Deputy Public Works Director

City of Napa•Napa, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Napa is seeking an experienced Public Works leader to serve as its next Deputy Public Works Director. Reporting to the Public Works Director, this role offers an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional with strong technical expertise, strategic insight, political acumen, and a deep commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and effective communicator who can build strong relationships, develop and lead high-performing teams, navigate complex issues, and successfully advance projects and initiatives while balancing needs of a diverse group of partners. The Deputy Director will oversee the programs, projects, and operations of the department’s four engineering divisions: Engineering Design and Capital Projects, Transportation Engineering, Development Engineering, and Construction Management, while leading a team of 26 management, professional, technical, and support staff. The Deputy Public Works Director is responsible for the full scope of the City’s engineering functions, including capital project delivery, infrastructure design, development review, construction, inspection, and contract administration. This position provides strategic leadership by setting goals and policies, managing budgets and resources, developing staff, ensuring efficient and high-quality engineering services, and serving as Acting Public Works Director when needed. The role also includes presenting to elected officials and regulatory agencies, resolving complex public and developer issues, and ensuring compliance with City standards. Key initiatives include advancing traffic safety and Vision Zero initiatives, partnering with local agencies on flood control infrastructure improvements, coordinating with Caltrans on new roundabouts on a state highway, implementing the City’s Pavement Management Plan, collaborating with the Parks and Recreation Department on a 26-acre recreation complex, supporting major development projects, and overseeing City facility renovation projects. Success in this role will require the ability to coordinate across agencies and departments, engage constructively with residents and businesses, and guide complex projects from planning through construction. This position plays a critical role in modeling and advancing the City’s core values through daily work and interactions with staff, community members, and partner agencies while serving the community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with major work in Civil Engineering
Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience
Three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility
Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California with good standing

Nice To Haves

Experience in a municipal or public setting
Master’s degree in civil engineering or business or public administration
Registration in the State of California as a Land Surveyor (if civil engineering license does not include land surveying)

Responsibilities

Oversee the programs, projects, and operations of the department’s four engineering divisions: Engineering Design and Capital Projects, Transportation Engineering, Development Engineering, and Construction Management.
Lead a team of 26 management, professional, technical, and support staff.
Responsible for the full scope of the City’s engineering functions, including capital project delivery, infrastructure design, development review, construction, inspection, and contract administration.
Provide strategic leadership by setting goals and policies, managing budgets and resources, developing staff, ensuring efficient and high-quality engineering services.
Serve as Acting Public Works Director when needed.
Present to elected officials and regulatory agencies.
Resolve complex public and developer issues.
Ensure compliance with City standards.
Advance traffic safety and Vision Zero initiatives.
Partner with local agencies on flood control infrastructure improvements.
Coordinate with Caltrans on new roundabouts on a state highway.
Implement the City’s Pavement Management Plan.
Collaborate with the Parks and Recreation Department on a 26-acre recreation complex.
Support major development projects.
Oversee City facility renovation projects.
Coordinate across agencies and departments.
Engage constructively with residents and businesses.
Guide complex projects from planning through construction.
Model and advance the City’s core values through daily work and interactions with staff, community members, and partner agencies.
Serve the community.

Benefits

Vacation - New employees can accrue up to 120 hours annually.
Paid Holidays - 15 paid days per year.
Extra Paid Time Off - 104 hours (13 days) of Management Leave per year.
Sick Leave - Employees can accrue up to 96 hours annually.
Dental and Medical Insurance Plans - The City provides significant contributions to dental and medical plans.
Health In-Lieu Option - Employees may waive City coverage and opt for health in-lieu at $500 monthly; annual proof of alternative coverage is required.
Retirement - The City participates in the CalPERS retirement pension system.
Retiree Health Insurance - City contributes $274 per month for retired employees with at least 10 years of service at retirement.
Deferred Compensation Program - Employees are eligible to enroll in a 457 Plan and the City contributes $142 per month to 401(A) plan.
Life Insurance and AD&D - $100,000 of coverage paid for by the City.
Phone Stipend - Up to $100 per year for equipment and up to $110 per month for usage.
Tuition & Professional Development Reimbursement - Up to $2,500 per fiscal year.
Prior Years of Service Vacation Accrual Credit - Full-time service in a City, County, State, Federal Agency, or Special District may be counted towards vacation accrual tiers at the City of Napa.
The City offers the flexibility of a 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off.)