Full Time General Foreman

The General Foreman coordinates and supervises the daily operations and maintenance of the County Highway Department by directing maintenance personnel and assigning tasks. This position supervises the daily operations of the maintenance section of the Highway Department and engineering operations and plans future projects and equipment purchases.

• Responsible for county highway and bridge maintenance.
  • Routinely look at the highways to determine what maintenance is needed and what priorities exist.
  • Receive input from the public and law enforcement on maintenance needs.
  • Review maintenance needs with the County Engineer.
• Make arrangements for acquiring appropriate materials for maintenance projects.
  • Determine staffing for each project.
  • Notify Gopher State One Call when digging.
  • Assign responsibilities to staff.
  • React to gaps in staffing.
• Coordinate activities with utility companies that are located on County right of way.
  • Check work done by maintenance personnel for completion and quality.
  • Supervise all major projects.
  • Direct changes in procedures and corrections, if any.
• Keep records of all materials on hand and purchased for the year.
• Responsible for emergency snowplow operations.
• Report to and update the County Engineer on maintenance activities.
• Order and supervise equipment repairs.
• Oversee roadside spraying and mowing operations.
• Assist with safety meetings and help resolve safety issues.
• Handle inquiries, comments and complaints from the public regarding highway maintenance items.
• Evaluate the employees in the maintenance operation.
• Set specifications for new equipment.
• Be available 24 hours a day for bad weather notification.
• Assist with budget preparation.

Supervision:

• Directs, supervises and coordinates activities of all maintenance employees.

• Manages and directs the Maintenance staff and the work activities of the employees in alignment with the vision and direction of the County.
• Provides effective supervision, training, and guidance for assigned personnel; is approachable; anticipates changes and manages challenges.
• Promotes teamwork and cooperation.
• Serves as a positive role model of successful performance and ethical conduct.
• Monitors and documents the work performance of assigned personnel on a timely and continual basis, conducts effective coaching, reviews performance, and takes corrective action whenever necessary.
• Delegates responsibility and authority.
• Responsible for scheduling work assignments, tracking, and approving hours of work.
• Conducts or oversees training for current and new employees to ensure established procedures are clearly understood and followed.
• Continually monitors results being achieved in assigned areas, providing the necessary tools, and coaching to create a cohesive team.
• Creates a working climate in which assigned personnel are motivated to develop their working knowledge, skills, and abilities, and demonstrates by personal example the desired standards of conduct and work performance.

Other duties as assigned or apparent:

• Attends trainings and meetings.
• Other duties and responsibilities as needed.

Education:

• Associate degree and five years experience working with a public highway department or construction firms.

Requirements:

• Class A Drivers license.
• Be a licensed roadside sprayer of herbicides within one year of hire.
• Live withing 30 minutes of assigned garage.
• Pass drug and alcohol test to County/ Federal drug and alcohol requirements for safety sensitive positions.
• Certified in all levels of Erosion Control by the University of Minnesotawithin 5 years of employment.
• Must be able to represent Brown County and Engineer at conferences, seminars, meetings and other functions.

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations relating to highway, bridge and ditch systems designs, construction and maintenance, and land acquisition.
• Proven leadership skills for the management and supervision of Highway Department activities.
• The 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 to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale.
• The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to apply professional/managerial principles and judgement within overall goals/directions established by senior management.
• Significant project management skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships to carryout organization programs on matters requiring cooperation, explanation, and persuasion.

Position is a Grade 11 with an entry level wage range of $33.55 to $37.62 per hour, DOQ.
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