Deputy Highway Commissioner

Purpose of Position

JOB SUMMARY
The job duties of the Deputy Highway Commissioner include but are not limited to assist the Highway Commissioner in the overall leadership, management, and project coordination of the Highway Department; and to provide responsive, courteous and efficient service to County residents and the general public.

Application Deadline: Sunday, September 19th 2025.

Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise department personnel; plan, direct and coordinate work activities of subordinates and review work. Participate in candidate interviews and recommend individuals for employment.
• Assist in preparing requests for qualifications and requests for proposals. Participate in engineering consultant interviews, evaluate qualifications and proposals, and recommend consultants for road and bridge project engineering.
• Develop and prepare specifications and requests for quotations for construction materials and other contract services. Evaluate proposals/quotations, select and recommend vendors, and obtain required contract documents.
• Plan and schedule all maintenance and construction operations. Develop critical path schedules for department’s projects. Update department’s website with relevant project information in a timely manner.
• Serve as the department’s Safety Manager. Coordinate, conduct and document employee safety training including 2 full days of department-wide training, monthly safety work group meetings, and monthly toolbox safety/communication meetings.
• Serve as county’s representative on work done by county for other jurisdictions.
• Prepare unit price proposals for agreed unit price, service and supply, and cost reimbursement for contract work completed by the Highway Department for county, state and local projects.
• Negotiate real estate acquisitions for County construction projects in accordance with State & Federal guidelines.
• Oversee department’s equipment operator training program.
• Assist with oversight of Local Roads Improvement Program (LRIP) funding allocation for local municipalities. Certify that local road improvement projects comply with established standards.
• Review and approve subdivision plans for highway access and permits for other work performed in County right-of-way.
• Assist in preparation of annual construction budget.
• Register and serve as the Federal Motor Carrier’s Safety Administration ELDT program administrator and administer the department’s ELDT program. Ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier’s Safety Administration and provide training for employees.
• Assist the Entry Level Driver Trainer and ensure all training is conducted and documented as required by the Federal Motor Carrier’s Safety Administration.
• Facilitate Highway department’s inter-departmental cooperation with other Chippewa County departments and neighboring county highway departments.
• Assist County’s Bridge Inspection Program Manager in conducting county and local bridge safety inspections.
• Provide technical information for local and state governments. Regularly attend County Towns Association meetings and individual Town Board meetings as needed.
• Participate in 5-year Capital Improvement Project planning.
• Serve as county’s representative at construction meetings.
• Inspect proposed projects, projects under construction and completed construction.
• Attend training, workshops, seminars and conferences.
• Attend and participate in meetings of County Highway committee and other committees as assigned.

• Perform the duties of Highway Commissioner in their absence.
• Conduct performance evaluations for four mid-level supervisors and oversee performance evaluations for approximately 60-70 indirectly reporting employees.
• Direct the work of and manage the staff of the Highway Department.
• Interview and select new employees.
• Plan, direct, coordinate work activities of subordinates and review work.
• Participate in development and oversee implementation of County policies.
• Recommend employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, discharge and salary increases.
• Develop and communicate Department’s on-call supervisory rotation.
• Provide on-call service and supervisor status for one scheduled holiday. Communicate on-call status with emergency dispatch.

• Taxpayers & traveling public
• Jobsite residents
• Other County departments
• Emergency services
• County Administrator
• Highway Committee
• Local businesses
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Chippewa County cities, villages, and towns
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Media

• Highway Department management staff
• Highway Department employees

• Highway Department office staff
• WCHA Highway Commissioners and Committees
• Various County committees and work groups
• Safety Work Group
• Safety consultant
• Engineering consultants
• Peers in other Wisconsin Counties

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related field with a minimum of six (6) years civil engineering, highway department or transportation construction industry experience required.

• Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Management or related field with a minimum of ten (10) years highway department or transportation construction industry experience required.
• Minimum of five (5) years previous supervisory experience required.
• Federal bridge inspection certification required within one (1) year from date of hire.
• National Highway Institute Right-of-way Acquisition certification within six (6) months from date of hire.
• Must have professional work experience in highway department operations.
• Professional Engineering registration in the State of Wisconsin preferred.
• A valid driver’s license required.
• A cell phone required.