Highway Commissioner

Oneida County is hiring for a Highway Commissioner position with the Highway Department.
SUMMARY OF JOB DUTIES: The Highway Commissioner serves as the administrative and
operational leader of the Highway Department, responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing
all highway construction and maintenance activities. This position exercises independent judgment
in short- and long-range planning, project development, and regulatory compliance affecting county
roads and bridges. The Commissioner oversees project design, specifications, cost estimates, and
coordination with consultants, contractors, town boards, and state and federal agencies.
Responsibilities include developing and managing the department budget; authorizing expenditures
and capital improvements; preparing equipment specifications; and overseeing maintenance of
highway facilities. The Commissioner develops annual maintenance plans, maintains required
records and reports, responds to public inquiries, and attends committee and County Board
meetings. The role also includes supervising, mentoring, and evaluating department employees to
ensure efficient, cost-effective operations and compliance with County policies and applicable laws.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified candidates must have two years post-high school
education in Business Management, Engineering or equivalent fields, and a minimum of five years
work experience in progressively responsible administrative and supervisory duties within a road
construction/maintenance environment or business. Candidates with other combinations of
education and experience that provide equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in highway and bridge construction,
maintenance practices and long-range infrastructure planning, along with experience in budgeting,
financial oversight, strong leadership skills, proficiency with computer hardware and programs,
excellent communication skills and good time-management abilities.
WORK HOURS: This exempt, salaried leadership position will work a minimum of 40 hours per
week, mostly during weekdays, but additional hours may be necessary to fulfill essential duties and
respond to operational demands, including emergencies and seasonal workload variations.
WAGES AND BENEFITS: Starting 2026 salary of $95,018 to $108,592, contingent on qualifications.
Position includes an excellent benefit package including affordable health insurance, enrollment in
the Wisconsin Retirement System and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) with the ability to carryover
unused PTO hours into future years.
HOW TO APPLY: Complete job description and required Oneida County application is available at
www.oneidacountywi.gov. Completed applications along with resume and transcripts should be
emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Oneida County Labor Relations Employee
Services, Courthouse, P.O. Box 400, Rhinelander, WI 54501. Note: Applicants selected for an
interview must be available on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Deadline to apply is Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
 Plans, assigns and supervises the work of highway construction and maintenance crews.
 Oversees the design, drawings, specifications and cost for construction and maintenance
of highways, roads and bridges.
 Works with town boards, officers and representatives of the State and Federal
government regarding the construction and maintenance of highways, roads and bridges.
 Develops, presents and monitors department budget including authorizing all department
expenditure, line item transfers and reimbursements.
 Plans/coordinates construction projects with consultants and contractors; ensures projects
meet state mandates and that estimates are followed and payment conditions achieved.
 Prepares specifications and recommends necessary equipment purchases and capital
improvements. Authorizes purchases made for budgeted items.
 Attends various committee meetings, County Board meetings, staff meetings and public
hearings.
 Responds promptly to public inquiries and complaints.
 Attends seminars, workshops and conferences to assure that the County is operating with
the most efficient technology available.
 Counsels and mentors employees; complete employee performance evaluations, annually
(prior to their anniversary date) or more often as needed.
 Maintains records and makes reports incidental to Department.
 Screens, interviews and selects new employees.
 Prepares specifications for the purchase of highway equipment.
 Each spring, prepare summer maintenance schedule, specifying highway locations and
activity to be completed at each location identified. Each fall, provide report on the
status of completion on the summer maintenance list.
 Oversees all Highway facilities for maintenance, repairs, construction and possible
expansion to meet needs.
 This position is an Exempt/Salaried position with the expectation the Highway
Commissioner will perform a minimum of 40 hours per week and may require more than
40 hours per week to complete essential duties. The Highway Commissioner shall
perform essential duties and responsibilities at a high level of efficiency and cost savings.
 Any other duty as assigned by Committee or County Board.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Carries out supervisory responsibilities in
accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work;
appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and
resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of
the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 Committee of Jurisdiction prefers the Commissioner to be highly knowledgeable and
experienced in highway and bridge construction, maintenance procedures, and long-range
construction planning.
 Knowledge and experience of budgetary planning, expenditure and receivables in
government.
 Must be able to formulate, communicate and enforce policies and procedures and to
establish satisfactory working relationship. Knowledge and experience of labor
management practices. Experience in counseling and mentoring employees strongly
preferred.
 Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and have the
ability to learn and effectively utilize additional software systems relevant to highway
operations, asset management, budgeting and reporting. A working knowledge of
computer hardware and internet –based systems is required. Experience with CHEMS
(County Highway Expenditure Management System) or similar software is preferred but
not required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
 Associate Degree in Business Management, Engineering or related field;
 Minimum of five(5) years’ experience in progressively responsible administrative and
supervisory duties within a road construction/maintenance environment or business;
 OR any combination of education and experience that provides the equivalent
knowledge, skills and abilities.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to
prepare clear reports, correspondence and presentations, and communicate with employees,
elected officials, contractors and the public in a professional manner.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to performan and apply mathematical calculations related to budgeting, cost analysis,
quantities and operational planning.
REASONING ABILITY Ability to evaluate situations, interpret policies and regulations,
and exercise sound independent judgment in decision-making consistent with established
laws, rules and procedures.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid Wisconsin Driver's license required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to successfully
perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
This position is primarily administrative but requires regular field presence. Duties may include
standing, walking, bending, climbing, reaching, and occasionally lifting or moving materials
weighing up to 50 pounds. The position may involve both office and shop/field activities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered
while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work is performed in both office and field settings. Fieldwork may involve exposure to varying
weather conditions, including extreme cold, heat, snow, rain, wind, and other conditions typical
of Northern Wisconsin.