Special Assistant to the Director

Special Assistant to the Director

Salary

$92,311.00 Annually

Location

Nashville, TN

Job Type

Full-Time Civil Service

Job Number

27104E

Division

Waste Services

Department

NWS Administration

Opening Date

10/15/2026

Closing Date

10/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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: (Full-time employees)

• Vacation: 10 vacation days a year; increasing after 5 years of service (For Non Civil Service departments, contact the departments human resources office)
• Holidays: 12 holidays per year (For Non Civil Service departments, contact the departments 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

01

Do you have a valid Driver License?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• No diploma
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

How many years of administrative experience do you have?

• No Experience
• One Year
• Two years
• Three Years
• Four Years
• Five or More Years

04

Briefly describe your administrative experience. If none, please type N/A.

05

Briefly describe your experience with a Metropolitan Government structure, operations, and budget process. If none, please type N/A.

06

Briefly describe your experience leading small teams or project groups. If none, please type N/A.

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County

Address Human Resources Division

700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Suite 201

Nashville, Tennessee, 37210

Phone (615) 862-6640

Website https://www.nashville.gov/departments/human-resources/employment-opportunities