Special Assistant (Finance)

OVERVIEW

The Office of Transportation and Highways is looking for a Special Assistant- Department of Transportation and Highways to assist the Superintendent in the overall management of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways operations; as well as the development of policies and/or programs necessary to ensure that Bureaus/Departments under the jurisdiction of the Superintendent effectively and efficiently meet their respective goals and objectives.

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 o 2nd largest county in America o Larger than 27 states

Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades. o Nearly 80% unionized workforce o 15 unions represented o 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 motorist, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclist.

ROLE SUMMARY

Assist the Superintendent in the overall management of the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways operations; as well as the development of policies and/or programs necessary to ensure that Bureaus/Departments under the jurisdiction of the Superintendent effectively and efficiently meet their respective goals and objectives. Reviews confidential reports and managerial studies in order to make appropriate recommendations to the Superintendent. Works with the Superintendent in concert with the Cook County Board of Commissioners, various municipality officials; as well as the Cook County Bureaus/Departments under the President's Office. Has access to the Superintendent on a regular and ongoing basis and is privy to a wide variety of confidential matters. Has extensive knowledge of the County's policies and procedures in general and the Highway Department in particular. Assist with intergovernmental issues within the County. Reviews the Department's Budget with the Superintendent. Monitors various projects to ensure all Bureaus/Departments under the Superintendent have the necessary resources to perform their respective functions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Reviews confidential reports and managerial studies as they relate to personnel and/or administrative services of the Department of Transportation and Highways, in order to make appropriate recommendations to the Superintendent. Oversees the activities of the Personnel and Fiscal Management and Administrative Services Divisions as it interacts with the Department's under the President (i.e. Auditor, Purchasing, Chief Financial Officer, Comptroller, Human Resources, Budget and Risk Management). Ascertains and/or accesses "best practices" in order to construct appropriate policies and procedures for the Highway Department as it strives to improve its management and engineering mandates. Reports directly to the Superintendent to discuss ongoing and proposed projects, policies and/or procedures which are relative to Engineering, Transportation and Planning, Fiscal Management and Administrative Services operations of the department, as well as its broad personnel and contractual activities. Oversees the management activities of the Administrative and Fiscal Management Bureau which encompasses the following

Divisions: Fiscal Management; Engineering Computer; Payroll, Personnel Administration and Technical Reproduction. Oversees the Administrative operations of the Contract Documents Office, which is responsible for the following activities: Coordinating and compiling all pertinent documentation necessary, including design and construction for the roadway and maintenance bidding process; the distribution of contract bid data to prospective bidders on highway road and maintenance improvements; preparation, proofing and issuance of all legal advertisement to the printed news media, Illinois Department of Transportation, trade associations and the construction industry; and acts as the coordinating arm between the Cook County Board of Commissioners, and the Clerk of the Board. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Broad understanding and familiarity with labor relations issues, human resources policies and procedures, related Federal, State and local laws and statutes, and the ability to compose and develop reports and budgets, financial projections and the performance of statistical analysis. Provide assistance to the Superintendent in the evaluation of monthly status reports and performance measures from various divisions within the Department of Transportation and Highways. Thorough knowledge of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration policies and procedures. Familiarity with the Construction, Design, Transportation and Planning and Maintenance Bureaus within the Department of Transportation and Highways, as well as Right-of-Way and permitting procedures. Ability to ascertain and ensure the Department of Transportation and Highways compliance with the laws, ordinances and regulations governing the fiscal management of public funds. Ability to effectively communicate with engineering staff and other technical personnel in those matters related to the Department of Transportation and Highways affairs. Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, concepts and methods, including but not limited to income statements, general flow of funds and statement of changes in financial position. Knowledge of the coordination and compiling of all the pertinent documentation that is necessary for the roadway and maintenance bidding process. Skill in supervising and directing the activities of professional, technical and other support personnel engaged in a variety of highway activities, as well as developing policies, programs and procedures relative to large-scale projects, especially in connection with Departmental goals and objectives. Skill in coordinating multiple projects effectively and simultaneously and providing effective managerial and administrative direction in several highway areas, such as maps, graphics, and technical reproduction, so as to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, PLUS a minimum of three (3) years' work-related experience in the public sector and/or management OR, an equivalent combination of professional work experience, training and education. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in public administration, business administration, labor relations, human resources or civil engineering.

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.