Highway Engineer

Clay County Missouri has a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience to develop our new Highway Engineer position. This is a highly responsible manager level position that works independently with general oversight planning, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive program designed to deliver efficiency while maximizing taxpayer dollars in the care of Clay County’s infrastructure. The Highway Engineer will regularly work Monday thru Thursday from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm with the Operations staff overseeing the assignment and completion of short term, long term, and daily tasks by maintenance personnel. The primary duties of this position are to ensure compliance of safety practices through frequent inspection of equipment and working conditions, including all applicable code requirements, establish safety programs and personnel safety training; and provide technical guidance and direction individually as needed. Occasional Friday/evening/weekend work may be required, and he/she will be on call for emergencies.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field of study or a combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to meet all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities, five years progressively responsible related experience and/or training, ability to interpret and analyze plans and specifications, and working knowledge of construction methods, materials, applicable codes, and statutory laws.

The starting salary range is $70,686.00 - $74,406.00 annually plus benefits. The employee benefits package includes two defined benefit retirement plans fully funded by the County and a deferred-compensation plan with a match on the first 4% contributed. We also offer three medical plans including two high deductible plans, dental, vision, two flexible spending accounts, and supplemental plans. Full-time employees are also offered life insurance (2X annual salary) paid by the County, paid vacation/sick leave, 14 paid holidays, LTD and tuition reimbursement.

Revised:

The Highway Engineer works directly for the Highway Administrator. The primary purpose of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate a comprehensive program designed to deliver efficiency while maximizing taxpayer dollars in the care of Clay County’s infrastructure. The Highway Engineer will oversee the daily operations of the tasks assigned to maintenance personnel to provide citizens with safe, attractive, comfortable, and enjoyable experiences while using county roads.

Primary Responsibilities:

• This position is a highly responsible manager level position that works independently with general oversight and direction from the Highway Administrator. The position will create, implement, and continually evaluate long- and short-term infrastructure objectives that are responsive to the needs of Clay County citizens.
• Oversees the assignment and completion of short term, long term, and daily tasks for the department.
• Provides general supervision over the tasks assigned to professional and technical staff engaged in maintenance and care of Clay County’s infrastructure assets and operations services, including planning, directing, and coordinating the activities for the organization.
• Plans, organizes, performs, and supervises general administrative functions for the areas of supervision of tasks assigned according to county policies; identifies and procures necessary services and supplies; ensures quality control; and provides staff training.
• Monitors expenditure reports and works closely with Highway administration regarding budget process and progress.
• Assists with the pursuit of grants and outside funding to maximize County funding.

Essential Duties:

• Maintains the integrity of the county’s infrastructure assets, ensuring they are safe and attractive.
• Responsible for planning, designing, and supervising cost-effective projects to maintain, repair and improve infrastructure assets including roads, bridges, drainage structures, and other structures in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, policies, and procedures.
• Evaluates and defines needed improvements and develops plans and specifications for presentation to Highway Administrator.
• Prepares and issues procurement requests in accordance with applicable policies and procedures; evaluates proposals and bids and makes recommendations regarding the award of contracts; interacts with vendors of goods and services related to infrastructure assets and ensures that contractors are performing in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contracts.
• Establishes staff priorities to achieve program objectives; delegates authority and assigns work to the staff commensurate with their qualifications and existing workload; reviews the work of staff for quality assurance and to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains appropriate staffing levels with qualified, experienced individuals for preventive, corrective and emergency work on infrastructure assets; prioritizes daily and weekly work assignments for crew leaders and crews; responds to or delegates emergency calls after hours and responds to emergency weather conditions by assembling appropriate staff and equipment; ensures prompt action for emergency repairs of infrastructure assets.
• Makes recommendations on the annual budget; monitors program budget for assigned areas of responsibility.
• Prepares reports and correspondence; prepares and maintains accurate records and documentation on all staff activities; develops and maintains systems and records that provide for proper evaluation; controls and documents assigned operations; evaluates and defines needed improvements and develops plans and specifications for presentation to Highway Administrator.
• Field verify construction and maintenance project work in process and upon completion for conformance to specifications. Also ensure necessary inspection, testing, and documentation is completed during the project and submitted at project completion.
• Review utility permit applications and work performed within County right of way.
• Participates in the development review process.
• Receive inquiries or complaints and complete various related public relations duties as assigned.
• Ensures compliance of safety practices through frequent inspection of equipment and working conditions and to also include all applicable code requirements; establishes safety programs and personnel safety training; assists staff by providing technical guidance and direction.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and reasonably qualified to perform.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of practices, principles, and procedures of assigned area of assignment, including civil engineering principles, methods, and techniques.
• Build competency with various technical operating manuals, standards, and specifications related to road, bridge, and drainage structure construction and maintenance. Develop a strong knowledge of materials, road surface types, traffic control devices, field testing, and standard and innovative maintenance practices.
• Thorough knowledge of modern principles and practices of management and supervision
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local construction codes and standards, procedures, and safety regulations
• Knowledge of legal requirements, regulations, and laws applicable to area of assignment
• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental fiscal management, including budget preparation, expenditure control, purchasing and record keeping
• Knowledge of the operation of various construction and maintenance tools, equipment, and processes
• Skilled in the interpretation and application of County and department rules, regulations, and policies
• Skilled in reading and interpreting plans, drawings, and specifications
• Skilled in effectively communicating with all levels of staff and the public
• Skilled in performing maintenance, construction, and other assigned functions
• Skilled in the operation of personal computers and various software applications
• Ability to plan, organize and oversee assigned work programs, including monitoring work schedules and evaluating the work of subordinates
• Ability to develop County goals and objectives and to conduct and implement planning activities
• Ability to analyze and evaluate operations and develop and implement corrective action to resolve problems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups regarding complex or sensitive issues or regulations

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related engineering field of study from an accredited college or university OR any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to meet all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above may be considered in lieu of education.
• Five years progressively responsible related experience and/or training in operations management, administration or project management is preferred.
• Ability to interpret plans and specifications for construction projects and the ability to analyze issues.
• Working knowledge of construction methods and materials, knowledge of applicable codes and statutory law

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements:

• Valid Missouri driver’s license.
• Professional Engineer registration in the State of Missouri
• Must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Misdemeanor and/or felony convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency. Prior to appointment, candidates will be subject to a background investigation.

Minimum ADA and Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively on the telephone and in person.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written/typed documents and text materials.
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and personal computer.
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to sit and work at a keyboard for an extended period of time and work in an office environment; occasionally required to perform strenuous tasks requiring muscular strength and coordination, maintain body balance while ascending or descending ladders or open stairs, and to maintain body equilibrium while bending at the waist or at the knees; frequently required to stand or sit for an extended period of time without a significant rest period; able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be legally licensed with a Missouri driver’s license and insured with the ability to drive in normal and emergency response situations.

Work Environment:

• Some work is performed in an office setting. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderately quiet; at times the noise level may be loud, with frequent interruptions and multiple demands.
• Some work is performed outside around heavy construction equipment, in varying types of terrain, near excavations or construction sites, exposed to insects, snakes, poison ivy and inclement weather.
• In times of emergency and/or public safety incidents, may be exposed for prolonged periods of time to outdoor weather conditions that may vary from extreme heat to extreme cold; may be exposed to debris, fumes, odors, airborne particles, and dust; may be exposed to the possibility of bodily injury; may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and other hazardous conditions.

Required Travel:

• The employee will be required to travel throughout the County; may be required to travel within and out of the state.