Description
The Department of Transportation and Highways seeks a Bureau Chief - Construction to function as Chief Engineer of the Construction Bureau for the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. Plans, formulates, executes and supervises the activities and operations of five (5) divisions including Construction Office; Material Testing; and three (3) Supervising Engineers' Divisions; encompassing professional, technical or paraprofessional support staff. Under the direction of the Superintendent of the Department of Transportation and Highways, formulates and implements all bureau policies and procedures; determines and develops long-range planning strategies.
Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.
WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?
In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:
- Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
- Flexible Teleworking Options
- Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
- Pension Plan
- Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
- Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.
SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY
- Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
- 2nd largest county in America
- Larger than 27 states
- Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
- Nearly 80% unionized workforce
- 15 unions represented
- 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
- Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
- Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
- Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
LOCATION
Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.
ROLE SUMMARY
Functions as Chief Engineer of the Construction Bureau for the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. Plans, formulates, executes and supervises the activities and operations of five (5) divisions including Construction Office; Material Testing; and three (3) Supervising Engineers' Divisions; encompassing professional, technical or paraprofessional support staff. Responsible for construction supervision of all projects on county and township roads and highway maintenance facilities; provides engineering and inspection services to ensure standard specifications and provisions are met. Compiles, prepares and submits the annual Construction Plan for the County. Under the direction of the Superintendent of the Department of Transportation and Highways, formulates and implements all bureau policies and procedures; determines and develops long-range planning strategies. Confers regularly and in a confidential manner with the Superintendent of the Department of Transportation and Highways in all matters pertinent to the above including problematic assignment, consultant and personnel issues which may arise.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Executes, administers and coordinates the construction of all highway improvement projects on Cook County and township roadways.
- Conducts meetings with utility companies, state and federal highway agencies, contractors and local authorities to organize relevant activities relative to ongoing construction projects.
- Oversees and handles all confidential personnel issues including performance evaluations, recommendations on promotions, and disciplinary actions. Confers with Supervisor of Employment relative to job postings for available positions; interviews job applicants and recommends candidates.
- Interviews and recommends contractors who provide construction services for highway projects; negotiates contracts, reviews and evaluates contractor's performance and approves invoices for payment. Ensures projects meet deadlines.
- Develops and recommends goals and long-range planning strategies for the Construction Bureau relative to the Department of Transportation and Highways five (5) year plan on projects and to the department's overall mission and objectives; confers and advises the Superintendent of the Department of Transportation and Highways on the implementation of policies and procedures for the Bureau. Prepares and submits budget appropriations for the Construction Bureau.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Thorough knowledge of generally accepted highway engineering procedures and methods; County, State, Federal Highway policies, programs, regulations and requirements relative to highway construction.
- Knowledge of the operations and functions of the Construction Bureau Divisions.
- Ability to administer a variety of highly technical and managerial functions, coordinating diverse engineering efforts to assure the timely and efficient completion of projects; ability to exercise sound engineering judgment in the formulation and execution of plans in the Highway Construction area.
- Possession of advanced supervisory skills acquired through exposure to a wide variety of management problems. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form. Ability to direct, motivate and supervise subordinates through to completion of work assignments.
- Ability to analyze, prioritize and handle a large number of projects and problems effectively under stressful conditions and time constraints.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduation with a Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited program in Civil Engineering as listed in the most recent Accredited Board of Engineering and Technology Annual Report.
- Current registration in the State of Illinois as a Licensed Professional Engineer/Licensed Structural Engineer.
- A minimum of three (3) years’ full-time work experience as a Highway Engineer or related field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited engineering program.
- Five (5) years management experience in the highway or related field.
- Prior supervisory or managerial work experience.
Physical Requirements
Light Work
Light Work involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job/occupation is rated Light Work when it requires: (1) walking or standing to a significant degree; (2) sitting most of the time while pushing or pulling arm or leg controls; or (3) working at a production rate pace while constantly pushing or pulling materials even though the weight of the materials is negligible.
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
EMPLOYMENT TERMS
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.
