Director of Engineering and County Highway Engineer

Ingham County•Mason, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Managing Director, this role directs all activities associated with Engineering, Traffic Engineering and Permit/Development, and the Signal Shop. The position also performs the duties of County Highway Engineer, pursuant to State of Michigan statute. Key responsibilities include directing the development of road and bridge projects and subdivision and commercial developments, ensuring compliance with Road Department standards and goals. The role involves developing long and short-term road and bridge improvement strategies in collaboration with other agencies and planning and implementing traffic engineering activities for safe and efficient traffic movement. The position also assists the Road Department’s legal representative in traffic safety matters, reviews and evaluates expenditures related to construction programs, and keeps the Managing Director and the Board informed of progress towards departmental goals.

Requirements

Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering.
Six years of progressively more responsible civil engineering experience.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Michigan.
Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.
Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Responsibilities

Directs the general work assignment of Engineering, Permit, and Signal Shop employees by coordinating work activities through the Design Engineer, Construction Project Engineer, and the Permits Engineer.
Monitors work output, evaluates performance and administers discipline as warranted.
Works closely with the Road Department’s Design Engineer, Construction Project Engineer, and with consultants on road and bridge improvement projects.
As County Highway Engineer, makes surveys ordered by the board, prepares plans and specifications for roads, bridges, and culverts.
Exercises general supervision over construction to ensure that the plans and specifications are strictly followed.
Ensures that projects are designed to industry standards, built to Road Department standards and completed on schedule.
Approves project documents and administers subsequent contracts.
Plans, organizes and directs all activities of traffic engineering including traffic studies, traffic sign and signal installation, guardrail installation and repair and maintenance and pavement marking.
Manages traffic engineering studies, evaluates results and recommends appropriate actions.
Meets and responds to state and federal officials, township officials, the public, contractors and developers to explain reasons for projects, resolve problems, answer questions and encourage compliance on projects and developments affecting the Road Department.
Meets regularly with the Managing Director, other department directors and the Board to discuss activities, schedules, problems and issues pertaining to design, construction, traffic engineering, and permit activities.
Develops short and long-term road and bridge improvement programs and cost estimates for projects included in these programs and for projects to be let to contract.
Oversees the preparation of the Act 51 certification road mileage and updates road and bridge inventories.
Develops preliminary budget with the Managing Director.
Defends budget requests in the budget review process.
Monitors budget expenditures and financial management activities, identifying and ensuring correction of problem areas.
Maintains records and approves payments to contractors, the Michigan Department of Transportation and other agencies.
Works with the Permits Engineer to review utility construction plans, subdivision plans and the construction work associated with these activities.
Responds to inquiries and problems associated with overweight and oversize vehicles, transportation permits and weighmaster problems in the absence of the Permits Engineer.
Maintains professional affiliations and standing.
Attends a variety of workshops, seminars and conferences and reads extensively to stay current on new developments, techniques and methods relating to department needs.