Road & Bridge Operations Manager

Jefferson County; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring bonus $10,000

On-site work in Golden, CO

Competitive salary

Job summary

Jefferson County in Golden, CO seeks an experienced Road and Bridge Operations Manager to oversee roadway maintenance, sidewalks, stormwater, snow and ice operations, signs, pavement markings, fleet, and facilities. The role leads supervisors, manages capital projects, and drives safety, accountability, and community collaboration.

The ideal candidate has significant public works leadership experience, strong budgeting skills, and the ability to deliver high-quality public services in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, public administration, or related field.
• 5+ years in public works, roadway maintenance, or transportation operations.
• 3+ years of supervisory or management experience.
• Valid driver's license; Colorado license preferred within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Road and Bridge operations and budgets.
• Oversee daily road, sidewalk, stormwater, fleet, and facilities maintenance.
• Lead supervisors, hire, train, and evaluate staff; manage safety and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Manage division budgets and contracts; coordinate capital projects.
• Build partnerships with contractors, engineers, and public agencies.
• Respond to emergencies, including snow operations, 24/7 readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Public works

Budget management

Strategic planning

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field

Tools

Cartegraph/OpenGov

Workday

Job description

Jefferson County isseekingan experiencedleader to oversee theRoad and Bridgeoperationsand ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient maintenance of the County’s transportation infrastructure.The

The Road and Bridge Operations Manager providesstrategic and operationalleadership forroadway maintenance, sidewalks,stormwater and drainage systems, snow and ice operations, signs and pavement markings,fleet, facilities, and related infrastructure programs.

This position leads supervisors and operational teams, oversees construction and capital improvement activities, manages divisionresourcesand budgets, and drives continuous improvement whilemaintaininga strong culture of safety, accountability, and collaboration.

The ideal candidatebringssignificantexperiencein public works, roadway maintenance,transportation operations, or a related field, along with a demonstrated ability to lead through others. Theyare astrategicand practical problem solver who can manage complex operations,projectand budgets; develop strong teams; build productive relationships with contractors,partnersand the community; and deliver dependable, high-quality public services.

SCHEDULE:

This full-time positiongenerally follows a seasonal schedule:

• April–November: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• December–March: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The position may require a variable schedule based on operational needs, including emergency response and snow and ice operations. The Road and Bridge Operations Manageris also required torespond to certain emergency situations and report to an assigned shop within one hour when called.

This position reports on-site toRoad & Bridge Central Shop (21401 Golden Gate Rd, Golden, CO 80403).

COMPENSATION:

• Hiring Range: $144,713.29 - $159,185.30 annually
• Hiring Bonus: This position is eligible for a $10,000 hiring bonus following six months of successful employment.
• Full Salary Range: $111,317.92 - $144,713.29 - $178,108.67 annually
• Starting salary will be determined based on the candidate’s relevant education, experience, skills, and qualifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Road and Bridge Division by developing and implementing plans, policies, and procedures that support division goals and priorities.
• Oversee the daily operations and maintenance of roads, sidewalks, stormwater and drainage systems, street sweeping, landscaping, fleet, and facilities. Ensure construction, capital improvement, pavement management, safety, and inspection programs are completed effectively and in compliance with applicable standards.
• Lead and develop supervisory staff by assigning and prioritizing work, conducting performance evaluations, supporting hiring and disciplinary actions, coordinating training, and fostering employee growth.
• Continuously improve operational efficiency by standardizing processes, evaluating programs, recommending improvements, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, and advising staff on construction and maintenance best practices.
• Assisting, developing, and managing the division budget by monitoring expenditures, approving purchases, reviewing contracts, and ensuring projects and operational needs remain within budget.
• Build and maintain effective partnerships with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, public agencies, and community members to coordinate projects and provide guidance on County requirements.
• Respond to emergency situations, including snow removal operations, and report to an assigned shop within one hour when called, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Supervise assigned staff by managing recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, leave, performance management, coaching, corrective actions, and communication of County policies and organizational goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! A true passion and excitement for making an impact is just as important as work experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in road construction, roadway maintenance, public works, transportation operations, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of hire, if applicable.
• NOTE: We accept an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public works, roadway maintenance, transportation operations, construction, or a related field.
• Experience leading multiple operational teams and supervisors, developing staff, and successfully leading organizational or operational change.
• Advanced knowledge of roadway maintenance, stormwater systems, pavement management, snow and ice operations, and construction practices.
• Experience managing operating and capital budgets, contracts, and capital improvement projects.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to public works operations and workplace safety.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with employees, contractors, engineers, government agencies, and the public.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively in emergency situations.
• Experience with asset management systems such as Cartegraph/OpenGov
• Experience with Workday or similar enterprise human resource systems.

Leadership Competencies

Successful candidates willdemonstratethe ability to:

• Foster trust and open communication by creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment where employees feel empowered to share ideas, ask questions, and raise concerns.
• Communicate clearly and transparently by sharing information ina timelyand honest manner, setting clear expectations, explaining decisions, and adapting communication styles to meet the needs of different audiences.
• Act with integrity and accountability by making ethical decisions, following through on commitments, applying expectations consistently, and taking responsibility for actions and outcomes.
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving by building strong working relationships, seeking input from others, managing conflict professionally, and working across teams to achieve shared goals.
• Develop and coach others by providing constructive feedback, supporting employee growth and learning, recognizing individual strengths, and helping team members build skills for current and future opportunities.

Additional Job Information:

• Offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of criminal history, motor vehicle report, education verification, and/or references for all positions.

Accommodations Statement:

We encourage people with disabilities to apply and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout our hiring process. For assistance with applications, interviews, or other hiring-related accommodations, contact [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot provide application status updates.