Job Summary
To acquire the required permits, right of way, and environmental approvals necessary for highway construction projects. 

Supervision Received 
Employees working in this job class work under general direction and are usually in charge of an organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with considerable independence, and have some latitude in developing procedures and methods. They report to a superior by occasional conferences to discuss work progress or problems requiring upper advisement.  

Supervision Exercised  
Serves as a work leader and is partially accountable for the work product of the engineering technicians. Elements of direct control over these positions include assigning tasks, monitoring progress and work flow, checking the product for timeliness and correctness or soundness, and providing input into supervisor’s actions.  

Essential Functions 
This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance is an essential requirement of this position.

1.    Coordinates environmental review and permitting of road and bridge construction projects. Prepares project memos, stormwater pollution prevention plans, environmental and governmental permit applications. Hires consultants for pre-demolition inspections and archaeological studies. 
2.    Acquires right of way easements for road and bridge construction projects. Coordinates the preparation of legal descriptions and documents for the acquisition of right of way easements. Obtains and reviews title searches and independent land appraisals. Meets with property owners to negotiate right of way acquisition. Processes right of way payments to property owners. Coordinates with the County Attorney’s Office during eminent domain proceedings. Records documents for right of way acquisition with the County Recorder. Coordinates working on the Mn/DOT Right of Way.
3.    Works with the general public regarding right of way inquiries, general questions, and inquiries complaints.
4.    Attends conferences and continuing education courses as needed.

•    Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or two year Civil Technical degree with five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  

Notary public commission required within 3 months of hire, issued by the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Must have the ability to obtain and maintain required Mn/DOT technical certifications following hire. 

Valid Minnesota driver’s license required. Employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:  
1.    County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices to safely and effectively accomplish the needs of the department.
2.    The procedures of road construction projects especially in the preliminary phase with respect to the practices of permitting and acquiring Right of Way.
3.    Environmental and historical preservation laws and how they pertain to road construction projects.
4.    General computer operation and computer aided drafting systems. 

Skills in:
1.    Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with staff and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
2.    Organizing and prioritizing work.
3.    Computer skills and typing sufficient to complete 30 net words per minute without errors.
4.    Reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently. Good writing and communication skills are required for report preparation and various regulatory applications and governmental liaisons.

Ability to:
1.    Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers, supervisor, and subordinates with respect, honesty, and consideration. 
2.    Multi-task, tolerate interruptions of work flow, and be comfortable with handling conflict. 
3.    Work well with others and communicate effectively with contractors to make sure they are doing the job according to specifications, regulators in acquiring permits and negotiating variances, fellow employees to maintain a good working environment, and the general public, especially in Right of Way acquisition negotiations. 
4.    Travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary. 

Language Skills 
High Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills  
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and 
fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. 

Reasoning Skills 
High Skills – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using the following software.  
                                 
County Payroll Software E-time, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Webfusion, and Internet.

Ability to Travel
Regular travel is required, mostly within the county.  

Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, analytical, design, problem solving, project management, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork, change management, delegation, leadership, quality management, business acumen, cost consciousness, diversity, organizational support, judgment, motivation, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality, quantity, adaptability, initiative, strategic thinking, visionary leadership, and innovation.


Work Environment
The noise level in the office is usually moderate.

Work will vary between outdoor and indoor settings depending on the job function being performed.  Indoor work will involve sitting in front of a computer for prolonged periods.  Outdoor work will involve working in swamps, thick underbrush, and forested areas in the proximity of wood ticks, mosquitoes, flies, bees, and other insects. Outdoor work will frequently involve working on public roads in the presence of traffic.
Equipment and Tools
Computer, copier, fax, telephone, printer, drafting supplies, construction calculators, metering and measuring devices,  county-owned vehicles, and personal vehicle (requires proof of insurance on file).

Soils lab testing equipment: sieve shakers, scales, splitters, ovens, slump cones, air meters, and dynamic cone penetrometers.

Physical Activities/Requirements
Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, use of fingers, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Must have the ability to lift and/or carry up to 70 pounds.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs light to medium work, exerting up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Manual dexterity and motor coordination are required for the variety of jobs performed

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free and alcohol-free workplace.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Aitkin County reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice
The County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

4/21/2021

Our Vision: We strive to be a county of safe, vibrant communities that place value on good stewardship of local resources.

Our Mission: Aitkin County’s mission is to provide outstanding service in a fiscally responsible manner through innovation and collaboration with respect for all.

Our Core Values: Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, People-Focused, Professionalism