Job Description

Posted on: Oct 22, 2025
Posted by: Athabasca County
Summary
Reporting to the Public Works Manager, this role is responsible for planning and implementation of the County's Gravel Roads within the approved budget. The Gravel Roads Foreman responds to concerns raised and inspects the condition of roads, including rideability, slope, crown, gravel condition and areas of surface type transitions. The Foreman will also respond to concerns raised regarding winter snow clearing efforts.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibility Areas:
Leadership:

• Leads staffing, provides ongoing direction and coaching.
• Develops training plans and regularly evaluates performance.
• Fosters an environment of innovation and encourages continuous improvement.
• Supports the County's Health & Safety program, leads by example, identifies hazards, provides training, and required personal protective equipment to staff members.

Road Maintenance:

• Inspects and completes spot checks on County gravel roads; checking driving surface, road shoulders, and ditches.
• Inspects and assesses gravel roads to determine maintenance requirements and makes recommendations for road rehabilitation in collaboration with Infrastructure construction.
• Responds to ratepayer feedback by inspecting road conditions in areas of concern and determining next steps.
• Assigns Grader Operators to areas (beats) for regular up-keep and maintenance.
• Works with the Grader Operators, to identify optimal Grader routing for summer maintenance and winter snow clearing, according to County road maintenance polices.
• Hires contractors and assigns to areas for regular up-keep and maintenance.
• Coordinates with other County staff on projects that coincide with gravel roads (e.g. mowing, dust suppression).
• Trains/and or instructs operators to follow safety procedures, ensuring proper signage is visible on areas under maintenance.
• Inspects cattleguards and hire contractors to repair/clean.
• Monitors culverts and ditches for proper drainage and reports any concerns.
• Educates staff and contractors on health and safety requirements.

Gravel Program:

• Oversees the year round (all season) gravel program including mapping, hiring contractors and road use requirements.
• Collaborates with other supervisory staff to confirm an adequate supply of gravel is available for maintenance work.
• Collaborates with other supervisory staff to determine the quality of the aggregate applied for maintenance and rehabilitation of roads.
• Coordinates the hauling and application requirements for gravel being assigned to County roads.
• Tender out the supply of aggregate to required stockpiles and storage locations.
• Tender out the annual gravel crushing in municipal gravel pits.

Financial Management and Operational Planning:

• Provides input into the Department's annual operating and capital budget information and costing.
• Monitors costs, staff schedule and overtime and reports on budget variances.
• Assesses the staff, contractors, equipment, and vehicle requirements to meet annual projects.
• Updates and prepares reports and/or information for Director to update Council; may be required to attend Council update meetings as required.
• Undertake semi annual staff performance reviews.

Projects and Assignments

• Assists other staff at the site and provides cover-off for other staff

Requirements

• High school diploma (required).
• C.E.T. (Civil Engineering Technologist) diploma or equivalent (asset).
• Alberta Public Works Association Supervisor Level I, II and III certifications (asset).
• Will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Social Human Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Customer Service
• Oral / Written Communication
• Conflict Resolution / Management

Technical Skills

• Word Processing
• Database Administration
• Decision Making
• Organizing and Planning
• Project Management
• GPS/GIS experience (asset)

Leadership Skills

• People Development
• Managing Change
• Financial Management
• Team Work

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in road construction and maintenance (preferred)
• Experience operating a grader (asset)
• Experience supervising employees and working with contracted resources (asset)
• Familiarity with requirements of Occupational Health & Safety legislation and best practices (asset)
• Experience in a municipality (asset)
• Experience working with municipal governments (asset)

Skills Required