The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) seeks applications for Public Works Consultant. This field position is based out of our Nashville office but is afforded the flexibility of our alternate work arrangement (AWA) program. MTAS is an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service and provides professional and technical consulting services to Tennessee municipalities, state government, and municipal government-related associations.

---

The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) seeks applications for Public Works Consultant. This field position is based out of our Nashville office but is afforded the flexibility of our alternate work arrangement (AWA) program. MTAS is an agency of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service and provides professional and technical consulting services to Tennessee municipalities, state government, and municipal government-related associations.

---

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field
• Experience: Requires five (5) years in municipal public works or engineering department, a state engineering department, or a private engineering consulting firm. Requires three (3) years as a city engineer, public works director, or comparable position.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • This position requires knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to public works, water and wastewater operations, and ability to apply and communicate those laws and regulations effectively
  • Knowledge of public works, utilities and engineering management best practices
  • Skill in oral and written communications, especially listening skills
  • Skill in using Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; Skill in analyzing data, such as numbers and spreadsheets, and written information, such as laws and ordinances;
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize when responding to numerous and competing request for assistance from customers
  • Ability to work with little direct supervision
  • Ability to make effective presentations to stakeholders
  • Ability to receive and understand detailed information through written and oral communication
  • Ability to create informative reports and reviews on municipal public works, utility and engineering operations
  • Ability to process thoughts and solve problems
  • Ability to successfully manage a broad and varying range of issues on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis
  • This position must be able to travel and be available to deploy for immediate travel to perform job duties. Automobile liability insurance must be maintained if a private vehicle is used for business-related purposes. Salary is based on a combination of professional experience and qualifications.

Preferred Qualification

• Education: Master’s degree; A Tennessee Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.
• Experience: Prefer five (5) years or more as a municipal public works, utility, or engineering department manager in a municipality.
  

Work Location:

• Location: Nashville, TN

The Institute for Public Service (IPS) supports a formal Alternative Work Arrangement program currently in place and more information can be provided if candidate progresses through the recruitment process.

Benefits

• Find more information on UT Benefits here
  

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before December 21, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The UT Institute for Public Service provides outreach and assistance to all of Tennessee. Through our agencies and initiatives, we offer technical assistance, training, and consulting on a wide variety of services, including government operations, language services, law enforcement excellence, leadership training, manufacturing excellence, opioid abatement and much more.

---

• The public works/utilities and engineering consultant is responsible for providing professional advice and technical assistance on a wide range of public works, utilities, and engineering issues to Tennessee city officials, professional associations, and organizations.
• Provides professional advice and technical assistance by direct field services, projects and studies for individual municipalities, training program development and instruction, development of performance models, interpretation, and application of public works and utility-related laws, research associated with public works/utility management issues, and the publication and timely maintenance of articles, bulletins, and technical reports on critical public works issues.
• Public works consultants further serve as in-house experts to MTAS staff.
• Performs other work as assigned by the Program Manager and the Executive Director.
• MTAS fosters collaboration, so the public works consultants often assist with and participate in other team projects.