Department Head of Highway Operations

Exempt (additional compensation to include annual work boot allowance, prescription safety glasses, personal protective equipment); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; full-benefits

This professional position will manage, supervise, plan, and coordinate the activities of the Department of Highway Operations, Division of Public Works. This position is responsible for the preparation of annual operating budgets and manages all aspects of the Frederick County-owned road and bridge network. Supervision is given to Highway Operations staff; supervision is received from the Division Director of Public Works.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with limited exception.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

Total Compensation Package

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Vesting after 5 years of service
• Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan
  

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Provide management, direction and oversight to the operations and staff of the Department of Highway Operations
• Administer personnel functions for the department to include evaluating, mentoring, and counseling of subordinates; ensure appropriate training and certifications are maintained
• Manage, analyze and review engineering design/program construction of projects to identify technical issues; ensure that resources are available to complete in-house projects
• Plan, direct and coordinate emergency situations and emergency responses (i.e., debris cleanup and removal operations from wind, snow and ice storms); provide assistance to first responders by redirecting staff and resources; review and implement emergency plans
• Manage department repair/maintenance projects with County, State, Federal and local agencies
• Develop department’s short and long-range goals and objectives; develop a course of action to prevent deficiencies and address any issues that are identified
• Monitor department-wide employee morale, job engagement and workforce issues to increase staff retention; recommend new policies to the Division Director to increase retention and morale
• Manage snow removal operations, which include contracting for material, contractors and equipment, crew training, briefing partners (i.e. Divisions, municipalities, State and Federal agencies), as well as actual winter operations during weather events
• Prepare and manage the operating budget; track expenditures and operations, as needed, make annual adjustments to the budgets; develop budget appeals
• Update the Division Director, Chief Administrative Officer, and elected officials of emergency situations that may affect the public or County staff to include changing road conditions caused by weather events or infrastructure failures
• Draft and distribute operational updates to elected officials, Chief Administrative Officer, and other government agencies, including City of Frederick and Ft. Detrick partners
• Act as a liaison with other emergency response agencies, including Emergency Management, Fire Rescue Service and Law Enforcement agencies
• Drive County vehicle to perform field inspections and off-site visits
• Conduct meetings with staff to discuss assignments, priorities, policies and department operations
• Serve as County liaison on State, State-County road improvement projects, including plan reviews; attend project meetings and coordinate construction activities
• Manage, develop and review departmental policy and procedures, including training and programs; develop, initiate and communicate changes to departmental policies and procedures
• Manage, address and resolve citizen complaints timely manner
• Lead, prepare and participate in Emergency Management planning and implementation for the County
• Serve as the County’s representative to the Rustic Roads Commission; attend quarterly meetings
• As needed, serve as Director of the Division of Public Works in Director’s absence
• Perform other related duties as required
  
  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, civil engineering, construction management, or a related field
• Minimum of 8 years of work experience in public works operations, maintenance, or infrastructure management. Which must Include the following:
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience supervising or managing staff
• Minimum of 2 years budgetary/fiscal management work experience
• Possession of a valid automobile operator’s license

A combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position may be considered as a substitution for the above-listed required education and experience. Additional required or preferred qualifications may apply based on operational needs, as approved by Human Resources.

Additional Requirements

Employees in this classification are designated as Essential. An Essential Employee means the employee is considered necessary for the operation of County services. Essential Employees are required to report to work in the event of a weather incident, general emergency, or disasters when County offices are closed. They may be required to work overtime with little or no advance notice and may be required to report to work in emergency situations and/or after hours.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Knowledge of fleet management best practices, including vehicle procurement activities, vehicle preventive maintenance
• Knowledge of the fabrication, installation and maintenance of traffic signs
• Knowledge of laws, code, regulations, procedures, and requirements regarding highway operations and fleet services, and ability to effectively apply them
• Ability to effectively prepare reports and special studies, and to interpret and create maps
• Knowledge of organizational and personnel management with the ability to effectively supervise, direct and evaluate the work of staff
• Knowledge of the theory and practices of civil engineering and public works administration
• Knowledge of how weather conditions vary around the County with the ability to make operational decisions with changing weather forecasts
• Advanced knowledge of equipment usage and material application parameters with the skill to prepare and review related specifications
• Knowledge of the Frederick County Code, which establishes rights and responsibilities within the County Right of Way
• Ability to effectively prepare and present clear, concise reports and presentations to varied audiences
• Ability to effectively administer and prepare budgets and to compile and analyze detailed fiscal and statistical information
• Ability to effectively utilize computerized systems and equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets and e-mail software
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, co-workers, other divisions, media representatives and the general public
• Ability to effectively read and interpret blueprints, specifications, plans and drawings
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including public speaking skills and the ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports
• Ability to effectively and quickly respond to emergency situations and develop concise short and long-term plans of action
• Ability to plan, design, organize and administer large-scale public works transportation maintenance and repair projects
• Ability to effectively manage construction claims, change orders and if needed arbitration
• Ability to direct the efforts of various maintenance crews as well as operational facilities
  
  

Preference May Be Given For

• Related management experience at the local government level and/or private-sector management experience with similar professional and technical diversity and organization size
• Certificate of registration as a Maryland Professional Engineer or ability to receive reciprocity from another U.S. state
  
  

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; and occasionally walk and drive
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors; rarely work outdoors and required to wear protective equipment
• This position is considered essential personnel in the event of an emergency or inclement weather
• Available on-call 24/7 to respond to significant events and/or emergencies
• Flexibility in routine work schedule to accommodate meetings, occasionally short notice at various times, including nights and weekends
  
  

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may Include)

• An evaluation of training and experience
• One or more interviews