Public Works Director

Salary: $57.87 - $74.07 Hourly

Location : Milaca, MN

Job Type: Full-time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 00753

Department: Public Works

Opening Date: 08/20/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Description

The Public Works Director serves as the department head for the Public Works Department and the County Engineer pursuant to Minnesota Statute 163.07, providing leadership and direction related to operations and services within the county. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining the standards, controls, and policies necessary to administer and coordinate the various programs and services provided by the department.
Essential Functions

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

Uses independent judgment to provide supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control. Makes recommendations on matters of hiring and discipline. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for staff. Provides training and work direction, ensuring staff know and follow department and county rules, as well as sound work and safety practices, to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.

Responsible for communications that maintain relationships key to the function of the county. Plans and carries out communications at a level that can impact the morale and performance of staff.

Allocates human and fiscal resources, as authorized by the County Board, to ensure department goals are achieved in a cost-effective manner. Analyzes expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding to develop detailed budgets and present funding requests to the County Administrator. Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, ensuring that the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures.

Plans, develops, and implements short-term and long-term objectives, operating policies and procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. Interprets policies and ordinances and ensures uniform application to the public, including the impacts of new legislation. Works with the County Administrator on the development of departmental policies, short-term and long-term goals, and the annual work plan.

Serves as the ditch inspector pursuant to Minnesota Statute 103E.

Prepares and submits applications for funding programs consistent with delegated authority.

Administers state and federal funds for the county and political subdivisions within the county.

Collaborates with other county departments, state and local agencies, cities, townships, and the public to address service needs and recommend legislative changes. Meets with governmental units or agencies and the public to explain department programs and projects, resolve problems, and obtain necessary approvals.

Provides the County Administrator and County Board with comprehensive information regarding programmatic outcomes, alternatives, recommendations, and initiatives. Presents regular reports to the County Board and County Administrator on Department activities, program trends, and fiscal issues.

Confers with the County Attorney and law firms on retainer to conduct enforcement actions and solicit input as required on other departmental operations.

Serves as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Responsible Authority designee for the Department; responsible for the records and management of records, including all applicable data retention and data privacy regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and eight (8) years of directly related work experience, including a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minnesota Professional Engineering License.
• Class D Driver's License.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience.
First review of applications will be 8/27/2024 and ongoing thereafter.

Permanent part-time employees are eligible to earn pro-rated holiday, vacation and sick time benefits.

The following is intended to be a general overview of benefits provided for full-time positions. Insurance benefits become effective the first day of the month following the month of hire. Further details and a complete copy of the applicable contract/policy language are available at the time an employment offer is extended. If you have any questions about the benefits, please contact the Administrative Services Office at

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Benefits Provided
Employees fall under the General, Police & Fire, or Correctional defined benefit plan depending on their position. PERA rates and handbooks available on-line:

Contribution amounts are based on the employee's pay each pay period.

• Coordinated Plan:
  • Employer Contribution 7.5%
  • Employee Contribution 6.5%
• Police & Fire Plan:
  • Employer Contribution: 16.2%
  • Employee Contribution: 10.8%
• Correctional Plan:
  • Employer Contribution: 8.75%
  • Employee Contribution: 5.83%

Paid Time Off
Holidays: Full-time employees have approximately 14.5 paid holidays per year, including floating holidays, subject to the terms of the Personnel Policy or Collective Bargaining Agreement as applicable.
Vacation: Full-time employees earn 11 to 23 days per year, depending on tenure. Part-time employees earn pro- rated accruals.
Sick Time: Full-time employees accrue 12 sick days per year. Part-Time employees earn pro-rated accruals.

