Highway Division Program Manager

Job Summary

Responsible for administrative management of a Highway Department function: infrastructure and maintenance operations, transportation, traffic, design, or construction. Responsible in assigned functional area for supervision, personnel management, budget preparation, administration, and acts as a main technical consultant. Provides guidance in dealing with complex programming, operational, and capital issues in functional area. Leads internal and external teams to meet strategic goals.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Manages staff and leads direction of the division through a positive and inclusive work environment. Serves on committees as assigned to advance the division and county to provide Safe, Healthy, and Livable Communities.  

• Provides input in development and implementation of transportation policies and guidelines, including the County Transportation Plan.

• Supervises the operations and activities of a functional area of the Highway Department including the coordinating and planning of work, resources, staff, equipment, and timelines to accomplish established goals and objectives.  

• Provides oversight of program operations, activities, and staff to ensure effective and timely delivery of services.  

• Supervises and develops program staff; coaches and mentors (hiring, directing, assigning, setting work priorities, developing, conducting performance evaluations, disciplining).  

• Prepares, manages, and monitors functional area budget; develops current and long range capital costs for equipment, construction programs, studies, and staffing.  

• Develops and manages annual work plans for the functional area; facilitates discussion regarding the sharing of work with other agencies and entities to minimize impact to the transportation, environmental, and parks and trail systems.  

• Monitors specific state and federal programs; actively pursues grants and other funds to implement strategic plans.  

• Directs and leads public information processes and meetings.  

• Initiates partnering programs to help minimize county long-term operating costs and improve service delivery.  

• Builds and maintain strong relationships with state, city, township, and permitting agencies.      

• Leads and updates Current State Definitions and process mapping for responsible processes.  

• Prepares Requests for Board Action and Resolutions in a timely manner. 

• Develops and manages contracts, agreements, consultants, suppliers, and vendors. 

• Provides critical judgment in the resolution of major engineering or program level problems and in developing standards and guides for diverse activities. Ensures work projects and processes are provided required technical direction and oversight.  

• Provides input to the development of Transportation Services and Highway Department policies, procedures, practices, and guidelines; conducts research and analysis required for department activities and programs.  

• Represents Scott County on special committees and before governmental bodies on issues relating to Scott County.  

• Represents the county on complex issues relating to functional area and resolves these issues with property owners and elected officials.  

• Interacts with the public on concerns regarding the Scott County Highway Department.  

• Actively participates in Senior Leadership meetings and activities and shares information with staff. 

• Works with the Division Director and County Engineer to build and maintain the Transportation Services teamwork environment for effective working relationships with other public officials, staff, and the general public.  

• Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

• Works the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with other employees, supervisors, customers, vendors, and any other person or organization with whom interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.  

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.  

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES 

Program Manager - Infrastructure and Maintenance Operations   

• Develops procedures and directs the activities, operations, and personnel engaged in highway maintenance (to include snow and ice control, pavement condition, drainage, and roadside maintenance); construction, and renovation; and work coordination for parks, trails, and natural resources maintenance and infrastructure management.  

• Directs others to inspect, monitor, and evaluate capital improvement needs of roads, buildings, and equipment.  

• Shares in the direct supervision and oversight of highway maintenance work crews to ensure safe roadways, grounds, and buildings; is available and on-call, especially during the snow season, to monitor weather conditions on roadways, call out crews, or to conduct visual inspections of roadways, buildings, or county property as the need arises.  

• Coordinates emergency response by work crews due to weather, accident, flood, storm damage, hazardous spills, etc.; determines material and equipment needs and calls out crews for snow removal, ice control, washouts, building or property damage, dust/drainage control, or related.  

• Recommends equipment and materials purchases, determining the best fit for operational need and budget parameters.  

• Oversees contract preparation for Infrastructure and Maintenance Operations activities following guidelines for professional service contract selection and execution.  

• Cooperatively works with and supports the needs of other Highway Program Managers.  

• Coordinates and collaborates with other agencies to lead county efforts in resource sharing and regional planning related to Infrastructure and Maintenance operations activities of roadways, trails, facilities, parks, and equipment.

• Oversees and provides guidance to the asset management system. Ensures staff are trained in its usage.   

Program Manager – Transportation Planning  

*Registration as a PE in MN or AICP Certification is required for this position.  

• Leads development of the County Transportation Plan.  

• Manages planning activities in the area of transportation including both transit and highway.  

• Manages the right-of-way activities for transit and highway projects. 

• Directs traffic/transportation studies and makes recommendations.  

