Deputy Public Works Director
City of Napa Public Works Video
Are you a strategic and collaborative leader with experience overseeing public works operations, engineering programs, and capital improvement initiatives? Do you have the vision to balance long-term infrastructure needs with exceptional customer service and operational excellence? Are you passionate about building strong teams and delivering results for your community?
Then APPLY TODAY and play a key leadership role in advancing the City's public works programs and services!
THE COMMUNITY
Nestled in Northern California’s wine-country region yet just an hour from the Bay Area’s tech-hubs, Napa offers a blend of small-city charm and global relevance. Its population hovers around 78,000–80,000, with a median household income over $100,000 and a median age near 41. The city is composed of 26 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character, from historic Victorian homes near downtown to more suburban-style enclaves on the outskirts. Napa is the heart of the region’s world-renowned wine region, which is home to over 475 wineries, as well as a culinary industry boasting several Michelin starred restaurants and farm-to-table venues.
What stands out about Napa is the quality of life. Residents benefit from nearly year-round mild Mediterranean climate, a walkable downtown, and easy access to nature and open space. The local economy is anchored not just in tourism and hospitality but in a skilled workforce, giving the community stability beyond just being a destination. That economic diversity means the city is more than just its vineyards - it’s home to healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and retail alongside wine production.
Community life in Napa is vibrant and inclusive. With a largely bi-cultural population (over 40 percent identify as Hispanic or Latino) there’s a strong cultural mix that shows up in schools, local markets, festivals and everyday life. Residents enjoy the riverfront, local trails, neighborhood parks, and an active civic fabric - from arts and music events to grassroots trail-building and river-restoration efforts. For someone considering relocating, Napa checks a lot of boxes: community scale living with regional access, high educational and income markers, a lifestyle oriented toward both work and play, and the chance to be part of a place that values both its history and its future. In short: it’s a community that’s growing and evolving - not standing still.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Napa is a charter city operating under a Council-Manager form of government with a five-member City Council. The City Council is elected by district for four-year overlapping terms without limits. The Mayor is elected at large for a four-year term, also without limits.
The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer and head of the administrative branch of the City government. Napa provides a full range of services for the community through 11 Departments: Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Resources and Development, Finance, Utilities, Human Resources, Parks & Recreation Services, City Clerk’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and City Manager’s Office. The City’s fiscal year 2026/27 fiscal year budget is approximately $396 million. The City of Napa is currently funded for 532 full-time positions. To learn more about the City’s budget, click here.
THE DEPARTMENT
The department is rooted in a clear vision to be a high performing team of professionals who deliver reliable infrastructure and services while striving to exceed community expectations. With a strong focus on sustainable infrastructure and enhancing Napa’s quality of life, Public Works upholds the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Service, Accountability, Inclusion, and Teamwork.
Public Works is a dynamic, service-oriented organization made up of seven divisions: Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, Development Engineering, Transportation Engineering, General Services, and Streets and Sidewalks. The department includes 85 full-time employees who collaborate to provide high quality service to the community.
The department is responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the City’s essential public infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, drainage and stormwater systems, bridges, streetlights, traffic signals, electrical systems, fleet, and City building facilities.
Public Works also plays a central role in the City’s development review and construction inspection processes, traffic safety and transportation planning, bike and trail improvements, and right-of-way management. The department manages the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program, overseeing project scoping, planning, design, project management, and construction management across a range of funding sources, including the General Fund, assessment districts, grants, utility undergrounding, Measure T, Measure U, and gas tax revenues.
In addition, Public Works provides citywide services for fleet management and for the maintenance, operations, and capital planning of City building facilities. The department remains dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure that supports community needs today and long into the future.
Together, the department strives to build on our achievements, continue to be a great place to work, and provide infrastructure and services that our community can take pride in.
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.
A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
A successful candidate will be a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and strategic leader who brings both technical depth and strong interpersonal skills. The ideal individual will be an exceptional communicator, highly skilled at building trust with staff, elected officials, community members, and partner agencies. They will demonstrate the ability to inspire and motivate teams, cultivate effective working relationships, and promote a community centered, results-driven work environment.
The department is guided by a clear vision to be a high performing team of professionals that delivers reliable infrastructure and services while striving to exceed community expectations. Rooted in its purpose of providing sustainable infrastructure and enhancing Napa’s quality of life, Public Works embraces the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Service, Accountability, Inclusion, and Teamwork. The City is seeking a Deputy Public Works Director who embodies these principles, strengthens the department’s culture, and supports a workplace grounded in professionalism, inclusivity, and public service.
QUALIFICATIONS
A combination of education and experience for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with major work in Civil Engineering and six (6) years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience to include three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility. Experience in a municipal or public setting and a master’s degree in civil engineering or business or public administration are desirable.
Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California with good standing is required. Registration in the State of California as a Land Surveyor is desirable, if civil engineering license does not include land surveying.
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