County Engineer/Public Works Director

Position Summary

Benton County is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking, licensed, and experienced engineer to lead our Public Works Department as the next County Engineer/Public Works Director. A proven leader with strategic vision, strong management skills, and the passion and expertise to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure that truly impacts our community.

If you're a results-driven engineer who excels at strategic planning, innovation, and guiding public infrastructure forward, this is the position for you!

• Provide strategic direction, fiscal oversight, and personnel leadership for all Public Works operations.
• Lead maintenance and construction of the county's highway system.
• Review, approve, and oversee engineered road construction plans.
• Develop the County’s 5-Year Road Construction Program and secure funding for major projects.
• Manage and present the annual Public Works budget.
• Administer key programs, including:
  

  • Public Drainage System (County Ditches)
  • Bridge Inspection Program
  • Road maintenance, snow/ice removal & pavement management
• Review load restrictions, permits, and subdivision plats.
• Oversee County Surveyor functions.
• Advise small cities and townships on road, bridge, and transportation issues.
• Represent the County in court proceedings, committees, and public meetings.
• Respond to residents, contractors, and elected officials on engineering and operational matters.

• 
  Direct supervision of engineering, environmental, accounting, and maintenance leaders.
• Indirect leadership of technicians, operating engineers, mechanics, sign staff, seasonal workers, and interns.
• Oversight of contracted surveying services.

Interview Process:
Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person (TBD). Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.

Location:
Benton County Public Works/Highway Department

Application Deadline:
Recruitment will Remain Open Until Filled - First Review of Applications: Monday, January 5, 2026.

View Full Job Description and Apply: Benton County Career Opportunities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
A. Oversees the maintenance and construction of the County highway system.
A.1. Oversees the development of engineered road construction project plans.
A.2. Reviews and approves all construction plans for compliance with applicable standards and engineering theory.
A.3. Develops the 5-year Road Construction Program, including determining construction year and identifying funding.
B. Develops, presents, and manages the annual Public Works budget.
B.1. Plans for future transportation projects within Benton County and identifies funding for said projects.
B.2. Seeks transportation funding from sources other than local tax dollars, including federal grant programs.
C. Reviews and updates Department policies and operating procedures.
D. Administers the Public Drainage System (County Ditches), including compliance review with state statute and overseeing the design of repair/construction projects.
E. Administers the Bridge Inspection program, including reviewing all inspection reports for compliance with national inspection standards.
F. Develops and implements road maintenance programs, including snow/ice removal and pavement management.
F.1. Reviews the spring load restrictions map to determine appropriate weight limits on county roads.
F.2. Reviews oversized/overweight permits for compliance with county road/bridge weight limits.
F.3. Reviews subdivision plats when adjacent to county roads.
G. Directs the County Surveyor's functions.
H. Advises small cities and townships on transportation, road, and bridge matters.
I. Represents the County and Department at various court proceedings.
J. Responds to the public, elected officials, or others regarding a variety of engineering and operational policies and procedures.

Additional Functions
A. Attends trainings as needed.
B. Advises the small cities (Foley, Rice) on transportation-related matters.
C. Advises Townships on road and bridge maintenance issues.
D. Represents Benton County and the Department as a technical representative on a wide variety of local, state, and federal organizations and committees.
E. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications - Training and Experience Required

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
A. Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field; and
B. Seven years of progressively higher responsibility of civil engineering work, of which 2 years must be in a supervisor or a leadership role; OR
C. Equivalent combination of education and experience.
D. Must possess a professional engineer’s license upon hire and maintain it every 2 years.
E. Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
F. Must successfully complete a background check.
G. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Physical Demands and Working Conditions Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A. Substantial knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices, and methods in highway and bridge design; construction methods and materials; traffic control systems and devices; highway maintenance, and drainage systems.
B. Substantial knowledge of National bridge safety standards.
C. Substantial working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations relating to highway, bridge, and ditch systems designs, construction, and maintenance, land acquisition, and traffic control.
D. Substantial working knowledge of federal and county state aid funding programs and methods of obtaining project approvals.
E. Proven leadership skills for the management and supervision of Public Works Department activities.
F. Considerable knowledge of Highway administration, personnel administration, management techniques, and organizational development.
G. Ability to develop and implement Department goals and objectives; plan, coordinate, direct, and evaluate the work of others; develop and implement Department policies and procedures; and supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale.
H. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
I. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
J. Ability to set policies and goals for the department.
K. Ability to apply widely varied complex and significant variables, requiring analytical ability and inductive thinking in adapting policies, procedures, and methods to fit unusual and complex situations.
L. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with frequent interaction to negotiate critical agreements or motivate behavior that requires a well-developed sense of strategy and time.
M. Ability to travel within your daily work assignment.
N. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
O. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
P. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
Q. Performs the physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
R. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours, and outside regular hours, as necessary.
S. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from different organizations, and citizen customers.
T. Must comply with data practices policies and standards related to private data. Access to private data is limited strictly to what is necessary to perform assigned job duties. While accessing such data, the employee must take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related need. Once the work-related purpose has been met, private data must be properly secured and stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions
A. Work is performed both in the office and in the field. Headaches, eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury within the office.
B. Environmental conditions include heat, cold, wetness, insect-borne illnesses, and other related occupational hazards associated with field work.
C. This position may be intermittently exposed to offensive language and threats.
D. This position is under continuous mental effort and stress.
E. This position frequently performs work under high attention to detail and deadlines.

Hours of Work
A. Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Equipment Utilized
A. Office Equipment, computer hardware and software, County Pickup trucks, County SUV vehicles, personal vehicle, and phones.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.