• Directs corridor studies and makes recommendations for corridor preservation and preliminary design.  

• Directs preliminary design activities in coordination with the Design and Traffic Engineers.  

• Directs and coordinates development of the County Transportation System through partnership development and review of land use transportation proposals.  

• Directs implementation of the county Right-of-Way ordinance.  

• Provides leadership and technical assistance to administration, elected officials, and the general public on matters related to complex or controversial transportation issues.  

• Serves as the technical resource in the preparation of county transportation policies and guidelines.  

• Identifies opportunities for, and assists in, pursuing additional state and federal transportation funding through the preparation of grant applications and serves on statewide transportation committees.  

• Attends the Met Council as the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) member and attends Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) meetings with Commissioners as needed.  

• Assists in managing the department's Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and Spot Safety/Contingency Fund, to ensure timely completion of objectives while maintaining consistency with annual budget constraints.  

• Manages the flow of correspondence to and from the MN/DOT Office of State Aid to ensure timely completion of all necessary documents including all types of needs reporting.  

• Collaborates with the design engineer, traffic engineer, and right-of-way agent in establishing scope of services and the preparation of requests for proposals for consultant activities.  

Program Manager – Traffic Engineering

 *Registration as a PE in MN is required for this position.  

• Supervises staff and operational activity related to traffic signal and signage, traffic studies, concept and original design work, safety improvement etc.; assists in other program areas (e.g. bridge inspection, design, right-of-way) as the needs of service dictate.  

• Oversees, supervises, and directs preparation and inspection of intersection improvements, traffic control plans and projects; collaborates with a variety of local, state, and federal agencies regarding transportation and land-use planning issues.  

• Serves as point of contact and technical advisor for all traffic and highway safety related issues in the county; directs traffic/transportation studies, technical, and administrative reports and makes recommendations regarding that information.  

• Supports program delivery as needed, including serving as project manager; typically for traffic related functions and activities.  

• Represents the county at various meetings and events; prepares and presents information in formal and informal settings to effectively educate and inform stakeholders about plans, required or impending actions, and recommendations regarding traffic and transportation issues, which are sometimes controversial.  

• Responds to calls regarding traffic related issues such as traffic signal operations, access control, signing and striping, and related design issues.  

• Oversees and/or conducts traffic/transportation investigations and documents data and findings according to recognized standards.  

• Provides technical assistance to plat review and land use activities that affect the county transportation system; reviews access, utility, and moving permits.  

• Supervises access, utility, and moving permit activity of the Highway Department.  

• Creates and amends policies and guidelines to preserve mobility, safety, and effectiveness of/on county roadways.  

• Develops and directs implementation of the signing, striping, and signal maintenance programs.  

• Develops and manages asset database (Cartegraph) for traffic department components.  

• Directs supervision and inspection of traffic signal and intersection improvement projects.

• Oversee and provide guidance to the Advanced Traffic Management System and similar traffic related system operations.

Program Manager – Design Engineering  

*Registration as a PE in MN is required for this position.  

• Manages the design functions, including internal staff and consultants.

• Collaborates with the County Engineer in administering the Transportation Improvement Program to Federal Aid, State Aid, and/or local standards. 

• Prepares and manages complete Project Delivery project schedules. 

• Runs monthly project development meetings.  

• Manages the preparation of reports required for the design process such as: Project Development reports, EAW's, EA's and EIS's, design study reports, and others. 

• Manages and/or performs and reviews complex professional engineering calculations and designs for county infrastructure improvements, which may include but is not limited to: horizontal and vertical alignments, geometrics, pavement design, typical sections, cross-sections, traffic control layouts, and signing and striping design. 

• Determines project hydrology and designs hydraulic conveyance and water quality systems. 

• Determines, communicates, monitors, and ensures data collection needs for complete analysis during design.   

• Reviews and prepares construction plan documents, project cost estimates (engineer's estimate), and special provisions. 

• Reviews, prepares, and acquires all regulatory permits and approvals required (DNR, Watersheds, Corps of Engineers, MPCA, and others). Meets and confers with permitting officials in the field or office as needed. 

• Coordinates right-of-way needs, both permanent and temporary, for projects or long-range planning efforts. 

• Participates in the public project involvement process; attends public and landowner meetings to understand public concerns and to explain project design. Represents the Highway Department in relations with the County Board, other government and permitting agencies, utility companies, businesses, citizen groups, or individuals to answer questions and/or resolve complaints while carrying out contracts/objectives of the Highway Department. 

• Reviews roads and bridges as required for the annual State Aid Needs Study.  

