Special Assistant to the Director

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Pension

Paid family leave

Longevity bonus

Work-life program

AD&D insurance

Disability coverage

Job summary

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County seeks a Special Assistant to the Director in Waste Services. This role provides executive-level administrative support, advising the Director on personnel, budget, and operations while representing the department to employees, Metro agencies, and the public.

The ideal candidate excels in communication, problem-solving, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic government environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and five years of administrative experience.
• No substitutions for this position were allowed.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level administrative and managerial support to the Department Director.
• Consult with the Director on personnel, budget, fiscal, and operational matters.
• Serve as a liaison between the Director and staff, Metro agencies, elected officials, the press, and the community.
• Interpret and disseminate information on behalf of leadership.
• Prepare sensitive, complex, and analytical reports to support decision-making.
• Coordinate activities across divisions for more seamless operations.
• Investigate and resolve complaints with timely follow-up and effective solutions.
• Participate in management or union meetings, including research for grievances.
• Attend meetings and hearings on behalf of departmental leadership.
• Contribute to annual budget development and ongoing financial planning.

Skills

Administrative experience

Budget process understanding

Team leadership

Communication with leadership

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Description

As the Special Assistant to the Director, you will serve as a trusted advisor and administrative partner, helping drive meaningful departmental outcomes. The incumbent will work closely with the Director and leadership team on fiscal, personnel, operational, and strategic matters while representing the department to employees, Metro agencies, Council members, the media, and the public.

This is a highly visible role for a skilled communicator and problem-solver who enjoys variety in their work and wants the opportunity to make a measurable impact across city operations.

Waste Services is responsible for weekly curbside waste and every other week curbside recycling collection for over 151,000 customers in the urban services district as well as collection of over 200 public litter baskets in the downtown Nashville corridor. The division also operates four convenience centers where residents of Davidson County can bring waste, recycling, bulk items, food waste, household hazardous waste, and other items for recycling or disposal and eight recycling drop-off locations available to residents who do not qualify for curbside recycling collection.

Waste Services currently employs staff members working in collection, administration, customer service, education, landfill engineering, development review, and outreach.

Typical Duties

• Provide high-level administrative and managerial support to the Department Director.
• Consult with the Director or designee on personnel, budget, fiscal, and operational matters.
• Serve as a liaison between the Director and staff, Metro agencies, elected officials, the press, and the community.
• Interpret and disseminate information on behalf of leadership.
• Prepare sensitive, complex, and analytical reports to support decision-making.
• Conduct special studies and present recommendations for improvements.
• Coordinate activities across divisions for more seamless operations.
• Investigate and resolve complaints, ensuring timely follow-up and effective solutions.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental rules, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in management or union meetings, including research for grievances and requests.
• Attend meetings and hearings on behalf of departmental leadership.
• Contribute to annual budget development and ongoing financial planning.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of administrative experience.

For this specific position, there will be no substitution*

Licenses Required

Valid Driver License

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Experience with a Metropolitan Government structure, operations, and budget process
• Experience leading small teams or project groups
• Ability to work with upper management and leadership teams

We are an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. Metro Nashville is committed to selecting the most qualified candidate for each of our roles.

Metro Nashville Government respects the religious beliefs and practices of all employees and will make, on request, an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available that does not create an undue hardship on business operations.

Requests for ADA or other protected accommodations for the recruitment process should be directed to Human Resources at 615-862-6640.

Metro offers a generous core benefit package to eligible employees who are regularly and consistently working 20 or more hours per week. Insurance and benefit coverage is effective the first of the month after the employee has worked 30 days. Employees can change their benefits within 60 days of an eligible change in status or during Annual Enrollment. Metro also offers optional benefits from which the employee may choose. Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs.

Core Benefits

Medical: Choice of two plans; Metro pays 75% of premium

Dental: Choice of two plans; Metro pays for single coverage

Basic Life: $50,000 basic term life coverage; Metro pays 100% of premium

Pension: Formula-driven pension; 100% Metro funded; 10 year vesting for new employees

Paid Family Leave: Runs concurrently with time designated as FMLA leave (up to 30 days)

Longevity: Annual bonus beginning after 5 years of service; increases annually up to 20 years

Work Life/ Employee Assistance Program: Wide variety of counseling, referral and consultation services provided free

Other*: In-line-of-duty injury benefits, AD&D insurance, and Medical Disability eligibility after 10 years with Metro

Paid leave

• Vacation: 10 vacation days a year; increasing after 5 years of service (For Non Civil Service departments, contact the department's human resources office)
• Holidays: 12 holidays per year (For Non Civil Service departments, contact the department's human resources office)
• Sick leave: 12 days of sick leave per year
• Other leaves: Judicial leave, military leave, bereavement leave
• See the Human Resources webpage for more details and optional benefits at nashville.gov/hr