Public works and maintenance crews keep a community running: roads patched, drains clear, parks mowed, buildings repaired, and streets cleared after storms. These jobs are often steady, come with good benefits, and may not require a college degree. If you've done construction, landscaping, building maintenance, or equipment work, you're already a strong candidate.

Where these jobs are posted

Most openings are with cities, counties, and state transportation departments, under titles like Maintenance Worker, Public Works Laborer, Equipment Operator, Street Maintenance Worker, Parks Maintenance Worker, and Transportation Maintenance Technician. The federal government hires similar trades roles too, usually as Wage Grade jobs with their own pay system, such as Maintenance Mechanic (WG-4749) at military bases, VA medical centers, and national parks. Those are posted on USAJOBS.

What screeners look for

For these jobs, licenses and equipment matter most. Many require a valid driver's license, and equipment operator jobs often require a commercial driver's license (CDL) or getting one within a set time after hire. After that, screeners look for safe work habits, the specific equipment you've run, and reliability, since crews count on everyone showing up, including for emergency call-outs.

Resume summary

Reliable maintenance worker experienced in keeping public roads, buildings, parks, and equipment safe and in working order. Follows safety rules, operates light and heavy equipment, and responds when crews are called out. Looking to bring steady, safe work and a service mindset to a public works role.

Skills to list

  • Road, sidewalk, and right-of-way maintenance
  • Building and grounds maintenance
  • Light and heavy equipment operation
  • Hand and power tools
  • Work zone traffic control
  • Safety rules and protective equipment
  • Basic plumbing, electrical, and carpentry repair
  • Equipment inspection and upkeep
  • Work orders and daily logs
  • Valid driver's license (CDL if you have one)

Experience bullet points

  • Patched potholes, cleared ditches and drains, and repaired sidewalks to keep public areas safe
  • Operated mowers, backhoes, dump trucks, and other equipment according to safety procedures
  • Set up work zone signs and cones to protect crews and drivers during roadside work
  • Maintained public buildings and parks, including minor plumbing, electrical, and carpentry repairs
  • Inspected vehicles and equipment before each shift and reported needed repairs
  • Completed assigned work orders and recorded hours, materials, and locations in daily logs
  • Responded to storm cleanup and emergency call-outs, including nights and weekends
  • Removed litter, debris, and fallen limbs from roads, parks, and public property
  • Loaded, hauled, and spread gravel, asphalt, and other materials
  • Worked safely as part of a crew with no lost-time injuries

Put licenses and equipment up front

Create a short "Licenses and certifications" section right under your summary. List your driver's license class, any CDL endorsements, OSHA 10 or 30, flagger or work zone certification, and pesticide applicator or other trade licenses. Then name the equipment you can run in your job entries, like this:

Grounds Maintenance Crew Member, Commercial Landscaping Company, Hoover, AL. 04/2020 to Present, 40 hours per week. Operated zero-turn mowers, skid steer, and dump truck; maintained 40+ commercial properties on a weekly schedule; inspected equipment daily; completed OSHA 10 training with no recordable injuries.

Tips for this role

  • Say yes to call-outs. If you're willing to work nights, weekends, and emergencies, say so. It's a real requirement for most public works crews.
  • Expect a background check and drug test. Jobs involving public vehicles and CDLs usually require both, plus a driving record check.
  • Watch for physical ability tests. Some jobs test lifting and carrying. The posting will tell you what's involved.
  • Fill out the whole application. Merit systems often score the application form itself, so list every equipment type and license there, not just on your resume.

Build your resume free

Open the 360 Quick Resume builder, choose Government Employees, then pick Public Works / Maintenance Worker. This summary, skills list, and these bullet points load in for you to edit. The builder also adds an hours-per-week field for each job, which federal resumes require. Download as PDF, Word, or plain text, free.

Before you apply, read our full guide on how to write a government resume, including the federal two-page rule and how state merit systems work.

More government resume examples