TOWN OF BECKET - HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT

The Town of Becket is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Highway Superintendent. The annual salary range is $80,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience. The Town of Becket has a population of approximately 1,900 year round residents with a significant second home population.  The Town has approximately 30 miles of gravel roads and overall road mileage of 60.

 Applicants must possess the advanced knowledge, skills, ability and progressive experience necessary to serve as the town’s highway superintendent.  Requirements include a high school diploma, Minimum CDL Class B and Class 2B Hoisting licenses and seven years of progressively responsible experience or preferably a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, or related field; and five years of progressively responsible experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.  Supervisory experience at the level of general foreman or above is preferred.

Send resume, including at least three reference names with cover letter to Office of Town Administrator, 557 Main Street, Becket, MA 01223, or via administrator@townofbecket.org, or click apply.

The Town of Becket is an AA/EOE.

Statement of Duties

Position is responsible for planning, supervising, and coordinating the operations of the town’s highway, tree warden activites, and transfer station activities.  The Superintendent supervises engineering, construction, and maintenance programs for the department.  Work includes ensuring for the efficient and effective use of equipment and personnel, developing and administering budgets, policies and procedures, ensuring for the safety of employees and the public, responding to personnel management issues, preparing and administering grants,  and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to department and division operations.

 Supervision

 Employee works under the administrative direction of the Town Administrator, working from municipal policies and objectives.  Employee establishes long and short-range plans and objectives, personal performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results.  Employee consults with the Town Administrator only where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required.  Employee develops and implements departmental policies, goals, objectives, and budgets, resolves all conflicts, which arise, and coordinates with others as necessary.  Employee has access to confidential personnel files, lawsuits, and records of the department.

 Position is responsible for the supervision of full-time employees, and part-time employees.  Employee recommends the hiring and firing of employees and is responsible for the discipline and evaluation of employees.  Employees perform work out in the field most of the day.  The nature of work and volume fluctuate due to the season, new projects, and emergencies.  Some events can be planned for in advance, others cannot.  Employee is required to work outside of normal business hours as needed, and is on call at all times to respond to emergencies and provide supervision.

 Job Environment

Position is responsible for managing functions and processes such as planning, organizing, controlling, coordinating, and evaluating activities and projects for the Highway Department.  Employee uses extensive judgment and ingenuity to interpret and apply administrative or organizational policies, general principals, legislation, or directives that pertain to the Highway Department.  Employee is required to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of the guidelines or policies. 

Errors could result in personal and public injury/loss, delay or loss of service, monetary loss, injury to other employees, damage to buildings and equipment, and/or legal repercussions.

 The position has frequent contact with the public in person, in writing and on the telephone, to provide information regarding department services, issue permits, respond to inquiries and requests, and resolve problems.  Other contacts are with other town departments, state and county agencies, vendors, and outside organizations, in person, in writing, via e-mail, and on the phone.  The purpose for contact is to coordinate work, resolve problems, apply for grants, and purchase materials and services.

 Position Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration 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 work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

             Essential Functions

• Responsible for the overall management and operation of the Highway Department projects, personnel, and equipment.
• Develops and implements department budget, responds to personnel issues, oversees and authorizes and submits department payroll and expenses.
• Plans for, supervises and works with crews in the construction and maintenance of approved public works projects or projects required by emergencies.
• Contracts for, or performs engineering studies and plans for departmental projects.
• Determines specifications for projects and may negotiate contracts for major town public works projects.  Inspects progress and approves costs.
• Orders and stocks necessary supplies and materials to support departmental activities; reviews invoices, and submits payments.
• Prepares a variety of records and documents as required for the purchasing of goods and services, advertising of bids and proposals, and administration of contracts for department projects.
• Ensures that public roadways and safety systems are properly maintained.
• Acts as Pest Control and Town Tree Warden providing for the removal of trees, trimming, planting, and pest control and related surveillance programs.
• Oversees the operation of the town’s transfer station, including budget, personnel, reporting to the state, and contracting services.
• Attends and participates in various meetings of Highway Associations, Select Board, Conservation, Planning Board, Special and Annual Town Meetings, and the Regional Planning Commission.
• Performs administrative duties, Issues various permits, and performs public relations duties as required.
• Prepares and supervises the administration of grants.
• Ensures that department equipment and facilities are properly maintained.
• Performs similar or related duties as required.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Employee works in a moderately loud office and outdoors on loud construction sites.  Employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions, and near moving mechanical parts up to 2/3rd of the time; fume or airborne particles, extremes of heat and cold, risk of electric shock, work with explosives, irate individuals, dangerous driving conditions, and risk of radiation up to 1/3rd of the time.  Employee is required to sit, talk/listen, and use hands up to 2/3rd of the time; stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach with hands and arms, and smell up to 1/3rd of the time.  Employee frequently lifts up to 10 lbs., and occasionally lifts up to or more than 100 lbs.  Normal vision is required for the position.  Equipment operated includes trucks in excess of 26,001 lbs., light trucks, automobile, heavy equipment, light equipment, pneumatic tools, power tools, hand tools, welding equipment, office machines and computers.

     Education and Experience

A candidate for this position should have a College Degree or Master Craftsman's level of knowledge, and at least seven-ten- (7-10) years of experience in construction and/or excavation, and five- (5) years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

     Special Requirements

A candidate for this position must possess a valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License with air brake endorsement, and Class 2-A hydraulic license and possess a DOT physical certificate.  Employee must undergo a pre-employment physical and drug and alcohol test. 

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A candidate for this position should have knowledge of the following:

• Construction practices and principles including the operation, maintenance and repair of roadways and drainage systems
• Conservation Laws as they apply department activities
• Administration of budgets and grants
• Safety precautions and related guidelines

Skill in:

• Preparing and presenting financial information
• Public speaking and written and oral communication
• Assessing situations and resolving problems

 And ability to:

• Provide positive leadership and motivation to departmental employees
• Perform administration functions
• Read blueprints and plans
• Write grants, proposals, and bid specifications
• Deal with disgruntled citizens in a tactful manner