County Engineer

Under general direction of the Board of Supervisors and in accordance with county, state, and federal policies, organizes and directs all road planning, engineering, roadside vegetation, construction and maintenance activities of the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department, managing the department and supervising its employees.   

• Civil engineering practices 
• Modern road and bridge construction and maintenance practices
• Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and specifications
• Federal sign regulations
• Computer Assisted Design and Drafting (CADD)
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and inspection standards
• Planning with an understanding of both urban and rural designs
• Principles and practices of public management, administration, and labor relations
• Fiscal responsibility includes budget preparation, grant oversight and compliance, and program development and evaluation 

Ability to:

• Recruit, hire, train, manage, evaluate, discipline, and motivate staff in accordance with county employment policies and collective bargaining contract
• Prepare, justify, monitor and direct work within budget
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with county personnel, contractors, vendors, and members of the public
• Establish goals and objectives and assess progress toward their achievement
• Analyze organizational and operational problems and develop timely and economical solutions
• Present information and respond effectively to questions including requests from groups of managers, employees, contractors, and members of the public
• Represent the activity both within and outside the Department and gain support for the Department’s goals
• Advise Board of Supervisors regarding work projects and areas of public concern
• Integrate land use planning with transportation design
• Negotiate, interpret, evaluate, and write policies, proposals, contracts, and agreements
• Comprehend, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, governmental regulations, and professional periodicals
• Use computer and related software programs for the purposes of engineering, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations
• Handle moderate to high levels of stress, meet deadlines and solve problems appropriate to the position 
• Maintain accurate records; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to groups and individuals in formal and non-formal situations
• Occasionally lift, carry and/or push up to 50 pounds
• Stand, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, squat, bend, twist, reach, and crawl
• Work outdoors on all types of terrain in all types of weather
• Have clarity of speech, hearing, and writing which permits effective communication
• Have sufficient vision which permits moderate production and review of a wide variety of materials both in electronic and hardcopy forms
• Have sufficient manual dexterity to make handwritten notations and which permits moderate use of a keyboard
• Have sufficient personal mobility to function in a wide variety of physical activities, including completion of field work at County facilities and construction sites
• Be on call 24 hours a day to handle or consult on road or bridge emergencies

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at least 5 years of experience as a civil engineer and 2 years of experience in a management level position or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.   

Special requirements: Valid Iowa Professional Engineering License. Must pass background investigation. Valid Iowa driver’s license and insurable under county liability coverage.  May also require use of private vehicle for official business.  Must qualify for bond.  Within six months of hire, must reside in Johnson County or within a twenty-five mile radius of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.  Valid Iowa Professional Land Surveyors License registration desired. to be performed satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation 
The following duties are normal for this position.   These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Leads the Secondary Roads Department by exercising direct supervision of management and general supervision over staff; coordinates and assigns program areas of responsibility to staff; communicates with staff and reviews plans, progress, and outcomes of assigned work. Monitors contractors performance. 
• Provides short-term goals and long-range planning objectives for construction and maintenance projects.
• Manages personnel administration by making department head decisions, overseeing recruiting, selecting, training, evaluating, promoting, disciplining, and discharging Departmental personnel.
• Oversees updates to the Johnson County Five-Year Program (CFYP) working in conjunction with the Planning, Development, and Sustainability Department and Zoning Commission to ensure coordination with the County’s Land Use Plan.
• Administers engineering services, including surveying and preparation of designs, plan specifications, project estimates, design approval, materials testing, and contracted construction and maintenance.
• Prepares and implements annual department budget and programs in accordance with the Iowa Code and Iowa Department of Transportation regulations.  Authorizes payroll and purchases, monitors expenditures, prepares capital equipment bid specifications, oversees maintenance shop operations, material supply and allocation, and makes recommendations for budget modifications or additional funds.
• Seeks grant support that is in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Department.
• Processes work orders, establishes and adjusts work procedures to meet production schedules, and suggests changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency and safety of work crew.
• Inspects completed work for conformance to plans, specifications, and standards.
• Participates in collective bargaining, disciplines employees, collaborates with Human Resources to address and resolve grievances and other personnel matters in compliance with the employee handbook, collective bargaining agreement, county policies and Board of Supervisors directives.
• Ensures adequate road signing for traveling public’s safety.
• Maintains positive department public relations, responding to and resolving public problems and complaints.
• Coordinates road construction and maintenance with the work of other county departments, and with other public agencies.
• Administers county policies and ordinances regarding Level B roads, snow removal, private application of rock, and dust control. Approves driveway access permits. 
• Interprets county policies and procedures to workers and enforces safety regulations and standards.
• Directs preparation and maintenance of department records.
• Attends work-related meetings, conferences and seminars.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreement, and safety practices.

For questions regarding this position please contact Ines Beltre at 319-688-8076 or ibeltre@johnsoncountyiowa.gov

Salary : $127,275 - $152,730