Assistant Town Administrator - Public Works & Wastewater/Town Engineer

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Town Administrator, the Assistant Town Administrator for Public Works & Wastewater is responsible for providing executive-level supervision and highly skilled engineering services to the Town on a wide variety of projects including, but not limited to, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and operation of a variety of public facilities and utilities.

General Statement of Duties:

This is a professional position requiring an individual who is capable of exercising independent judgment and who possesses educational and relevant experience as it relates to Civil Engineering principles and managerial duties. This position provides executive-level supervision duties and engineering services for the Wastewater and Public Works Departments, as well as providing ongoing technical assistance to the Community Development Department. This position interacts with the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and all other Town Boards and Commissions to provide complex and high-level engineering guidance and recommendations relating to Town issues.

Minimum Qualifications and Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required.

Requirements: Licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Tennessee

Experience: 8+ years of verifiable, acceptable experience in civil and/or wastewater engineering, preferably in a municipal environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 5+ years of experience in managing and supervising others.

Reports Directly to: Town Administrator          

Review Responsibility: Town Administrator     

Essential Duties and Tasks:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As Assistant Town Administrator for Public Works and Wastewater, this position functions as the Town’s Chief of Public Works and Town Engineer. The following duties are required:

Assistant Town Administrator Duties

• Advises, assists, and supports the Town Administrator and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in determining policies, regulations, standards, and other requirements related to all engineering and public works matters concerning the operation and function of the Town municipal government.
• Confers with the Town Attorney and Town Administrator concerning the legality of various matters, including but not limited to contracts and agreements, litigation against the Town, and preparation of proposed legislation.
• In coordination with the Public Works and Wastewater Department Heads, assists in preparation of the Operation and Maintenance budget for the Town and the capital budget for all public works projects, maintenance, and other initiatives.

Town Engineer Duties

• Performs engineering management functions as applicable for all Town Utilities (Wastewater Treatment and Collection) and other Public Works functions, as well as for Stormwater Drainage.
• Coordinates with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and any other state or federal agencies related to engineering functions on the Town’s behalf.
• Performs other engineering and Public Works functions assigned.
• Manages or performs the survey, design, drafting, preparation of specifications and bid packages, prepares right-of-way or easement documents, negotiates with property owners and manages construction for funded capital improvement projects. 
• Manages the process and information flow of Title VI information relative to projects for the Town and interacts with contractors/subcontractors to ensure proper contractor compliance and documentation.
• Prepares the scope of work for the consultant engineers that may be hired by the Town.
• Reviews and approves preliminary and final design plans and specifications.
• Manages key construction activities for funded capital improvement projects.
• Prepares and recommends ordinances and revisions to the Town Code, the Land Development Ordinance, or other Town regulations/specifications regarding engineering standards, wastewater standards, and other public works concerns.

Management Duties

• Manages Public Works Department and the Wastewater Department.
• Assists in preparation of various multi-year capital budgets for new roads, road rehabilitation, street paving, sidewalks and trails, and drainage improvements.
• Observes delivery of services in the field, supervises the inspects infrastructure projects on site, and attends meetings regarding the progress and status of project completion.
• Reviews and approves periodic estimates of expenditure; reviews and approves payment of invoices prepared by contractors.
• Provide support to the Thompson’s Station Planning Commission (TSPC) and works with the Community Development Department in making recommendations to the TSPC.
• Provide support to the Thompson’s Station Utility Board (TSUB) meetings and work with the Town Administrator on making recommendations to the TSUB.
• Meets with citizens, citizens’ committees and neighborhood groups concerning services and project implementation; responds to questions, complaints, suggestions and other concerns.
• Maintains continuous liaison with various state and federal agencies regarding regulations, project approvals, and funding of projects.
• Supervises the investigation of citizens’ concerns and complaints; prepares reports of the concern; confers with the Public Works department, Wastewater department, and Town Administrator regarding the severity of the concerns; and outlines actions to alleviate the concern.
• Coordinates with other Town departments, Town Boards/Commissions, and other local governments concerning the status of projects.
• Reviews and approves plans and specifications prepared by consultants to the Town.
• Prepares Requests for Qualifications/Proposals/Information to engineering consultants. This includes reviewing qualifications/proposals/information received, assisting in the selection process of professional engineering services, negotiating agreements, recommends, through the Town Administrator, the recommended consulting firm to the Board of Mayor and Alderman for approval for major project designs and services. This also includes reviewing and approving work performed by the consultants.
• Reviews and approves, through the assistance of Department Heads and Staff, plans and specifications developed by engineers and architects for private developments.
• Other related duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil/wastewater engineering particularly as applied to municipal government.
• Knowledge of municipal design, construction, maintenance methods, materials and equipment.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulatory codes related to the development and construction of public improvement projects.
• Experience in engineering and project management within the regulations of TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) and TDEC (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation) or comparable entities.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and supervise complex engineering programs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, to groups and individuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with subordinates, contractors, engineers, the general public, and elected officials.
• Be available to work hours as needed or as necessary, including attending meetings scheduled after normal working hours.
• Ability to supervise, coordinate, delegate and negotiate.
• Ability to make sound financial and budgetary decisions.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex and sensitive problems.
• Advanced working knowledge of personal computers/software and capable of utilizing engineering computer software programs.
• Ability to be bonded.
• Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws.
• Ability to use available equipment.
• Ability to act without direct supervision when need arises.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other public officials. 
• Maintain working knowledge of Town personnel policy.
• Ability to work in partnership with all segments of the community and the citizenry to fulfill the mission of the Town.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, hearing, kneeling, reaching, feeling, grasping, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, crawling and performing repetitive motions.
• Daily operations require unaided lifting of objects weighing as much as twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Work a variety of hours, including evenings, days, weekends, and holidays; consistently maintain mental alertness, remain calm and composed in difficult and emergency circumstances.
• Work is conducted in a normal office setting, in a vehicle, and at construction sites, which may be dirty or involve exposure to other disagreeable elements.    Noise level is moderate to loud, depending upon employee’s location.  Inspection sites can involve rough terrain, be dirty and cluttered with tools, construction materials, and debris.  In addition to activities above, work may require crawling around in tight spaces, exposure to moving mechanical parts and typical hazards encountered when operating a vehicle.  May occasionally be exposed to airborne particles and fumes.  Frequently will be exposed to building and construction activity and exposed to various weather conditions that occur within the locality.
• Date Approved: 6-11-25
• Revised: 5/1/2026
• Reports to: Town Administrator
• FLSA: Exempt

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; and nothing in this herein restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.