He was employed to supervise many major building projects around England, churches in Bristol, Cardiff, Clifton, Eye, Horsley and Stroudswater.

Jewell soon transferred to the expanding Department of Public Works based in Perth and was appointed foreman in January 1853 at a salary of £150, equivalent to A$23,121.47 in 2022.

I like my situation much altho my duties call forth all my exertions to keep them well and faithfully performed.In the same letter Jewell wrote of his position and future aspirations; You probably may think that I rank rather low by only being able to write at the end of my name F.P.W.

and altho F.P.W I stand second in command, and first preferment, which I trust is not far distant, will then bring me to the top of the tree...He did not have long to wait, for in June 1853 the Superintendent of Public Works, James Austin resigned after a long-running battle with Governor Charles Fitzgerald over pay and conditions.

Jewell's duties initially included overseeing repairs of buildings, roads and bridges, and supervising the construction of the boys' schools in Perth and Fremantle.

In 1853 he wrote to Governor Fitzgerald:[2] I have the honour to submit for the consideration and approval off His Excellency the Governor that he will be pleased to grant an allowance for candles used in writing the Public accounts done after office hours, as it is impossible to get the same performed during the day without neglecting other duties...With the arrival of 300 convicts and ticket of leave persons, Perth had the labour necessary to commence building many substantial projects.

The first of these that Jewell worked on were the Claisebrook Abattoirs, of which only drawings now survive, and the Colonial School on St Georges Terrace that now houses the National Trust of Australia.

Jewell amended many of the details during construction, citing a common architectural ploy by continually commenting on the lack of information or drawings provided by Manning.

The Perth Town Hall built between 1867 and 1870, was to break from the normal Tudor Gothic designs by using a Flemish style of brick work with French influences.