Assistant County Engineer

Mille Lacs County, MN; Milaca (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Mille Lacs County in Minnesota is seeking an Assistant County Engineer to provide leadership for road, bridge, ditch, park, and trail engineering, construction, and maintenance projects.

The role involves collaborating with the Public Works Director, supervising engineering staff, managing bridge inspection programs, preparing reports, presenting to the County Board, and pursuing grant funding to support county infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education in Civil Engineering Technology and four years' experience, including two years in highway design, one year in bridge safety inspection, two years in project management.

Responsibilities

• Uses independent judgment to supervise and lead department personnel; hiring, coaching and performance reviews.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates road, bridge, ditch, park, and trail engineering, construction, and maintenance projects.
• Directs engineering staff in planning and documenting highway improvement projects; liaises with MnDOT, DNR, Army Corps, and local governments.
• Attends County Board meetings to present plans, reports, and program developments.
• Oversees bridge inspection program; reviews inspections and determines maintenance or repair options.

Skills

Project management

Public works leadership

Bridge safety inspection

Highway design

Grant funding

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Post-secondary civil engineering coursework

Job description

Assistant County Engineer

The Assistant County Engineer assists in providing leadership and direction related to operations and services within the County. Plans, directs, and coordinates all County road, bridge, ditch, park, and trail engineering; construction; and maintenance projects.

This is a non-union position. Complete 2026 pay scale is $80,142.40- $104,852.80/annually.

This job description indicates the normal type and level of work expected of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as apparent or assigned.

Responsibilities

1. Uses independent judgment to provide supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control. Makes recommendations on matters of hiring and discipline. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for staff. Provides training and work direction, ensuring staff know and follow department and county rules, as well as sound work and safety practices, to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
2. Responsible for communications that maintain relationships key to the function of the county; plans and carries out communications at a level that can impact the morale and performance of staff.
3. In collaboration with the Public Works Director, plans, directs, and sets short- and long-term goals and objectives for the County Public Works Department, including establishing policies to maintain and improve the County highway, ditch, park, and trail systems subject to state and federal laws and economic constraints, and consistent with County Board objectives.
4. Manages the County's bridge inspection program. Manage field inspection procedures and field bridge inspection reports; review bridges in field with bridge inspection personnel to determine specific rating or maintenance problems; investigate bridge maintenance problems and determine repair options; compute or check new postings calculations; prepare letters and reports to local and state officials concerning the condition of specific structures.
5. Oversees and directs engineering staff in the planning, design, and documentation of federal, state, and county highway improvement projects. Coordinates project development and required reports with MnDOT, DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, local governments, and other agencies. Reviews design data, plans, estimates, and right-of-way issues; monitors staff progress; and recommends improvements to ensure project goals and compliance with current standards.
6. Makes recommendations; prepares reports for, and coordinates department plans with, the Public Works Director. Attends County Board meetings to present plans and accomplishments, and to discuss the development and implementation of programs and policies. The preparation of material for presentations concerning future or pending construction and conduct public meetings.
7. Supervises, and assists with the work of engineering staff, including associated work involved with the survey, design, construction, inspection, and project management of related activity involving County roads, ditches, parks, and trails. Ensures staff know and follow department and county rules, as well as sound work and safety practices, in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
8. Responsible for engineering design recommendations related to maintenance of the county ditch system and the county's park and trail systems.
9. Seeks grant funding and other outside funding sources for projects and department purposes; works with administration staff to account for grant fund uses. Administers state and federal funds for the county and political subdivisions within the county.

Qualifications

• Two years of post-secondary education in Civil Engineering Technology and four years' experience, which includes two years in highway design, one year in bridge safety inspection, two years in project management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must possess or have the ability to promptly obtain the following certifications upon request: MNDOT Certified Construction Technician, Bituminous Plant Level II, Bituminous Street Level II, Concrete Field Level II, Grading and Base Level II.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check.
• Class D Driver's License.
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field and two or more years directly related professional experience preferred, in addition to advanced training desirable in bridge rating, hydrology, geometric design, geology, GIS, traffic data analysis, right-of-way acquisition, computers, public relations, and management.
• Complete 2026 annual salary range is $80,142.40- $104,852.80.

Candidates will be selected based on a review of training and experience. Top candidates will be selected to participate in oral interviews.

Complete 2026 annual salary range is $80,142.40- $104,852.80.