Highway Director

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance paid for employee, PERSI Retirement, Paid Sick, Vacation, and Holidays.

The Director reports to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and is responsible for setting policy and long-range operations strategy at the direction of the BOCC. The Director is responsible for the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Department that builds, maintains and repairs a dynamic transportation network to include approximately 340 miles of roads and county bridges.

The ideal candidate will have transportation experience. A broad understanding of the complexities of managing a public works department is desired. The ideal candidate should be knowledgeable of local, state and federal law and possess financial knowledge to include fiscal planning, budget management and capital improvement projects. The ideal candidate will have the ability to build trust, collaborate, establish and maintain effective working relationships with Federal, State and local agency representatives, vendors, the general public and County employees to ensure a common vision is enacted and supported.

The ideal candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, be an effective listener, responsive to input, and provide timely feedback. This individual should demonstrate the capacity and interest to be an effective mentor for staff. Advanced written and verbal communication skills are imperative for this position.

The classification of this position is “exempt” as it pertains to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The primary function of an employee in this class is to supervise and manage the operations of the Gem County transportation system. This class of employee directly supervises Road and Bridge employees and oversees the work of independent contractors. The work is performed under the supervision of the Gem County Board of County Commissioners.

The principal duties are performed in both a public office environment and the field with travel as needed.

• Provide organizational leadership and supervision for all department staff, including hiring, employment terms, training, evaluation, and disciplinary actions, subject to BOCC approval.
• Design and maintain an effective staff organizational structure; support positive departmental morale by establishing clear expectations, advancement opportunities, and job skill development.
• Work collaboratively with the BOCC and staff to develop, implement, and manage Road and Bridge policies, procedures, and both short- and long-range strategic plans.
• Prepare and submit an annual departmental budget for BOCC approval; administer the approved budget, ensure expenditures remain within signing authority, and pursue additional revenue sources when possible.
• Secure financial resources by locating, evaluating, and applying for grants and other funding sources to advance county road and bridge initiatives.
• Oversee administration, financial operations, program performance, and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements across all department functions.
• Negotiate, manage, and ensure compliance with contracts, agreements, grants, and vendor relationships; oversee documentation, reporting, and adherence to funding stipulations.
• Develop and implement new programs, including innovative construction techniques, operational improvements, and community needs assessments.
• Manage the equipment necessary for county road and bridge purposes, including purchases, leases, maintenance, and disposal of obsolete equipment subject to the approval of BOCC.
• Supervise the tracking, documentation, and evaluation of all departmental projects to ensure compliance with standards, timelines, operational guidelines, and intended outcomes.
• Direct the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of county roadways and related infrastructure, ensuring public safety.
• Ensure the installation and maintenance of appropriate signs, markers, signals, and traffic-control devices on county roads.
• Oversee the development of surveys, maps, plans, specifications, and cost estimates for roadway construction and maintenance projects.
• Regulate, restrict, or remove unauthorized signs, billboards, or structures within county roadway rights-of-way.
• Maintain professional working relationships with county departments, government agencies, contractors, and the public.
• Communicate effectively with staff, the public, and county officials; manages public inquiries; and fosters positive relationships through professional, respectful, and transparent communication.
• Collaborate with Development Services to review land-use applications and verify compliance with county road standards.
• Perform additional duties as authorized by the BOCC.

• Standard methods, policies, and practices related to administrative operations and office management.
• Principles and procedures for project development, prioritization, and management.
• Budget…