Public Works Director/County Engineer

Mille Lacs County Attorney's Office; Milaca (MN); On-site; USD 133,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Works Director serves as the department head for the Public Works Department and the County Engineer pursuant to Minnesota Statute 163.07, providing leadership and direction related to operations and services within the county. This is a non-union position with a 2026 annual salary range of $132,662.40 to $173,534.40.

Essential duties include supervision, budget preparation, policy development, and coordination with the County Administrator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with eight years of related work experience, including two years in supervision.
• Hold Minnesota Professional Engineering License.
• Possess a Class D Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Provides supervision and leadership to department personnel, with staffing decisions and performance reviews.
• Maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders through effective communications.
• Allocates and analyzes resources, develops budgets, and coordinates funding with the County Administrator.
• Plans and implements short- and long-term objectives and policies for the Public Works Department.
• Manages county road system including planning, design, construction oversight, and Right-of-Way.
• Prepares applications for funding and administers state and federal funds.
• Collaborates with other departments and agencies to address service needs and regulatory changes.
• Reports program outcomes and fiscal issues to the County Board and County Administrator.
• Oversees County parks and trails projects and long-term planning activities.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Minnesota Professional Engineering License

Class D Driver’s License

Job description

The Public Works Director serves as the department head for the Public Works Department and the County Engineer pursuant to Minnesota Statute 163.07, providing leadership and direction related to operations and services within the county. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining the standards, controls, and policies necessary to administer and coordinate the various programs and services provided by the department. This is a non-union position. Complete 2026 annual salary range is $132,662.40 - $173,534.40.

Essential Functions

• 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.
• 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.
• Allocates human and fiscal resources, as authorized by the County Board, to ensure departmentgoals are achieved in a cost-effective manner. Analyzes expenditures, expected needs, future costprojections and sources of funding to develop detailed budgets and present funding requests tothe County Administrator. Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, ensuring that the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures. Public Works Director.
• Plans, develops, and implements short-term and long-term objectives, operating policies and procedures to accomplish departmental goals and objectives. Interprets policies and ordinances and ensures uniform application to the public, including the impacts of new legislation. Works with the County Administrator on the development of departmental policies, short-term and long-term goals, and the annual work plan.
• Manage county road system providing expert planning and oversight in the areas of development, design, construction, maintenance and Right-of-Way. Manage the work involved in construction inspection, quality control, measurement of quantities, and documentation of contract progress.
• Prepares and submits applications for funding programs consistent with delegated authority.
• Administers state and federal funds for the county and political subdivisions within the county.
• Collaborates with other county departments, state and local agencies, cities, townships, and the public to address service needs and recommend legislative changes. Meets with governmental units or agencies and the public to explain department programs and projects, resolve problems, and obtain necessary approvals.
• Provides the County Administrator and County Board with comprehensive information regarding programmatic outcomes, alternatives, recommendations, and initiatives. Presents regular reports to the County Board and County Administrator on Department activities, program trends, and fiscal issues.
• Responsible for County parks and trails. This includes directing and/or assisting with obtaining required survey information, engineering design, construction oversight, and maintenance of County parks and trails. This position is also responsible for obtaining or overseeing application for funding for parks, trails, and long-term planning activities.
• Confers with the County Attorney and law firms on retainer to conduct enforcement actions and solicit input as required on other departmental operations.
• Serves as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act Responsible Authority designee for theDepartment; responsible for the records and management of records, including all applicable dataretention and data privacy regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and eight (8) years of directly related work experience, including a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minnesota Professional Engineering License..
• Class D Driver’s License.

Medical Insurance

Employees have three (3) medical insurance plans to choose from, within three (3) different networks. The rates shown are effective 1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026.

Coverage Premiums

$971.66
$0
$93.75
$2,582.30
$932.30
N/A
$1,093.56
$121.90
N/A
$2,906.28
$1,256.28
N/A
$1,155.78
$184.12
N/A
$3,071.64
$1,421.64
N/A

Coverage Premiums

$971.66
$0
$93.75
$2,582.30
$932.30
N/A
$1,093.56
$121.90
N/A
$2,906.28
$1,256.28
N/A
$1,155.78
$184.12
N/A
$3,071.64
$1,421.64
N/A

Coverage Premiums

$971.66
$0
$93.75
$2,582.30
$932.30
N/A
$1,093.56
$121.90
N/A
$2,906.28
$1,256.28
N/A
$1,155.78
$184.12
N/A
$3,071.64
$1,421.64
N/A

Coverage Premiums

$971.66
$0
$93.75
$2,582.30
$932.30
N/A
$1,093.56
$121.90
N/A
$2,906.28
$1,256.28
N/A
$1,155.78
$184.12
N/A
$3,071.64
$1,421.64
N/A

Dental Insurance

There is no cost to the employee for single coverage. Family coverage costs the employee $76.46 per month.

Vision Insurance

• Employee Only - $5.85
• Employee + Spouse - $11.69
• Employee + Children - $11.31
• Family - $18.35

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s) Available

• FSA Medical/Health max election of $3,400 per year
• Limited Purpose FSA max election of $3,400 per year (funds can only be used for vision, dental or orthodontia expenses when paired with an HSA until medical deductible has been met)
• FSA Dependent Care max election of $7,500 per year per family ($3,750 if married and filing separately)

Paid Time Off

Holidays: Full-time employees have approximately 14.5 paid holidays per year, including floating holidays, subject to the terms of the Personnel Policy or Collective Bargaining Agreement as applicable.

Vacation: Full-time employees earn 11 to 23 days per year, depending on tenure. Part-time employees earn pro- rated accruals.

Sick Time: Full-time employees accrue 12 sick days per year. Part-Time employees earn pro-rated accruals.

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) Benefits Provided

Employees fall under the General, Police & Fire, or Correctional defined benefit plan depending on their position. PERA rates and handbooks available on-line: http://www.mnpera.org

• Coordinated Plan 7.5% 6.5%
• Police & Fire Plan 16.2% 10.8%
• Correctional Plan 10.25% 6.83%

Deferred Compensation Program Available

Deferred Compensation Plans are available through Nationwide: https://www.nrsforu.com/rsc-web- preauth/index.html

Life Insurance

There Is No Cost To The Employee For $15,000 In Basic Life Insurance Coverage. Rates For Voluntary Additional Coverage For Employee Or Spouse Vary According To Age Category

Age of Employee or Spouse – Employee Monthly Cost per $1,000

Underage 35

• 06

35-39

• 10

40-44

• 12

45-49

• 17

50-54

• 25

55-59

• 45

60-64

• 68

65-69

1.29

70-74

2.08

Dependent Life & Child Life Insurance Packages Available

Child life is available as a $10,000 policy on each child; the cost is $1.30 per month. Dependent care is available as a $2,500 policy on all tax dependents; the cost is $0.66 per month.

Long-term Disability Insurance Plan Available

Rates vary according to age and coverage amount; rates listed reflect monthly costs.

Underage 25

• 26

25-29

• 33

30-34

• 40

35-39

• 48

40-44

• 65

45-49

• 94

50-54

1.25

55-59

1.51

60+

1.53

Short-term Disability Insurance Plan Available

Rates vary according to age and coverage amount; rates listed reflect monthly costs.

UnderAge 30

1.00

30-34

1.10

35-39

1.10

40-44

1.10

45-49

1.30

50-54

1.70

55-59

2.00

60-64

2.40

65+

2.80

Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Confinement Insurance Available