Public Works

Overview

This series of courses is designed to train municipal and county public works personnel in the responsibility of supervising public works operations. The curriculum emphasizes pragmatic technical management and political skills necessary for professional success. The program focuses on New Jersey's governmental practices that contribute to improved work performance of department administrators.

The nine included courses — in the areas of management, technical, and government — and other criteria are required for the state designation of Certified Public Works Manager. 

The three-course management unit addresses the human relations and personnel development needs of public works management. The intent of this segment is to acquire a better understanding of management, strengthen managerial and personnel skills, and to promote a professional public works image to the public.

The three-course technical unit examines the daily operation of a public works department. Public works departmental functions are reviewed to establish a standard of practice for use as a database that reflects departmental productivity. The technical presentations are compared to the municipal planning and development process.

Public works departments operate within the context of local government. In the three-course government unit, the processes of state and local government are examined from a historical perspective. Practices are then reviewed in relation to state regulations.

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Program Requirements

All participants in the Certified Public Works Manager Program must be high school graduates or hold a high school equivalency certificate. It is highly recommended that individuals entering the program have a minimum of three years of experience in supervision.

Prerequisite Information

All students entering the program must first successfully complete the three Section A (Management) courses before taking the three Section B (Technical) courses the next semester. Section B courses must be completed before taking any courses in Section C (Government). The Review Course is optional but all nine program courses must be successfully completed prior to taking the review course.

State Exam Requirements

All nine courses are required before taking the New Jersey State CPWM exam. This state licensing exam is administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in April and October of each year. The DCA application form is available at  https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/certification.html. Completed applications must be received at DCA thirty days before the exam date.

All applicants must:

1. Be a high school graduate or hold a high school equivalency certificate
2. Complete all nine public works manager courses offered by CGS
3. Have five years of supervisory experience as a public or private sector public works manager within the last 10 years
4. Be a minimum of 21 years of age
5. Be a person of good moral character

For complete certification requirements for Certified Public Works Manager, see N.J.S.A. 40A:9-154.6a et. seq.

All new students starting the Public Works Manager Program this semester can register for the three courses in Unit A.  Unit A must be completed prior to registering for Units B and/or C.  All nine courses must be completed prior to taking the Review course.

Unit A

Management Tasks, Responsibilities and Practices

Managing & Developing Human Resources

Public Relations

Unit B

Operations Resource Management

Management Accountability

Municipal Planning & Urban Development

Unit C

Local Government in New Jersey

Municipal Budget Process

Public Works Purchasing