Job Description
The county highway superintendent is responsible for the overall management of the county's highway system. The county highway system does not include the maintenance of streets within the municipalities of Miller, Ree Heights, Saint Lawrence or the small portion of Wessington which lies within Hand County. The county system also does not include the state or US highways.
Hand County has 39 organized townships and 1 unorganized township. The county does have one unorganized township which the county highway department does provide road maintenance and snow removal for.
Organized townships maintain their own roadways, but some bridge structures fall within the jurisdiction of the county.
The county highway superintendent, under the supervision of the county commission, provides administrative oversite of the highway department and the road and bridge fund's long term debt. The superintendent also currently oversees the Rural Access Infrastructure Grant program so long as funding is available.
The highway department operates on four 10-hour days unless demands are such that the week must be altered. The superintendent is also responsible for those 40 hours plus whatever time is needed in addition thereto to complete work projects and administration.
The highway superintended wage is currently paid $5,337.83 per months for annual earnings of $64,054.
Benefits available to county employees:
- Avera health insurance. Employee receives paid coverage. Family plans are not compensated.
- Shared "The Standard" dental and vision plans.
- Group life insurance with voluntary additional options.
- Paid Time Off (includes sick, annual and funeral leave).
- South Dakota Retirement System (6% employee with 6% employer match).
- Supplemental Insurances available.
- Longevity Bonus pay after five years of employment.
Recommended skills or abilities:
- Class A Commercial Driver's License.
- Must have a valid South Dakota Driver's License.
- Highschool diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
- No SR22 (high risk insurance) requirement.
- Bonded or bondable.
- Windows based computer programs.
- Effective communicator with commissioners, township officials, engineers, other transportation officials and during educational gatherings.
- Financial planning and execution.
- Basic mechanics, equipment operation and techniques.
- Basic methods of road construction, maintenance and design.
- Passage of a criminal, civil and social background check.
Timeline:
- The position was announced in March with hopes of locating applicants between April and June of 2025 so the prospective applicant can work for a month with the current superintendent for a month.
Residency:
- Hand County requires their full-time employees to live within the confines of Hand County and within a reasonable distance of Miller so that superintend is available upon short notice.
Process:
- Complete an application. A resume may also be sent but an application will still need to be completed.