Salary: $38.79 - $42.11 Hourly
Location : Rusk County Highway Department, WI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 10009-07-2025
Department: Highway
Opening Date: 07/23/2025
Closing Date: 8/6/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description Rusk County is seeking a knowledgeable, forward-thinking, and results-driven leader to serve as its next Highway Commissioner. This statutory, management-level position (per Wis. Stat. §83.01) is responsible for overseeing the operations, planning, and strategic direction of the Highway Department. The Highway Commissioner will manage all facets of department administration-including budgeting, project planning, personnel supervision, intergovernmental coordination, and infrastructure maintenance-while ensuring the safe and efficient development and preservation of the county's roadways. This is a key leadership role that works closely with the Highway Committee, County Board, local municipalities, and state and federal agencies to support the county's transportation infrastructure and long-term capital improvement goals.
Examples of DutiesThe following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.- Plan, coordinate and administer a safety-oriented county highway program.
- Develop departmental administrative and operating policies, practices and procedures within the framework of the statutes, resolutions, or other decisions of the county board and the highway committee.
- Prepare or supervise the preparation of the county highway annual budget.
- Direct departmental accounting and reporting activity according to prescribed federal, state and local requirements.
- Plan and direct an effective maintenance program for all county and state roads within the county.
- Direct a program for the optimum utilization of departmental personnel, funds and material.
- Plan and coordinate departmental purchasing as required by county policy, practices and procedures.
- Coordinate department activities and the highway program with other governmental units within the county and state as prescribed by the county board and the statutes.
- Direct and review the planning, design, construction and maintenance of highways, highway structures and appurtenances such as signals, signs, guard rails, lighting, etc.
- Direct the making and compiling of cost estimates for improvement of county roads and maintenance services needed to preserve the county's investment and provide safe highway facilities to the public.
- Provide and maintain an inventory of all county highway department material and tools, their proper care, usage, maintenance, repair and storage.
- Work with town boards and officers and representatives of state and federal government.
- Maintain a cooperative and effective indiscriminative working relationship among employees of the county highway department.
- Responsible for appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems in coordination with Administrative Coordinator and Human Resources.
- Manage a comprehensive 5-year county highway construction and maintenance program by
- Collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.
- Preparing work programs based on the information.
- Preparing and managing an annual budget.
- Managing equipment and personnel.
- Manage County Highway Improvement Program (CHIP), Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) and Town Road Improvement Program (TRIP).
- Seek additional funding for capital improvement projects from federal and state funding programs.
- Seek Highway Committee approval on all significant projects and expenditures.
- Respond to public inquiries, complaints and news media.
- Cooperate, advise and collaborate with township officials, board members, and state and federal transportation agency representatives regarding department activities, funding issues, regulatory requirements and labor issues.
- Attend County Board, local municipality, and committee meetings, as needed, and make recommendations regarding project activities
Typical Qualifications - Five years recent comparable progressive administrative, executive supervisory experience and planning experience in highway construction and maintenance; or graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Civil Engineering or Construction Management with additional course work in business, management or accounting and three years of the experience mentioned above.
- Comfortable with Microsoft Office Suite, navigating the internet, and ability to learn other Highway Operations software applications.
- Required possession of a valid Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Operators License with a good driving record.
- Knowledge of the efficient procedures of all highway operations including the hot mix plant, paving, maintenance shop, gravel pits, and the crushing operation to ensure effective use and economic return to the County.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget administration.
- Ability to supervise the preparation and review the plans and specifications for road and highway projects.
- Ability to supervise the work of a variety of employee classifications.
- Ability to address the civic groups, public meetings, clubs and other county departments and local government officials.
- Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, other department heads, employees and the public.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering with application to road, highway and bridge design, construction and maintenance.
Supplemental InformationPhysical Requirements
This job typically entails minimal physical demands of those found in an office environment, with occasional exposure to workplace hazards. Some lifting, moving, bending, and twisting.
Work Environment
This position operates in a dynamic environment that includes a mix of office duties and occasional field or site-based work. While the majority of work is performed in a comfortable indoor setting, some tasks may involve moderate physical activity or brief exposure to outdoor elements and varying conditions.
EOE / ADA Statement
Rusk County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rusk County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Selection Guidelines
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
To see a summary of benefits offered to Full-time employees, review our
