Careers

Careers in Public Works

Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you feel a responsibility to improve your community’s quality of life and protect the living environment at the same time?
Do you want to do something with your life that makes a difference to others?
Can you make tough choices and put in the hours preparing for a career in a technical or professional discipline?

If your answer is yes, there are many interesting choices and combinations to explore. Don’t box yourself in with arbitrary decisions right now. Before finalizing your education plans, take the time to do the research and talk things over with career counselors and people in the public works profession.

A career in public works provides many rewarding opportunities to earn the respect of others—and build self-respect as well—while keeping communities safe and healthy places for everybody.

Check out our "Public Works in Public Service!" PDF to learn about the benefits of working in public works, the opportunities available to you, and how this work directly impacts communities.

How to Prepare for a Career in Public Works

Possible Courses of Study:

Management and Administration

Public administration
Finance and business
Accounting
Computer sciences
Business courses
Personnel administration
Speech
English and humanities courses
Government or political science
Social sciences

Municipal Engineering

Civil engineering
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Surveying mathematics
Chemistry
Business administration

Environmental Engineering

Environmental sciences
Civil engineering
Chemistry/biology
Mathematics
Economics and business administration
Urban ecology
Ecological risk assessment
Water resources

Transportation

Civil engineering
Structural engineering
Mechanical and Industrial engineering
Architecture
Mathematics
Chemistry
Economics and business administration
Transportation planning
Fleet management
Public buildings and grounds management
Forestry/biology/landscape design
Automotive mechanics; electronics
Technical courses and apprenticeship programs
Advanced studies in public administration, law, public works administration, finance, or marketing

Level of Education for Potential Public Works Jobs

Graduate Degree or Professional Certification

City engineer
City manager
Financial manager
Public works director

Bachelor’s Degree

Accountant
Electrical engineer
Mechanical engineer
Land surveyor
Civil engineer
Environmental engineer
Environmental health specialist
Landscape architect
Marketing coordinator
Photogrammetrist (aerial mapper)
Structural designer
Transportation engineer
Waste reduction/recycling coordinator

Associate’s Degree

Administrative, accounting technician
CAD/Drafting technician
Environmental compliance inspector
Laboratory technician
Marketing assistant
Personnel administrator
Environmental specialist
Traffic signal and lighting technician

Vocational/Technical Schools

Automotive mechanical
Drafting
Computer training, operation, and maintenance
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning operation and maintenance
Heavy Equipment Operation, Maintenance, and Repair
Horticulture and plant sciences
Office Management

High School Diploma

Account clerk
Administrative assistant
Billing coordinator
Customer service
Driller’s assistant
Engineering/surveying aid or technician
Engineering technician
Equipment operator
Equipment service worker
Facilities maintenance
Highway maintenance
Library clerk
Mechanical maintenance technician
Office assistant
Photo lab technician
Plant and equipment mechanic
Public works inspector
Public works maintenance worker
Street sweeper operator
Treatment plant operator
Underground construction/maintenance specialist
Water/wastewater maintenance
Welder/mechanic
Word processor

Veterans in Public Works

Workforce Development Strategy and Roadmap

The Workforce Development Committee was formed to develop a workforce strategy and ensure that the association’s workforce development investment, activities, and programs produce the outcomes to support a skilled workforce in the public works sector. Please see the Workforce Development Strategy for focus areas and outcomes of the committee.

The Workforce Development Roadmap outlines the Workforce Development Committee's strategies and goals to increase recruitment and retention for public works.

Shaping the World of Public Works Booklet

The Shaping the World of Public Works Booklet is perfect for use with both secondary schools and community outreach efforts. This 20-page, full-color, informational booklet on public works careers is a fantastic item to get into students' hands at outreach presentations, career fairs, community events, and during National Public Works Week activities. With its sturdy construction, it is a great tool to provide tangible information about opportunities in public works for students, teachers, parents, and candidates.

Public Works Career Cluster Map chart image

The printable SWPW Career Chart provides a downloadable option of the chart included in the booklet. The chart cross-references 150 popular public works positions to their career clusters while providing working environment, required education, and average salary. This easy-to-print item provides immediate access to the information included on the chart in the booklet. This is a great way to preview what the materials include or to provide information to an individual.

APWA WorkZone

The APWA WorkZone provides listings of public work job opportunities across North America. Click through the available opportunities in APWA WorkZone or contact your local public works department today to see what jobs and career opportunities are available.

If you learn better by doing, you might find that some agencies can give you much-needed experience through part-time or temporary positions they have open. Some agencies even offer internships that provide college credit.

Visit the APWA WorkZone