| Department | Description |
| City Clerk | The City Clerk is responsible for duties defined by the Code of Iowa and designated by the City Council. These include supervision of City Council staff support services, preparation of City Council agendas; recording and maintaining all Council records, proceedings and ordinances; collection of non-moving traffic violations fees; and issue of various Licenses and Permits. |
| City Manager | The City Manager's Office implements Council policy and enforce City ordinances, advises Council
on policy matters, prepares written materials and management reports, presents the annual operating and capital budget, answers inquiries and service requests, coordinates the day-to-day administration of the City government, provides for the administrative functions of special councils and commissions, promotes public and professional relations with other local, state, regional, and federal entities, and communicates with and provides administrative functions for the Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission. |
| Community Development | Community Development’s Administration division oversees the general operation of all the Divisions in the Department. Primary duties include budgeting, personnel assistance and general support of the Divisions in carrying out the Department's mission and responsibilities. |
| Des Moines International Airport | The Des Moines International Airport is operated by the Des Moines Airport Authority. The Des Moines Airport Authority Board is composed of five members, appointed by the Mayor of Des Moines and approved by the City Council. The Airport Authority Board and staff are dedicated to making air travel to and from Des Moines more convenient and pleasurable. |
| Engineering | The Engineering department is responsible for design, construction, and project management for the City's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) in excess of $100 million annually. |
| Finance | The mission of the Finance Department is to provide accurate and timely financial information, reports, advice, and service to departments to assist them in fulfilling their own missions; and to safeguard and monitor the City's financial resources by providing analysis to the City Manager, City Council, and the public. |
| Fire Department | The Des Moines Fire Department is a customer focused state of the art provider of fire protection, emergency medical and related services. |
| Housing Services | The Housing Services Department administers and monitors the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Public Housing for the City of Des Moines, and Section 8 for Polk County. |
| Human Resources | The function of Human Resources is to support City operating departments by recruiting, hiring, and retaining a quality
work force and providing administrative support to the Civil Service Commission. |
| Human Rights | Human Rights collaborates with Federal, State, and local organizations to increase awareness and enforce the laws regarding discrimination, investigate complaints of discrimination and provide human rights education/training to business and community groups |
| Information Technology | Information Technology (IT) is defined as the technology involved with the transmission and storage of information, especially the development, installation, implementation and management of computer systems. |
| Legal Department | The City of Des Moines Legal Department represents the City of Des Moines including the City Council and the various
municipal Boards and Commissions. In addition, the Legal Department also represents City employees in work-related litigation. |
| Library | The Des Moines Public Library has six convenient locations and offers books, audio books, CDs, magazines, newspapers, on-line resources, videos, digital downloads, DVDs, and more. Library cards are free and we offer an outstanding array of programs and cultural events, from story times for the kids and after-school activities for teens, to book discussions, computer workshops, and author visits. Free Internet access and Wi-Fi are also available. |
| Park and Recreation | The Park and Recreation department is responsible for the management of 72 parks, 3,225 acres of parkland, 40 miles of trails, and numerous municipal facilities. The Park and Recreation department is responsible for managing over 16 different programs in the area of sports, urban conservation, environment education, sport instruction, sports tourism, neighborhood beautification, water recreation, volunteerism and stewardship. In addition, Parks staff plans Special Events throughout the year, such as, the Father-Daughter Dance, Free Flicks, Hoopin' at the Dome, Des Moines Winter Games, Mayor's Annual Ride for Trails, Carp Festival, and many other events.
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| Police Department | The Des Moines Police Department will work in partnership with our community to protect lives and property, and to enforce laws impartially. |
| Public Works | The Department of Public Works provides day-to-day maintenance of the City's infrastructure services in the area of enterprise sewer maintenance and facility operation, levee reconstruction for Birdland and Central Place, sanitation, street maintenance, city storm and sanitary sewer operations, and emergency response for snow and ice, flood mitigation, and wind storm mitigation. |