Medical Insurance
Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from, within three (3) different networks. The rates shown are effective 1/1/2024 through 12/31/2024.
Single Employee Cost HSA Contribution Family Employee Cost
RTS Medica Passport
2000-25% HSA $0 $187.50 $1,073.84
850-40 $0 N/A $1,365.40
400-35 $56.00 N/A $1,514.20
RTS Medica Elect
2000-25% HSA $0 $291.67 $783.36
850-40 $0 N/A $1,038.48
400-35 $0 N/A $1,168.68
RTS Medica VantagePlus
2000-25% HSA $0 $312.50 $725.26
850-40 $0 N/A $973.10
400-35 $0 N/A $1,099.58

Employees may choose to contribute additional funds to their HSA each year, up to the IRS limit of $4,150 for singles, and $8,300 for families. Once age 55, employees can contribute an additional $1,000 (to either single or family). The IRS limit applies to the total of employer and employee contributions combined.

Employees may choose to have their employer HSA contribution (if eligible) go into a VEBA account.

Dental Insurance
There is no cost to employee for single coverage. Family coverage costs the employee $74.22 per month.

Vision Insurance
Vision coverage is available and paid for by the employee at the following monthly rates:

• Employee Only - $5.85
• Employee + Spouse - $11.69
• Employee + Children - $11.31
• Family - $18.35

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's) Available
Plan options include medical and dependent care FSAs, as well as a premium only plan (pre-tax deduction of medical and dental premiums). These amounts cannot be changed during the year unless there is a qualifying life event. All funds must be used by claims deadline.

• FSA Medical/Health max election of $3,050 per year
• Limited Purpose FSA max election of $3,050 per year (used when you also have a H.S.A. Can only be used for vision, dental or orthodontia expenses).
• FSA Dependent Care max election of $5,000 per year per family ($2,500 if married and filing separately)

Deferred Compensation Program Available
Deferred Compensation Plans are available through Nationwide: https://preauth/index.html

Life Insurance
There is no cost to the employee for $15,000 in basic life insurance coverage. Rates for voluntary additional coverage for employee or spouse vary according to age category:

Age of Employee Or Spouse Employee Monthly Cost Per $1,000

Under age 35 .06
35-39 .10
40-44 .12
45-49 .17
50-54 .25
55-59 .45
60-64 .68
65-69 1.29
70-74 2.08

Dependent Life & Child Life Insurance Packages Available
Child life is available as a $10,000 policy on each child; the cost is $1.30 per month. Dependent care is available as a $2,500 policy on all tax dependents; the cost is $0.66 per month.

Long-term Disability Insurance Plan Available
Rates vary according to age and coverage amount.
Age Price per Month/Per $100 Monthly Benefit
Under age 25 .26
25-29 .33
30-34 .40
35-39 .48
40-44 .65
45-49 .94
50-54 1.25
55-59 1.51
60+ 1.53

Short-term Disability Insurance Plan Available
Rates vary according to age and coverage amount.

Age Price per Month/Per $100 Weekly Benefit
Under Age 25 11.20
25-29 8.90
30-34 9.60
35-39 8.90
40-44 8.00
45-49 8.80
50-54 9.40
55-59 12.00
60-64 13.80
65+ 15.50

Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Confinement Insurance Available

01

Do you have a valid Class D driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select your highest level of education COMPLETED by the close date of this posting.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Completed coursework, but no degree
• Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post-secondary education
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

03

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have a current Minnesota Professional Engineering License?

• Yes
• No

05

If no, are you eligible to take the written exam for the Minnesota Professional Engineering License?

• Yes
• No

06

Please select the option which best describes your full-time work experience in public works, contract management, inspection, engineering, construction, maintenance, or any other related field.

• No experience
• Less than four years
• More than four years, less than eight
• More than eight years, less than ten
• More than ten years

07

Please describe where you obtained this work experience, including name of employer, dates of employment, and duties/responsibilities.

08

How many years of experience do you have directly supervising others in a paid work setting (e.g. subordinates, clients, etc.)?

• None
• 1 - less than 2 years
• 2 - less than 4 years
• 4 - less than 6 years
• 6 years or more

09

Please describe your experience as indicated in the previous question, including experience directing, training, evaluating, hiring, and disciplining staff. Include the number of staff you supervised, the types of positions and job duties under your supervision, your level of responsibility within the organization, and whether the experience was with a public or private sector employer. If you have no experience, type "None."

Required Question