Coordinator Public Works Projects

City of Palo Alto • Palo Alto, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Palo Alto is seeking a skilled, organized, and collaborative self-starter to join the Open Space, Parks, and Golf division as a Coordinator Public Works Projects. This role is responsible for leading a variety of capital improvement projects focused on outdoor spaces, including trails, playgrounds, and sports fields, ensuring they remain safe, sustainable, and well-maintained. The Community Services Department enhances the quality of life in Palo Alto by providing safe, beautiful, and welcoming spaces and a wide range of recreational, cultural, and educational programs. This position supports the Open Space (over 4,000 acres of natural lands), Park Services (162 acres of developed parkland), and Municipal Golf Course (Baylands Golf Links). Palo Alto, the birthplace of Silicon Valley, is a full-service municipality known for innovation, sustainability, and public service.

Requirements

• Education equivalent to two years of college coursework or related training.
• Three years of experience in public works operations, facility or landscape maintenance, or a related field, including at least two years in a lead role or overseeing contractor work.
• A Bachelor’s degree may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• A valid California Driver’s License.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans.
• Strong foundation in construction or project management.
• Organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, and capable of working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate clearly, listen well, and work with a wide range of people.
• Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Three years experience in public works operations, at least two of which have been in coordinating and monitoring work of contractors or in a lead/supervisory capacity.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with parks and trail maintenance, playground maintenance, resurfacing, site amenities, irrigation, turf care, or construction.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, public contracting, and field inspection practices.
• Familiar with the Palo Alto procurement process.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and manage construction and infrastructure improvement projects from initiation through completion.
• Coordinate contractor activities across multiple maintenance and capital initiatives.
• Conduct site inspections to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with project plans and specifications.
• Lead or support project meetings with contractors, City staff, and stakeholders to track budgets, timelines, and deliverables.
• Identify and resolve project challenges to maintain progress and meet deadlines.
• Maintain and submit detailed records related to billing, scheduling, and project documentation.
• Assist with preparing budget requests and regular progress reports.
• Collaborate with community groups and volunteers to support improvement initiatives.
• Coordinates work by contractors for various maintenance activities.
• Develops work schedules, establishes priorities, reviews and adjusts schedules to meet division requirements.
• Conducts periodic surveys to determine maintenance needs; formulates programs to be carried out by contractors or City forces to perform needed maintenance.
• Keeps accurate reports of contract and other assigned activities and submits progress, performance and completion reports, work order records, purchase requests, requisitions, and reports of claims against the City.
• Determines needs, collects data and makes recommendations to appropriate level of management on budget requirements.
• Works with engineers, supervisors, arborist and consultants on project planning, preparation, scheduling and execution of contracts.
• Develops plans, specifications and other requirements for each assigned contract or project; organizes work to best utilize resources.
• Makes public contacts as needed in relation to contract and division services; responds to complaints and explains City policies.
• Ensures compliance pertaining to all relevant and environmental codes and regulations.
• Supervises contractors performing maintenance on City-owned and private trees.
• Reviews work completed and prepares daily, monthly and quarterly summaries of work accomplished and unit costs of significant operations.
• Makes periodic inspections of construction and maintenance work performed by private contractors in the public right-of-way.
• May supervise in-house crews and/or contract inspectors.

Benefits

• CalPERS Pension – Lifetime retirement income with up to 100% of your highest salary.
• Fully Paid Medical, Dental & Vision – Coverage for you and eligible dependents.
• Six Weeks Paid Parental Leave.
• Up to $10,000/year in Childcare Assistance.
• Generous Time Off – Up to 200 hours of vacation plus 13 paid holidays.
• Commuter Perks – Unlimited Bay Area transit with Clipper BayPass, including Caltrain, BART, VTA, MUNI, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree