Public Works
Public Works (PW) Departments and cities and counties are generally the department where most valuable agency assets are sold. These departments/divisions are not always called Public Works. They can be named Roads, Operations or many other things. Often times, Public Works departments have sub-departments including Fleet, Roads, Utilities (water, wastewater, stormwater, electric, etc.), and many other subcategories. Sometimes even the Parks Department falls under the overall PW Department. These departments sell all equipment that is used to build and maintain roads, water, streets, buildings, parks. Sometimes they oversee vehicles if the agency is small enough and doesn’t have a Fleet Manager.
Few things to keep in mind:
- These departments are usually set apart from the agency administrative buildings, and often are in the outskirts of a city/county because they need lots of land to house the equipment that they have. Sometimes their operations center is called a Corporate or City “Yard”
- Looking for Public Works Directors, Operations Managers, Roads Department, Water, Wastewater, Sewer, Stormwater Managers, etc.
- They often are in charge of the projects that include Heavy Equipment
- Look for special projects and sites that they manage like fueling stations, sometimes landfills, yards where they are breaking down materials, areas where they keep tanks, etc.
- Get involved with your local APWA Chapters – they are a great source for information, and they might be the side way in the door (selling their tools) to get Fleet and Rolling Stock.
Some Interesting Facts
APWA
US National/North America (includes Canada)
PWX 2022 – Charlotte, NC - 8/28-31
2022 Snow Conference – Pittsburgh, PA - 4/10-13
APWA US Local Chapters
Most local chapters have events – yearly or sometimes monthly.
Membership or at least local officers listed on each chapter page. These leaders may be able to open some doors for you.
APWA Calendar of Events
US/Canada National Chapters Calendar of Events
Alabama
Alberta
British Columbia
Public Works Association of British Columbia