Street Maintenance Sub-Foreman DPW

City of Detroit; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit's Department of Public Works is seeking a Street Maintenance Sub-Foreman to supervise crews engaged in alley, street and sidewalk construction or repair, and to oversee environmental enhancement activities including grass cutting and street cleaning. Requires a high school diploma or GED and preferably one year of related experience in roadway/construction maintenance.

The role emphasizes safety, plans interpretation, and coordination with foremen, with opportunity to lead a crew

Qualifications

• Methods of construction.
• Traffic controls for street/highway construction and maintenance.
• Plans and specifications.
• Worker safety standards.
• Keeping simple records and making reports.
• Tact in dealing with subordinates and the public.
• Resourcefulness in solving unusual or emergency paving problems.

Responsibilities

• Inspects work at irregular intervals.
• Assists in supervising a large crew or moderate size crew.
• Checks daily work schedule.
• Checks trucks to see that proper tools and supplies are available.
• Inspects work locations and examines work plans.
• Estimates time requirements following accepted methods best suited to each problem.
• Assigns tasks to workers, records amount of materials used and amount of work done.
• Observes employees at work, ensuring effective and safe practices of mechanical equipment.
• Reports to superior problems encountered, work progress, materials used and performance of workers.
• Performs difficult skilled or hazardous tasks requiring emergency attention, as required, in absence of foreman or as part of a training period taking charge of a new crew.

Skills

Methods of construction

Traffic controls

Plans and specifications

Worker safety standards

Record keeping

Tact and communication

Lead work crews

Emergency response awareness

Education

High School Graduation or GED

Job description

STREET MAINTENANCE SUB-FOREMAN

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Under general supervision, assists in the supervision of large crews or to supervise moderate size crews of persons engaged in alley, street or sidewalk construction or repair activities; oversees street environmental enhancement activities such as grass cutting and cleaning of freeway berms and street cleaning activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspects work at irregular intervals.
• Assists in supervising a large crew or moderate size crew.
• Checks daily work schedule.
• Checks trucks to see that proper tools and supplies are available.
• Inspects work locations and examines work plans.
• Estimates time requirements following accepted methods best suited to each problem.
• Assigns tasks to workers, records amount of materials used and amount of work done.
• Observes employees at work, ensuring effective and safe practices of mechanical equipment.
• Report to superior problems encountered, work progress, materials used and performance of workers.
• Performs difficult skilled or hazardous tasks requiring emergency attention, as required, in absence of foreman or as part of a training period taking charge of a new crew.

High School graduation or G.E.D.

Preferable one year of experience in the construction, maintenance and repair of roadway, concrete curb and sidewalk, safety zones, and/or street sweeping and cleaning.

Evaluation Plan

• Computerized Exam 70%
• Interview P/F%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience and Personal Qualifications (T.E.P.) 30%
• Total Computerized Assessment, Interview and Evaluation of T.E.P: 100%Additional points may be awarded for:
• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit: 15 points

LRD: 08/01/2026

Licensing and Certifications

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Methods of construction.
• Traffic controls for street/highway construction and maintenance
• Plans and specifications.
• Worker safety standards.
• Keeping simple records and making reports.
• Tact in dealing with subordinates and the public
• Resourcefulness in solving unusual or emergency paving problems.
• Hazardous tasks, or those requiring emergency attention.
• Listening and communicating tactfully
• Understand and work from plans and specifications
• Lead work crews in construction and street repair activities
• Lead work crews involved in environmental enhancement activities such as grass cutting and cleaning of freeway berms, street sweeping, and street cleaning activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Candidates considered for placement in this classification may be subject to a Criminal Background Investigation based on the requirements of the position.