Northwest Public Works Institute

For questions about the NWPWI contact:

Toby Rickman, P.E., PTOE, PWLF, toby.rickman@gmail.com  |  (360)951-0902

Today’s public works leader must be coach, counselor, motivator, mentor, business strategist, and skilled communicator, all rolled into one. Getting the depth and breadth of instruction needed to become successful in his complex role can be difficult. The Northwest Public Works Institute is a program of instruction for public works professionals who would like to attain a higher degree of proficiency as leaders and managers. The Washington and Oregon Chapters of the American Public Works Association and the Oregon Technology Transfer Center jointly operate and sponsor the Institute.

Stand Alone Classes

See Events Calendar to Register

Construction Management – 3-day class, capped at 20 attendees. Cost*: $525 APWA Members / $575 Non Members and includes breakfast and lunch each day.

Project Management – 3-day class, capped at 20 attendees. Cost*: $550 APWA Members / $600 Non Members and includes breakfast and lunch each day.

Emergency Management – 3-day classes, capped at 20 attendees. Cost*: $550 APWA Members / $600 Non Members and includes breakfast and lunch each day.

     *Per recent Washington State legislation, sales tax will be applied to trainings dependent on their location.

Class Date Topics Location
Construction Management Feb 17-19, 2026 This course will teach how to effectively manage publicly bid infrastructure projects. Full Agenda

Day 1 – Foundations of Public Works Construction Management
Day 2 – Managing Construction Issues, Changes, and Risk
Day 3 – Project Completion, Closeout, and Lessons Learned

 REGISTER

Pierce County Environmental Services Building
9850 64th St W
University Place, WA  98467
Project Management Pending
  • How to define a project and get it started on the right path
  • The techniques and practices that are key to successful project management
  • Common challenges and pitfalls that can hamper project success
  • The importance of the human side of project delivery
  • Tips on the art of building an effective team and helping it perform well
  • How to prepare for the unexpected and deal with change
Emergency Management Pending
  • How to establish a resilience culture in your organization
  • Identify the disaster response and recovery gaps in your public works department
  • Funding recovery – Defending your budgets through pre-event planning
  • Crisis Leadership – the missing link
  
Executive Leadership Forum Paused for 2026 You will learn how to effectively lead an organization in the following areas critical to having an ideal public works organization, Asset Management, Project Management, Talent Management, Financial Management, Communication Emergency Management, Continuous Improvement, Navigating Politics, Sustainability and Climate Change. You will also gain a connection with other current and future public works executives which will be an important network for your career.
Download NWPWI Exec Leadership Class Overview		 N/A

The Executive Leadership Forum
Download NWPWI Exec Leadership Class Overview

Due to unforeseen events, the Executive Leadership Forum has been cancelled for 2026. We are taking this opportunity to make upgrades to this training and will return in 2027. Thank you for your understanding! 

Testimonial Quote
Testimonial Quote

The Executive Leadership Forum is a week-long immersive retreat style program geared for current and aspiring executives to attain the skills and proficiency to move beyond our management classes. Executive Leadership Forum has been attended by: City of Bellevue, City of Kenmore, City of Lake Stevens, City of Olympia, City of Pasco, City of Shelton, City of Spokane Valley, City of Tacoma, City of Tumwater, Jefferson County, Pierce County, Snohomish County. Cost: $1300 APWA Member, $1500 Non Member includes breakfast and lunch each day. Attendees are responsible for covering overnight costs, but a discounted group rate is available at the hotel.

Three Part Series for National Certification

Due to unforeseen events, the 3 Part Series has been cancelled for 2026. We are taking this opportunity to make upgrades to each class and will return in 2027. Thank you for your understanding! Thank you for your understanding.

Download NWPWI Class Overviews  |  See Events Calendar to Register
Cost: $550 for members / $650 non members and includes breakfast and lunch on all 4 days.

The 3-part series (Public Works Essentials, Developing Leaders and Leadership Skills) can be taken in any order, with completion earning a Certificate of Competency issued by NWPWI and National APWA. Each course is 30 hours over a four-day period. Each class in the three part series is limited to only 40 people, costs $550 for members / $650 non members and includes breakfast and lunch on all 4 days.

Three Part Series Date Topics Location
Public Works Essentials Paused for 2026 Supervision vs. Management, Written and Team Communications, Analyzing Employees, Progressive Disciplined, Performance Management, Employee Safety, Delegation and Empowerment, Information Management, The Personnel Function, Sustainability, Systems Thinking, Public Works Operations
Developing Leader Paused for 2026 Team Dynamics, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Mission, Vision, Values, Meeting Management, Diversity, Communication, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Interviewing Skills, Safety Culture, Strategic and Tactical Planning, Ethics, Stress Management
Leadership Skills Paused for 2026 Personality Types, Leadership Roles, People Skills, Managing Time and Energy, Hiring and Training, Motivation, Evaluations, Coaching and Counseling, Culture, Teams, Working with Unions, Council Relations, Regulatory Agencies, Customer Service, Asset Management, Project Management, Consultant Management, Financial Management, Management Systems, Organization Theory, Public Involvement, Planning
Back to top