Swift County and Yellow Medicine County County Highway Engineer Position Profile To fulfill the need for comprehensive highway engineering services, the Minnesota Counties of Swift and Yellow Medicine, under a shared agreement, utilize the services of a County Highway Engineer to serve both counties. Swift County is located on the west central Minnesota prairie, bordered on the southwest by the upper Minnesota River, and the north by the glacial lakes area. Swift County consists of 757 square miles with a population of nearly 12,000. Cities include Benson (pop. 3,376), Appleton (pop. 2,870), Clontarf (pop. 173), Danvers (pop. 108), DeGraff (pop. 133), Holloway (pop. 112), Kerkoven (pop. 759), Murdock (pop. 303), and unincorporated Swift Falls. The City of Benson, the county seat of Swift County, is also the largest community. Benson is centrally located at the intersections of US Highway 12 and Minnesota Highways 29 and 9. The Chippewa River flows through the western edge of Benson and numerous nearby lakes serve to create a wildlife habitat and a setting of natural beauty. The city offers a variety of recreational opportunities including an 18-hole municipal golf course, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and numerous city parks featuring ball parks and recreational facilities. Area state parks include Sibley State Park, Lac Qui Parle, Big Stone Lake Park, Glacial Lake State Park, and Monson Lake State Park. Swift Falls County Park is located on the east branch of the Chippewa River and offers recreational opportunities within 32 acres of wooded parkland. The County has recently opened a 100-acre off-road vehicle recreational facility. School District #777 serves the communities of Benson, DeGraff, Danvers, Clontarf, and Swift Falls. The District serves approximately 1,500 students in K-12. Private schools are also available for students in grades K-12. Two hospitals, several medical centers, assisted care facilities, and nursing homes serve the County. Swift County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners elected to four-year terms. The County Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff, Recorder and Attorney are also elected to four-year terms. The County Administrator is appointed by the Board and is a shared position with Yellow Medicine County. Yellow Medicine County is located on the southwest Minnesota prairie, bordered on the northeast by the Minnesota, and the west by the State of South Dakota. Yellow Medicine County consists of 758 square miles with a population over 11,000. Cities include Granite Falls (pop. 3,070), Canby (pop. 1,903), Clarkfield (pop. 944), Wood Lake (pop. 436), Hanley Falls (pop. 323), Echo (pop. 278), Porter (pop. 190), St. Leo (pop. 106), and Hazel Run (pop. 64). The City of Granite Falls, the county seat of Yellow Medicine County, is also the largest community. Granite Falls is located on the eastern edge of the county at the intersections of US Highway 212 and Minnesota Highways 23 and 67. The Minnesota River flows through the center of Granite Falls and the river valley provides a setting of unique natural beauty. The city offers a variety of recreational opportunities including a 9-hole golf course, indoor swimming pool and recreation center, and numerous city parks featuring ball parks and recreational facilities. Area state parks include Upper Sioux State Park, Lac Qui Parle State Park and Camden State Park. Wood Lake County Park is located on the north shore of Wood Lake near the city of the same name and offers several acres of wooded parkland, a picnic area, and swimming beach. A number of county parks along the Minnesota River are located in adjoining Renville County. The Yellow Medicine River runs through the central and eastern portions of the county and joins the Minnesota River in the Upper Sioux State Park. The Yellow Medicine East School District serves the communities of Granite Falls, Clarkfield, Hanley Falls, Hazel Run and Echo. The Canby School District serves the communities of Canby, Porter and St. Leo. Two hospitals, several medical centers, assisted care facilities and nursing homes serve the County. Yellow Medicine County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners elected to four-year terms. The County Auditor/Treasurer, Sheriff, Recorder and Attorney are also elected to four year terms. The County Administrator is a shared position with Swift County. The Highway Departments The Swift County Highway Department currently employs 21. The Department is responsible for the maintenance of 461 miles of roadways 233 of which are blacktopped, and 109 bridges. The budget for the Department is $4 to $6 million. Currently under construction is an Administration Building and two satellite maintenance facilities for a total of three maintenance facilities. The Yellow Medicine County Highway Department employs 22. There are 510 miles of roadway, 237 of which have bituminous or concrete surfacing, and numerous bridges. The budget for the Yellow Medicine Highway Department is $4 to $6 million. Capital projects within the counties are based on road condition, County allocation, and State Aid allotment. The counties lie in two different Minnesota Department of Transportation Districts - #4 and #8. The main areas of responsibility within the Departments are engineering/design services and highway maintenance services. Organizational Chart  Specific duties of the County Highway Engineer for Swift and Yellow Medicine Counties include: Planning, designing, constructing, and inspecting all road and bridge projects Preparation of a five-year plan outlining proposed road and bridge projects Acquisition of necessary permanent and temporary easements Administration of County State Aid accounts Annual safety inspections Providing County road maintenance, including ice and snow removal on bituminous and gravel roads Annual application of appropriate materials for dust control on gravel roads Mowing and maintenance of County road ditches Repairing