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.

How to Prepare for a Career in Public Works

Possible Courses of Study:

Management and Administration

Municipal Engineering

Environmental Engineering

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

Associate’s Degree

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

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