Highway Commissioner

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the oversight, visioning, leadership, planning, directing, managing and supervising all aspects of the County highway infrastructure and related assets, including County Road and bridge construction and maintenance; carries out duties as specified in Wisconsin Statutes; provides leadership over all department personnel involving work assignments, operations, financial management and related work as assigned by the County Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Directly supervises all Highway Department supervisors and employees including the Deputy Highway Commissioner, Fleet & Facility Supervisor, Fiscal Supervisor, Purchasing Coordinator, Administrative Coordinator, and Administrative Specialist.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Directs the work of and manages the staff of Highway Department. Interviews and selects new employees. Provides training and instructions and ongoing training needs. Provides coaching and/or counseling. Assigns tasks, reviews work and prepares performance evaluations.  Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
• Provide leadership and management to all assigned staff. Audits work as needed to ensure adherence to pertinent regulations.  Directs staff on complex work and interpreting the application of policy and procedure.
• Administers all services assigned to the responsibility of the department and supervises the operations of the department.
• Participates in the interview and selection process for departmental positions and is responsible for hiring Highway Department personnel in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Advises and serves as department representative and liaison to state and local government commissions and committees, professional and community groups, elected officials, and the general public
• Manages County Highway Improvement Program (CHIP), Municipal Street Improvement Program (MISP), and Town Road Improvement Program (TRIP). Seeks additional funding for capital improvement projects through the STP Rural and Urban programs and other federal and state funding solutions
• Inspects county and state roads for establishing maintenance and construction programs. Recommends and plans long range goals, objectives, organizational structure and overall direction for the department. Ensures the objectives of the department are developed and maintained in accordance with the objectives of the County Board and County Administrator.
• Determines department funding needs and directs the preparation of the annual operating budget. Identifies funding sources and applies for grants/aids when appropriate. Monitor budget (25-30 million), contracts, services, costs and other factors throughout the year to identify problem areas and recommend adjustments. Responsible for the financial management of the department and to ensure adherence to financial accounting principles.
• Manages the maintenance of federal, state, and US highway systems under contract for the Wisconsin DOT.
• Negotiates intergovernmental cooperation projects and programs with other units of government.
• Responds to and resolves public inquiries and complaints. Analyzes and take the appropriate action with respect to correspondence and generate correspondence to multiple interests. Prepares, presents and provides information to individuals, groups, media, businesses, officials, County personnel and the general public regarding department activities and transportation issues. Provide technical information and assistance to local governments and officials.
• Must maintain knowledge of current local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, as they pertain to department activities and must evaluate department activities to implement those changes as may be required to comply with those laws, rules and regulations. May need to testify at state or federal hearings.
• Attends, participates and make recommendations to various governmental committees (e.g., the Infrastructure Committee, other County Board committees and the County Board of Supervisors, and the towns’ association) on a variety of topics, including transportation and public works. Participation as a member of the County Highway Safety Committee.
• Establishes program objectives and methods to evaluate the effectiveness and cost efficiency of current programs.
• Determines necessary disciplinary action and works with the County Human Resources department on discipline and staff terminations.
• Establishes and modifies short and long-range goals for adoption by the Highway Infrastructure Committee.
•  Approves annual capital improvement projects and spending. Reviews and approves all equipment bid specifications, notices for quotes, and bids for projects.
• Works with local, state and federal legislators on policies, and law changes.
• Schedules projects; estimates costs; writes funding applications; negotiates state and federal funding.
• Manages department machinery, equipment ($6.4 million), fixed assets and tools; procures buildings, supplies and materials.
• Monitors, mediates and enforces highway right-of-way encroachment violations.
• Coordinates planning, budgeting, design, and specifications of CTH construction and maintenance bridges and supporting fixed assets.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• Ten years’ transportation or engineering experience.
• Five years’ supervisory experience.
• Valid WI driver license and a driving history that meets County standards.
• Previous highway construction experience preferred.
• Professional Engineering registration in the State of Wisconsin preferred.

COMPENSATION:

Starting salary: $96,907.20 - $108,534.40, depending on experience + Marathon County benefits: https://www.marathoncounty.gov/about-us/careers/employee-benefits

Special Accommodations:

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone (715) 261-1451 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants:

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information.  If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law