[Hiring] Assistant County Engineer @Mille Lacs County

Role Description

The Assistant County Engineer assists in providing leadership and direction related to operations and services within the County. Plans, directs, and coordinates all County road, bridge, ditch, park, and trail engineering; construction; and maintenance projects.

This is a non-union position. Complete 2026 pay scale is $80,142.40- $104,852.80/annually.

Essential Functions:

• 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.
• 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.
• In collaboration with the Public Works Director, plans, directs, and sets short- and long-term goals and objectives for the County Public Works Department.
• Establishes policies to maintain and improve the County highway, ditch, park, and trail systems.
• Manages the County’s bridge inspection program.
• Manages field inspection procedures and field bridge inspection reports.
• Reviews bridges in the field with bridge inspection personnel to determine specific rating or maintenance problems.
• Investigates bridge maintenance problems and determines repair options.
• Prepares letters and reports to local and state officials concerning the condition of specific structures.
• Oversees and directs engineering staff in the planning, design, and documentation of federal, state, and county highway improvement projects.
• Coordinates project development and required reports with MnDOT, DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, local governments, and other agencies.
• Reviews design data, plans, estimates, and right-of-way issues.
• Monitors staff progress and recommends improvements to ensure project goals and compliance with current standards.
• Makes recommendations; prepares reports for, and coordinates department plans with, the Public Works Director.
• Attends County Board meetings to present plans and accomplishments, and to discuss the development and implementation of programs and policies.
• Prepares material for presentations concerning future or pending construction and conducts public meetings.
• Supervises and assists with the work of engineering staff, including associated work involved with the survey, design, construction, inspection, and project management.
• Ensures staff know and follow department and county rules, as well as sound work and safety practices.
• Responsible for engineering design recommendations related to maintenance of the county ditch system and the county’s park and trail systems.
• Seeks grant funding and other outside funding sources for projects and department purposes.
• Works with administration staff to account for grant fund uses.
• Administers state and federal funds for the county and political subdivisions within the county.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education in Civil Engineering Technology and four years’ experience, which includes two years in highway design, one year in bridge safety inspection, and two years in project management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess or have the ability to promptly obtain the following certifications upon request: MNDOT Certified Construction Technician, Bituminous Plant Level II, Bituminous Street Level II, Concrete Field Level II, Grading and Base Level II.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check.
• Class D Driver’s License.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field and two or more years directly related professional experience preferred, in addition to advanced training desirable in bridge rating, hydrology, geometric design, geology, GIS, traffic data analysis, right-of-way acquisition, computers, public relations, and management.

Selection Process

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Top candidates will be selected to participate in oral interviews.

Complete 2026 annual salary range is $80,142.40- $104,852.80.