Public Works Maintenance Deputy Director

Posting number: 2026-00465

Department: Public Works

Division: Operations/RoadMaintenance

Job classification: Deputy Director of Public Works (Unclassified) (0900)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Maintenance

Summary

To manage and direct the functions of a designated division (Program Delivery, Highway Maintenance or Multimodal Planning); to participate as a member of the Public Works department management team in the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures, budget, implementation and evaluation of programs; to supervise and direct all division staff in carrying out the mission of the assigned division; and to perform related duties as assigned. This position is a direct report to the Director of Public Works - County Engineer.

Examples of duties

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
2. Promote efficient, effective and collaborative service delivery.
3. Direct, manage and administer human resource policy and procedures including hiring, staff evaluation, discipline, labor relations, grievance resolution and compensation in cooperation with Human Resources Department staff.
4. Assist with development of the department’s annual budget, capital improvement plan, performance measures and annual work plans. Monitor department spending to keep expenditures within approved budget.
5. Direct, manage and oversee the selection of professional consultants and contractors, the negotiation and execution of contracts and agreements with vendors, and the monitoring of contracted services performance to ensure the delivery of effective services in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and policies.
6. Represent the county before the news media, elected officials, state and federal officials, local government officials, staff from other counties, and the community to present the county position on projects, pending changes in laws, rules or regulations, and to explain county policies and procedures.
7. Convene, facilitate and participate in inter-service team, inter-departmental, inter-agency and community work teams dealing with county-wide strategic issues and initiatives. Represent the county on special committees and before government bodies including state, regional and local governments. Build collaborative partnerships to support state, regional, and local transportation initiatives.
8. Manage special projects as assigned by the Director of Public Works – County Engineer or other county leaders.
9. Develop and administer a strategic highway maintenance work program that promotes safety for the traveling public and maximizes the life of the transportation infrastructure. Prioritize, allocate, and balance resources within the work program to support the strategic goals of the organization. Assess whether projects can be completed with internal resources, or whether outsourcing is required.
10. Provide professional expertise by providing resources, guidance, standards, and work processes based on accepted practices and principles; ensure work products and processes provide required technical results; and develop and implement standards and processes to maintain or improve technical services being delivered.
11. Develop and manage contracts and agreements with contractors, suppliers and vendors to best administer the maintenance of the county highway system.
12. Act as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Public Works Department.
13. Provide professional expertise to the Ramsey County Board, Minnesota Department of Transportation, municipal partners, and other state and regional agencies. Build collaborative partnerships to support state, regional and local transportation initiatives.
14. Participate in an array of committees, boards and task forces to enhance transportation infrastructure and related development impacting Ramsey County and the metropolitan region.
    (The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or a related field.

Experience: Six years of progressively responsible experience in transportation and/or public infrastructure development, including three or more years of management or supervisory experience

Substitutions: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: Must have a valid driver’s license. Must be registered as a professional engineer in the state of Minnesota for the Program Delivery Deputy Director position.

Preferred: Registered as a professional engineer in the state of Minnesota.

Supplemental information

This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official. This position requires an open screening and selection process. There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration. Please read below for further instructions.

Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:
Subdivision 1. General. "The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board."

Interested candidates should apply online by completing the online application prior to the close date listed and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Megan.Simmons@ramseycountymn.gov