Street Maintenance Sub-Foreman DPW

City of Detroit; Michigan; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Detroit is seeking a Street Maintenance Sub-Foreman to supervise street and sidewalk construction or repair crews under the Department of Public Works. The role includes oversight of traffic controls, safety practices, and coordination of materials and tasks on project sites.

The position requires a High School diploma or GED with preference given to candidates with one year of related construction maintenance experience and the ability to lead crews in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or GED.
• Preferable one year of experience in construction, maintenance and repair of roadway, concrete curb and sidewalk, safety zones, and/or street sweeping and cleaning.

Responsibilities

• Supervise large or moderate-size crews on alley, street, or sidewalk construction or repair.
• Inspect work locations and examine work plans; assign tasks and monitor materials and progress.
• Ensure safe operation of mechanical equipment; report problems and progress to supervisor.
• Estimate time requirements and maintain records of materials used and work completed.
• Lead environmental enhancement activities such as grass cutting and street cleaning.

Skills

Lead work crews

Traffic controls

Plans and specifications

Worker safety standards

Record keeping

Effective communication

Emergency paving problems

Tact with public/subordinates

Education

High School diploma 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.

1. Inspects work at irregular intervals.
2. Assists in supervising a large crew or moderate size crew.
3. Checks daily work schedule.
4. Checks trucks to see that proper tools and supplies are available.
5. Inspects work locations and examines work plans.
6. Estimates time requirements following accepted methods best suited to each problem.
7. Assigns tasks to workers, records amount of materials used and amount of work done.
8. Observes employees at work, ensuring effective and safe practices of mechanical equipment.
9. Report to superior problems encountered, work progress, materials used and performance of workers.
10. 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