Career Opportunity

Deputy Director of Support Services - Public Works (0954)

Recruitment: RTF0164867-01156013

Published: April 01, 2026

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

Specific information regarding this recruitment process is listed below.

Application Opening: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST 
The application filing period will be open at least through Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 5:00 PM and will close at any time thereafter. 
Compensation Range: $223,860 to $285,610 annually (Range A) 
Recruitment ID:  RTF0164867/PEX 0954-01156013
Appointment Type: Permanent Exempt 
This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive civil service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the appointing officer.

Public Works currently has a vacancy for the position of Deputy Director of Support Services (0954 Deputy Director IV)

The ideal candidate excels at researching and analyzing complex municipal policy issues, with a strong grasp of the City’s political dynamics, diverse stakeholder needs, and the legal and financial realities of local government. They understand the shifting post‑COVID economic landscape and can navigate it with sound judgment. The Deputy Director of Support Services is a collaborative, solutions‑oriented team member who manages complex assignments independently and communicates clearly and effectively.

San Francisco Public Works has a far-reaching portfolio with a $453 million annual operating budget, an active capital portfolio that exceeds $3 billion and a workforce of 1,700-plus employees. The department operates around the clock, touching every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages the construction of civic buildings and streets; cleans and greens the right of way; maintains civic buildings; manages multi-million-dollar bond programs; trains people for jobs; keeps the right of way free of hazards; paves the roads; repairs bridges and public stairways; expands accessibility; and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges. With a mission to enhance the quality of life in San Francisco for residents, visitors and business owners, Public Works is committed to providing outstanding public service through an equity lens.

Please visit the “About Us” section of our website at https://www.sfpublicworks.org to learn more about the department’s core values, Racial Equity Initiative, leadership team, history, budget and more. 

Role description

The Deputy Director serves under the broad direction of the Director of Public Works, helping to shape and execute the department’s strategic plan and ensuring its mission, vision, values, and goals are advanced across the organization. This role is entrusted with carrying out complex, high‑priority assignments that support the City’s most vital objectives.

The ideal leader is an attentive listener who is curious, open to new ideas, and effective at implementing organizational and process changes. They must be able to make tough, well‑reasoned decisions that advance departmental and Citywide priorities, even when those decisions may be difficult or unpopular.

This position requires the highest ethical standards and a commitment to good governance, transparency, and public trust. The Deputy Director should be an informed and enthusiastic ambassador for San Francisco Public Works, someone who values public service and leads with empathy in a fast‑paced environment filled with both challenges and opportunities.

Important and Essential Duties:
As the Deputy Director of Support Services your duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Act as a key strategic partner to the Director with developing and identifying solutions to challenges.
• Work effectively with the Public Works Director and be able to independently develop consequential policies and procedures and ensure implementation.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Human Resources division to ensure it provides exceptional services and supports our core business goals.
• Manage large, often cross-functional, organization-wide projects or initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Team to set strategic priorities, identify areas where leaders should direct their focus and set metrics for success, and then revisit those metrics regularly and evaluate progress based on them.
• Create and improve processes and operations within the organization. Analyze current procedures, structures and policies to determine the overall effectiveness of bureaus within the department.
• Discuss operational objectives with managers to make informed recommendations to improve the bureaus.
• Contribute to creating a high-performing organization by successfully engaging with staff and managing key projects on behalf of the Executive Team.
• Serve as a strategy partner to the Director and the Executive Team, providing insight that is both analytical and qualitative on the organization’s operations and key decisions.
• Bring together important stakeholders and help drive decisions, ensure alignment with department and City goals and objectives and follow up on action items to ensure timely progress; track impact on department operations.
• Support the Director to ensure execution of the department’s collaboration with other City departments and government agencies to address challenging street conditions, including unhoused populations.
• Serve as liaison between Public Works and Commissions, the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors, government panels and agencies, community organizations, business interests and other stakeholders.
• Assist the Director in implementing and supporting the department’s Racial Equity Action Plan and empower racial equity leaders on staff to ensure that action items are performed, tracked and transparent.
• Support the strategic planning of the department’s organizational structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems required to accomplish the department’s mission effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee the department’s employee and organizational development group, University of Public Works.
• Provide strategic leadership for the staff within the Human Resources, Training & Development, and Workforce Development sections. 

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications

Education: 
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in coursework such as public administration, public policy, social work, urban planning, business management, or a related field. 

Experience:
Six (6) years of management experience leading organization-wide initiatives, directing cross-departmental operations, and implementing strategic priorities within a large government organization. All of the qualifying experience must include supervisory. 

Education Substitution: Qualifying experience as described above may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of two (2) years. (One year of work experience is equal to 30 semester or 45 quarter units). 

Desirable Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree in business administration, finance, public administration, public policy, or related field.
• Prior public sector management experience including familiarity with the public budgeting process, human resources management, public contracting process, construction and operational delivery, and working in a unionized workplace bound by civil service rules.
• Prior experience working within or in partnership with the City & County of San Francisco.
• Experience managing or working with Human Resources programs
• Experience with staff and organizational development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience with public speaking and making public presentations; strong group facilitation skills.
• Organized, self-directed, detail-oriented, and able to effectively manage competing priorities to meet external timelines.
• Able to quickly pivot with changing priorities and maintain a professional and calm demeanor under pressure and amid high-stress situations.
• Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships with high emotional intelligence and diplomacy.

Verification:
Please make sure your application is complete and demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included in your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. 

Note: Any misrepresentation or falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

What else should I know?

What else should I know?

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: At the City and County of San Francisco, we share a commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community. Each member of our organization is responsible and accountable for what they say and do to make San Francisco an inclusive and equitable place to live and work by employing fair and just practices to and for all.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst. Reshma Shelke. at reshma.shelke@sfdpw.org

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.