and maintaining County vehicles and related equipment The Position The County Highway Engineer will report to the County Boards through the County Administrator and a Management Committee, consisting of two Commissioners from each of the counties. The Management Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the County Boards and is responsible for operation issues, budget review and forwarding recommendations to the County Boards after review of County staff. The County Highway Engineer is responsible for directing County Highway Department functions. Specific responsibilities include: Attend meetings with townships, cities, and government offices concerning Department projects and operations. Supervise and evaluate Department staff including work assignments, discipline, performance evaluation, training and development. Make hiring recommendations to the Management Committee and the County Boards. Direct engineers, contractors, developers, and residents regarding acceptable standards and requirements. Coordinate with various state offices including the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Prepare and administer the Department budgets. Prepare and direct annual road maintenance and construction programs in consultation with Highway Department supervisors. Provide quarterly (minimum) reports to the respective Boards summarizing Department activities. Provide and maintain a schedule reflecting activities of the position, developed in cooperation with the County Administrator. Complete permit applications from the Department of Natural Resources, Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and various individual permits. Develop long range capitol improvement projects for roads and bridges. Review and approve new subdivision plans, ensuring compliance with design specifications and County requirements. Be involved in project design and construction inspection Background and Experience Qualified candidates for the County Highway Engineer position will possess a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering with a minimum of five years experience in engineering, roadway design, or a related field plus supervision experience; or any equivalent combination of experience which provides the requisite skills and abilities for the position. Must possess a Professional Civil Engineer Registration. Specific background and knowledge: Experience in developing Capital Improvement, Equipment Replacement, and Five-Year Replacement Programs using detailed schedules. Familiarity with maintenance practices and procedures. Experience in design work including grading and paving, surveying, and inspections. Understanding of hydrology design is desirable. Background in budgeting, finance and fund accounting. Understanding of funding streams, allocations, and formulas pertaining to State Aid and Federal funding. Background and understanding of State DOT procedures and the process to obtain funding through State and Federal discretionary programs is highly desirable. Knowledge of State regulations and legislative activities. Experience in making public presentations. Familiarity with rural design features on non-State Aid roads. Previous experience working in a Minnesota county is desirable. Background in the use of technology for project management, data management and web site maintenance. Experience with retaining consultant services and managing consultant agreements. Management Capabilities Build trusting staff relations through good communication and interpersonal skills. Keep an open mind and listen. Move slowly with changes. Explain the reasons for decisions and provide directions. Assist staff in setting goals and priorities. Promote an environment of accountability and employee empowerment. Be comfortable working with the County Boards, City Councils, townships, and staff in other communities throughout the counties.. Establish a regular schedule of meetings with immediate staff and the Department as a whole. Have an appreciation and understanding of living and working in a rural environment. Be a regular participant in activities related to functions within the Counties. Swift County Position Priorities Update and maintain the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Program. Budget for short and long term needs. Establish a reserve policy and the use of a fund balance per County policy. Develop a plan, with financing, for improvement of non-State Aid roads. Yellow Medicine County Position Priorities Update and maintain the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and Equipment Replacement Program. Budget for short and long term needs. Maintain an on-going five year plan for projects including maintenance facilities. Maintain a process for evaluating construction schedules and one and five year road plans, utilizing both engineering and maintenance staff. Announcement County Highway Engineer, Swift County (pop. 12,000) and Yellow Medicine County (pop. 11,000). Starting salary range in the $80s. Western Minnesota counties feature river territory and numerous state parks. County seats are Benson (pop. 3,376) and Granite Falls (pop. 3070). Position reports to the County Boards through a shared County Administrator and Management Committee and is responsible for two departments of 21 and 22 employees and combined budgets of $10 to $12 million. Require Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer, with a minimum of five years experience in engineering and roadway design. Experience in capital and equipment planning, project funding, and financial management. Position Profile available. Send resume by 6/24/05 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search, 50 S. 9th Ave., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com, web: www.brimgroup.com Timetable 6/24/05 Deadline for Application 7/26/05 Present Candidates/Select Finalists Week of 8/15/05 Interview/Selection September 2005 Start Date |
|||||
|
© Copyright 2003-2006 The Brimeyer Group, Inc |
Print
Close Window