Public Works Directors: How to Become One

If you were to ask a group of public works directors about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.

That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.

The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for public works directors to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of public works directors expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.

Keep reading to learn more about career steps for public works directors.

What Education & Experience is Needed for Public Works Directors?

Do public works directors need a degree? What kind of experience do public works directors typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for public works directors to secure jobs.

Education Level Required in Job Postings for Public Works Directors

A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of public works directors. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 36% of positions. In 30% of job listings no education level was listed and in 18% of postings a master's degree was required.

Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Public Works Directors

While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for public works directors. In 30% of job postings for Public Works Directors, employers were looking for candidates with 4-6 years of experience. In 26% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 0-1 years of experience was sought in 17% of job postings for public works directors.

What Kind of Degree Do Public Works Directors Need?

So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for public works directors, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?

According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 31 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective public works directors, and in 2023 a total of 1,129,992 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.

Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective public works directors.

Top Degree Programs for Public Works Directors

Top Online College For Working Adults

Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.

Degree Options for Public Works Directors

What Skills Do Public Works Directors Need?

Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by public works directors to secure a job?

A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for public works directors, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.

In-Demand Skills for Today's Public Works Directors
Based on 83,738 job postings

Based on 83,738 job postings related to public works directors, finance was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 14% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, project management, accounting, auditing and public administration were also highly sought.

As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for public works directors, followed by management, leadership, operations, customer service and planning.

Additional Links

Ready to dig deeper into career information about public works directors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for public works directors.

What do public works directors do?
How much do public works directors make?

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