Highway Commissioner

Purpose of Position

JOB SUMMARY
The Highway Commissioner is a Wisconsin Statutory position subject to provisions of Chapter 83.01 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. The job duties of the Highway Commissioner include but are not limited to administer, plan, direct, supervise and implement the activities of the Chippewa County Highway Department; to represent and protect the transportation interests of Chippewa County on a regional and statewide basis; to administer, plan and direct the operation of the Chippewa County Non-Highway fleet; and to provide responsive, courteous and efficient service to County residents and the general public.

To view the Highway Commissioner Announcement and County Profile click here.

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 18th 2025.

Interviews will be conducted on Thursday, May 29th 2025.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties described below are indicative of what the Highway Commissioner might be asked to perform. This job description is to incorporate any county ordinances created for the position of Highway Commissioner. This is not an exhaustive list of job responsibilities and therefore other duties may be assigned:

Administrative Functions:

• Direct and supervise the work activities of senior management employees. Assign supervisory and team management tasks. Coordinate the work activities of the multiple divisions of the department and monitor and evaluate the performance standards of those divisions. Resolve any conflicts within department divisions.
• Inspect the County Trunk Highway system for repairs and construction projects. Develop and implement the long-range transportation plans of the County. Develop both short-term and long-term capital improvement programs. Participate and make recommendations for regional urban transportation improvements and assist in directing local and regional funding activities.
• Must maintain knowledge of current local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, as they pertain to department activities and must evaluate department activities to implement those changes as may be required to comply with those laws, rules and regulations. Must maintain a working knowledge of the Wisconsin Statutes and Transportation Administrative rules as they apply to and impact Town, City, County and State Transportation program areas.
• Prepare, recommend and administer the annual department budget. Responsible for the financial management of the department and to insure the adherence to financial accounting principles. Prepare and present the department’s annual operations and financial reports. Prepare, recommend and/or approve of all local, state and federal grant or funding reimbursements for the Highway Department.
• Respond to and resolve public inquiries and complaints. Analyze and take the appropriate action with respect to correspondence and generate correspondence to multiple interests. Prepare, present and provide information, person-to-person, in written text or through verbal presentations to individuals, groups, media, businesses, officials, County personnel and the general public regarding department activities and transportation issues. Provide technical information and assistance to local governments and officials.
• Participate in employee interviews and has final approval on employee selections. Approve discipline and discharge, transfers and promotions. Recommend and/or approve salary increases. Review grievances and direct department’s position. Direct employee training and safety programs.
• Responsible for the technical management of the department and the adherence to technical standards and principals. Review requests for proposals and statements of qualifications for engineering consultants. Interview and select engineering consultants for transportation projects. Negotiate contracts between the County and engineering consultants for transportation design services. Negotiate contracts between several parties for engineering design services on multitasking and complex issue projects.
• Review specifications, quotations and bids for the purchase of equipment and materials and recommends and/or approves purchases.
• Draft, review and/or approve department correspondence and contracts for compliance to local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Prepare documents for court and provide technical assistance for litigation after consultation with Corporation Counsel Division. Negotiate, prepare documents for and grant utility and other right-of-way easements. Approve purchases of easements and right-of-way land acquisition. Prepare resolutions and ordinances for the highway committee and other County Board committees and make presentations for the same.
• Attend, participate and make recommendations to various governmental committees, the Highway Committee, other County Board committees and the County Board of Supervisors, on a variety of topics, including transportation and public works. Participate and is a statutory member of the County Traffic Safety Committee. Must maintain active participation in the Wisconsin County Highway Association and serve on various committees that direct statewide highway activities. Must influence and encourage elected governmental organizations to make transportation decisions and economic decisions that will conform to current standards and to construct projects to meet those standards.
• Responsible to insure that local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding environmental, air quality and wetland issues are complied with. Review and approve all regulatory permits and certifications for department operations. Serve as a technical spokesperson, resource specialist and panelist for technical committees, seminars and conferences.
• Establish and direct an internal team concept for planning and daily decision making. Provide advice and assistance to the management staff in formulating proposals for new policies and procedures. Manage and direct the specialized professional functions of the internal divisions of the department. Plan and direct the department’s emergency and disaster operations. Review weather conditions and forecasts for providing guidance to department operations.
• Make recommendations and develop position papers for the County and make presentations to local, state, and federal legislators regarding these issues in consultation with the County Administrator.
• Review and make recommendations to governmental agencies and consulting engineers regarding complex documents including, environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, economic impact statements, traffic forecasting, transportation improvement programs, administrative rules and transportation legislative issues.
• Participate and make recommendations to the State and design consultants regarding complex state transportation projects involving multiple lanes and structures with significant economic, geometric and environmental issues involving design, both preliminary and final, construction detailing, environmental impacts and funding.
• Must maintain and upgrade professional knowledge, skills and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications. Responsible to insure the cost effectiveness of the operations of the department and the quality of the work and materials that are produced.
• Responsible to market and sell to Town, City, State and governmental institutions the benefits of using services and materials that are produced by the highway department.
• Regularly attend County Traffic Safety Commission and Highway Committee meetings.

• Direct the work of and manage the staff of the Highway Department.
• Interview and select new employees.
• Assign tasks, review work and prepare performance evaluations.
• Recommend employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, discharge and salary increases.

• Taxpayers & traveling public
• County Administrator
• Highway Committee
• County Board
• Other County departments
• Emergency services
• State/Federal Legislators
• Other County departments
• Frac sand companies
• Local businesses
• Jobsite residents
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Chippewa County cities, villages, and towns
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Federal Highway Administration
• FEMA
• Media

• Highway Department management staff
• Highway Department employees
• Highway Department office staff
• Other County Department Heads
• WCHA Highway Commissioners and Committees
• West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
• Various County committees and work groups
• Safety Work Group
• Safety consultant
• Engineering consultants
• Peers in other Wisconsin Counties

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required at the time of hire or for the continuation of employment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or Bachelor’s degree with Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and five (5) years of highway department experience preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years previous supervisory experience required.
• Minimum of five (5) years previous experience in management of state and federal funded transportation projects required.
• Previous highway construction experience preferred.
• A valid driver’s license required.
• A cell phone required.