Assistant Public Works Director​/Deputy County Engineer

Assistant Public Works Director/Deputy County Engineer

Benton County is seeking a dynamic and experienced engineering professional to join our leadership team and to serve as Assistant Public Works Director/Deputy County Engineer
. This leadership position provides strategic, administrative, and technical oversight for the County’s Public Works Department, including engineering, design, construction, maintenance, right‑of‑way, permitting, and related operational functions.

Working closely with the County Engineer/Public Works Director, this position helps direct department‑wide operations, develop and implement long‑range infrastructure and capital improvement strategies, and ensure effective delivery of transportation and public works services. The role provides leadership in planning, budgeting, program management, and policy implementation while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and County standards.

Licensure Requirement:
This position requires current registration and licensure as a Professional Civil or Highway Engineer in the State of Minnesota, or the ability to obtain licensure within six (6) months to one (1) year of hire. Licensed and non‑licensed Minnesota Professional Engineers are encouraged to apply.

Position Summary:

Provide leadership and managerial oversight for the operations and staff of the Benton County Public Works Department, including the engineering, design, construction, and maintenance divisions. Perform responsible administrative and professional engineering work in planning, directing, and managing departmental activities and programs. Coordinate with other County departments and carry out administrative activities in accordance with County policy and legal requirements.

• A. Manage the planning, design, and construction of the County’s highway projects.
• Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct engineering staff in the preliminary and detailed design of federal, state, and local county highway improvement projects.
• Coordinate the preparation of reports, letters, or other documents concerning the design or pending construction of highway improvement projects.
• Coordinate projects with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Army Corps of Engineers, State Historical Society, cities, townships, and other affected governmental units.
• Evaluate the progress of staff and the results obtained and recommend changes to achieve overall design and project goals.
• Manage right‑of‑way acquisition in accordance with federal and state statutes and coordinate property purchases as needed. Reviews design plans and potential right‑of‑way conflicts with the Right‑of‑Way Agent.
• Establish design priorities based on public input, County Board input, and current design and construction practices.
• Perform engineering computations and review design data, specifications, engineering estimates, and final plans for submittal to the County Engineer and appropriate state review agencies.
• Prepare, review, submit, and obtain permits.
• B. Prepare funding agreements for improvement projects that involve other government units; research and prepare federal and state applications for funding.
• C. Coordinate the preparation of material for presentations concerning future or pending construction projects and conduct public meetings.
• D. Manage the County’s bridge inspection program.
• Manage field inspection procedures and field bridge inspection reports.
• Review bridges in the field with bridge inspection personnel to determine specific ratings or maintenance problems.
• Investigate bridge maintenance issues, determine appropriate repair options, and perform or verify new posting calculations.
• Prepare correspondence and reports for local and state officials regarding the condition of specific structures.
• E. Supervise engineering staff, including assigning work, providing direction and scheduling, delivering training and mentoring, making hiring and termination recommendations, conducting performance evaluations, implementing performance improvement plans, and administering disciplinary actions.
• F. Manage the County’s construction projects.
• Rev…