• Responds to calls regarding highway design such as access issues, right-of-way, construction schedules and concerns, and design issues.  

• Provides technical assistance for traffic and corridor studies. 

• Provides technical assistance with construction related issues pertaining to design decisions. 

• Assists preparation of the county's Capital Improvement Program.  

Program Manager - Construction  

• Manages the highway construction functions for delivery of the transportation program.  

• Oversees direction of contractors in the performance of their work; makes appropriate changes in construction operations when field conditions or design changes have changed the original objective of the construction plan.  

• Provides technical advice to the Highway Maintenance Department and other local governmental agencies on construction and engineering practices. 

• Cooperatively works with Maintenance Program Manager and provides expertise on the overlay program and best practices for pavement life-cycle.  

• Reviews construction plans and proposals before contract letting dates.  

• Provides construction point of view advice to design team.  

• Ensures conformance to all regulatory permits and approvals from the Natural Resources (NR), Watershed Management Organization (WMO), Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Watershed District (WD), and other local agencies with project jurisdiction.  

• Participates and represents Scott County at various meetings.  

• Develops and administers a strategic work plan that best serves the goals of the division and construction program.  

• Ensures the need and appropriate negotiations for supplemental agreements, change orders, and work orders.  

• Prepares technical and administrative reports and maintains files on construction projects.  

• Provides technical advice and assistance to contractors’ questions on county construction plans.  

• Participates in planning of annual department budget; purchases survey and material testing equipment for construction/engineering use.  

• Conducts inspections and assists in administering safety programs and practices in the field and on construction projects in direct support of Risk Management goals and objectives.  

• Supports Right-of-Way with surveys and staking limits and documentation for right-of-way proceedings.

• Ensures timely completion of As-Built plans upon completion of construction projects. 

• Responds to calls regarding highway design and construction issues such as access issues, right of way, construction schedules and concerns, and design issues.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
For positions requiring PE or AICP - Requires a bachelor's degree and six years of related experience, including two years of supervision and management of professional staff or consultant teams. License as a Professional Engineer or AICP certification is required. A valid driver's license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

For all other positions - Requires a bachelor's degree and seven years of related experience, including two years of supervision and management of professional staff or consultant teams. Technical certifications directly related to the role are preferred. A valid driver's license and a reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION(S)

Technical certifications directly related to the role are preferred.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The employee is under general guidance and direction from the County Engineer, Division Director, or supervisor for assignments and directions as to specific project responsibilities. TheiIncumbent has the discretion and wide latitude in decision-making to determine priorities, initiate work plans, and take appropriate action with regard to the work and staff in their program areas. Meetings to report on progress and completion of projects occur as needed with the County Engineer and/or Division Director.

The incumbent directs and oversees the work of others; including, program/service planning and delivery, personnel selection, evaluation of work performance, training, and disciplinary activities. Performs supervisory duties as defined in MN Statute 179A.03 Subd. 17.

The incumbent promotes employee professional development and provides coaching and mentoring to others.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES
Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.

Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.

Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.

Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.

Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.

Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.

Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.

Knowledge – Knowledge of transportation planning and engineering principles and techniques involved in the construction and maintenance of highways and bridges. Demonstrated skill in applying this knowledge.

Knowledge of federal laws and state statutes and policies pertaining to county highway systems.

Knowledge of governmental functions and organizations impacting county government.

Knowledge of computers and the use of computers for analysis. Knowledge of computer aided design and drafting systems.

Knowledge of County policies, procedures, and labor contracts.

Abilities – Ability to lead committees and achieve desired results through team concepts.

Ability to work in arenas of conflict and bring diverse opinions to a resolution or consensus.

Ability to develop cooperative working relationships with staff from local, state, and regional agencies.

Ability to fulfill the core competencies for managers in Scott County. The core competencies are leadership, communication, innovation and creativity, and personal relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Convey clearly and present concisely complex and controversial issues to decision-makers and the general public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, other governmental agencies, and the general public.

Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.

Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.

Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires field work, typically in a construction oriented setting; and inside work, typically in an office setting. One may be exposed to construction site hazards such as falling debris, moving equipment, chemical/dust exposure, treacherous surfaces, etc. when traversing inspection sites. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing multiple and varied needs/demands of services.

Physical activities include light work: Sitting, talking, hearing, seeing, driving, standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, pushing, pulling, feeling, reaching, lifting, grasping, twisting above the waist, bending at waist, repetitive hand and arm motion, and fine finger manipulation in the use of a computer. Incumbent may climb ladders, enter crawl spaces, exert force to maneuver items, and lift and/or navigate up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.