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A Public Works Director is a leader in public safety, activities, and projects. Key skills include communications, coordination, project management, and logistics. Your resume should have measurable achievements with strong bullets to showcase your abilities in actionable ways. Like all executive resumes, your resume should convey your ability to direct people and/or projects. Be sure to include your long-term results and leadership skills.
Expert Tip
You should never use a creative resume
Many job seekers think that an eye-catching resume template will help them stand out to hiring managers and increase their chances of landing an interview. This is a myth put out by resume builders that value design over content.
The truth is that most hiring managers prefer a traditional resume format.
Creative resume templates, like the one pictured here, can actually hurt your chances of landing an interview. Instead, you should use a basic resume format that quickly communicates your basic information and qualifications–like the one included below.
Public Works Director resume (text format)
How confident are you feeling about your resume? If you need more help, you can always refer to the following resume sample for a position.
Name
Title
City, State or Country if international
Phone | Email
LinkedIn URL
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PROFESSIONAL
A dedicated, detail-oriented Public Works Director highly regarded for evaluating projects and delegating tasks to ensure completion within specific timeframes and budgets. Out-of-the-box thinker who diligently addresses operational issues and ensure continued productivity. Known for superb work ethic, strong attention to detail, and the capacity to strictly enforce safety regulations and corporate policies. Recognized as well organized, demonstrating self-motivation, perseverance, and flexibility to ensure professional results exceed all expectations.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Collaboration
Public Safety and Security
Production Scheduling
Business Planning
Relationship Building
Project Coordination
Organizational Analysis
Maintenance Planning
Logistics
Team Leadership
Problem Solving
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Public Works Director
Company | Location | Year to Present
Responsibilities
Addressed conflicts with staff and the public immediately, listening to all sides and making educated decisions regarding resolutions.
Responded to all inquiries from the general public in a prompt and professional manner.
Fostered a climate of collaboration between the general public, the city manager and members of city council through [Action] and [Action].
Collaborated with members of city staff, public agencies and private organizations to achieve [Result].
Served as city representative at average of [Number] neighborhood meetings, workshops and retreats per [Timeframe].
Retained a strong knowledge of utilities production, facilities management and wastewater treatment through hands-on leadership.
Reviewed each departmental employee’s work performance and advised on ways to improve overall progress.
Analyzed completed projects against established budgets to track spending and determine levels of success.
Supervised and coached [Number] new staff members per [Timeframe].
Screened incoming employees, personal belongings and shipments for security concerns.
Gathered and analyzed data for studies and reports and made recommendations based on findings.
Public Works Director
Company | Location | Year to Year
Responsibilities
Cultivated close working relationships with other municipalities and governmental agencies to achieve [Result].
Researched and updated [City name] land use ordinances.
Set and administered effective policies covering [Area], [Area] and [Area].
Improved staff morale and reduced employee turnover by [Number]%.
Secured $[Amount] in grant money for the [Project name] project.
Coordinated funding for ongoing community programs including, [Program type], [Program type] and [Program type].
Initiated the planning and construction of a $[Amount] million new [Facility type] facility.
Maintained total security of [Description] by applying advanced [Type] skills and [Area] knowledge.
Public Works Director
Company | Location | Year to Year
Responsibilities
Upheld [Type], [Type] and [Type] compliance requirements.
Oversaw credentialing activities for all employees, contractors and consultants.
Co-created the annual budget and submitted it to the city council for review and approval.
Completed a $[Amount] upgrade of the [System name] system.
Drafted and edited written materials including agendas for city council meetings and [Document type].
Increased recreational program offerings for community members of all ages.
Served as the main point of contact for [Issue].
Oversaw upgrades to [Number] miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Interviewed job applicants, asking appropriate questions regarding background, expertise and education.
EDUCATION
Complete School Name, City, St/Country: List Graduation Years If Within the Last Ten Years
Complete Degree Name (Candidate) – Major (GPA: List if over 3.3)
Relevant Coursework: List coursework taken (even include those you are planning on taking)
Awards/Honors: List any awards, honors or big achievements
Clubs/Activities: List clubs and activities in which you participated
Relevant Projects: List 2-3 projects you have worked on
Everything you need to write your public works director resume
Now that you’ve seen an example of a job winning Public Works Director resume, here are some tips to help you write your own. You should always begin with a summary section. Remember to use basic formatting with clear section headings and a traditional layout. Finally, be sure to include top skills throughout your resume. We’ve included several examples common for Public Works Director below.
Let’s start with your resume summary section.
1. Summary
The resume summary replaces the out-of-date resume objective. A summary outlines the most impressive parts of your resume for easy recall by your potential employer, while also serving to fill in personal qualities that may not appear elsewhere on the page. Remember that summaries are short and consist of pithy sentence fragments! You can check out the Public Works Director resume example for more information!
Expert Tip
Always start with your most recent positions at the top of your resume. This is called reverse-chronological format, and keeps your most relevant information easy for hiring managers to review.
2. Formatting
Our experts recommend you start your resume with a resume summary, like the one above. Other common sections are Work Experience, Education, and either Skills or Core Competencies. Here are some guides from our blog to help you write these sections:
Some resumes will include other sections, such as Volunteer Experience or Technical Skills. When it comes to what sections you need to include on your resume, you will know best!
Other sections for you to consider including are foreign language skills, awards and honors, certifications, and speaking engagements. These could all be relevant sections for your resume.
3. Appropriate skills
Collaboration
Public Safety and Security
Production Scheduling
Business Planning
Relationship Building
Project Coordination
Organizational Analysis
Maintenance Planning
Logistics
Team Leadership
Problem Solving
Operational Assessment
Productivity
Time Management
Flexibility
Organization
Attention to Detail
4. Experience section
Your Work Experience section should make up the bulk of your resume. This section should include your relevant job titles, companies that employed you, and the dates you were employed.
The bulk of your Public Works resume should be the Work Experience section. While this section should include your relevant job titles, company, and the dates you were employed, it should also include your accomplishments and key skills. For example: • Fostered a climate of collaboration between the general public, the city manager and members of city council through [Action] and [Action]. This bullet shows you can create a great working environment while focusing on the most important qualities of the company.
Let’s wrap it up!
Standout resumes will include a resume summary, a traditional reverse-chronological layout, and the skills and experience relevant to your job target. This resume example shows how to include those elements on a page. It’s up to you to insert your personal compelling qualifications.
Keep your resume format easy to scan by both humans and computers; our resume template is designed by our experts to satisfy both audiences. And be sure to include your own skills, achievements, and experiences. Job-winning resumes are resumes that successfully market you, leading recruiters and hiring managers to want to learn more!
Finally, emphasize your interest with a customized cover letter. When writing, remember that the resume and cover letter should support each other. Check out our cover letter tips and examples for more advice.
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