hands-on executive leader that oversees, directs, and participates in all activities of the Public Works Department, including short and long-term planning, development, and administration of departmental policies, procedures, and services. The Director of Public Works is responsible for coordinating the activities of the department with those of other City departments, the City Attorney, and outside agencies, along with managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the Department. The Director of Public Works is an executive-level, non-represented, at-will position reporting directly to the City Manager. Key job functions include developing and managing the annual Public Works budget and the 5-year CIP; working to secure county, state, and federal grants; reviewing the designs, materials, reports, and processes proposed in connection with new construction or major repairs and improvements to City assets; recommending levels of service for utilities, streets, and drainage areas; communicating and conferring with engineers, developers, architects, and county, state, and federal agencies; overseeing the preparation of consultant requests for proposals and recommending contract award; negotiating and administering contracts and agreements; and preparing the Department to address emergencies or urgent matters that require an immediate Public Works response.

The ideal candidate will be a technical expert, hands-on executive who can lead complex, multidisciplinary projects and infrastructure organization; a team player and relationship builder; have a detail orientation and the technical skills to match; be a collaborative leader to build trust and work effectively across departments, with elected officials, City leaders, staff, and residents; and have the ability to comfortably communicate complex technical information clearly and credibly.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, business or public administration, or a related field.

• Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of management and/or administrative experience in engineering, public works operations and maintenance, business or public administration, or a related field. Experience working with the California Coastal Commission is desirable, but not a hard requirement for this position.

• Licensure: Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California is highly desirable.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary range for the Director of Public Works is $183,796 - $238,935. Placement within the range is negotiable and dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The City also offers retirement provided by CalPERS. Employees enrolled on or after October 6, 2012, employees receive 2% @ 60. If enrolled on or after January 1, 2013, employees receive 2% @ 62.

For additional benefit information, interested candidates are encouraged to review the detailed recruitment brochure by clicking on the .pdf link on this page.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered for this position, interested candidates must submit a cover letter and résumé below no later than Monday, November 30, 2026.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Bryan Noblett | bryan@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 217-3696