Public Works Maintenance Deputy Director (Unclassified)

Ramsey County; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ramsey County is seeking a Deputy Director to manage a designated Public Works division, directing policy, budget, program implementation, and staff supervision. The role partners with the Director of Public Works – County Engineer to advance transportation initiatives within Ramsey County.

The position requires a Civil Engineering or Construction Management degree, six years in transportation/public infrastructure, and Minnesota PE licensure. A valid driver's license is also required.

Qualifications

• Six years of progressively responsible experience in transportation and/or public infrastructure development.
• Three or more years of management or supervisory experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and related experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Direct, manage and oversee HR policy and procedures in cooperation with HR staff.
• Assist with development of the department’s annual budget and capital plan.
• Direct and oversee contracts with consultants, contractors, vendors and monitoring performance.
• Represent the county to media, officials and community on transportation initiatives.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams on county-wide strategic transportation issues.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management

Professional Engineer license (Minnesota)

Job description

Position 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 Work Performed

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Promote efficient, effective and collaborative service delivery.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Manage special projects as assigned by the Director of Public Works – County Engineer or other county leaders.
• 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.
• 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 standard and processes to maintain or improve technical services being delivered.
• Develop and manage contracts and agreements with contractors, suppliers and vendors to best administer the maintenance of the county highway system.
• Act as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Public Works Department.
• 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.
• 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.

Minimum 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.

Exam/Screening Process 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 [e-mail]

Benefits

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part‑time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits‑eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
• Employee well‑being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

01

Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please describe below your field of study, the name of the school, dates of attendance/completion and type of degree. If you have other formal training and certifications related to this position, you may include that here. If you have no degree/college credit, please write N/A in the space below. DO NOT WRITE see resume or see application.

03

Do you have at least six years of progressively responsible experience in transportation and/or public infrastructure development, including three or more years of management or supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

04

Please provide information about where you gained the experience you refer to in question #3. Please provide the following information in the space below: The name of the employer you worked for; your job title; dates of employment (mo/yr to mo/yr); and whether it was full-time or part-time. If it was part-time include the number of hours you worked per week. Do not write "see resume" or "see application" If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.

• Required Question