County Highway Plans to Advertise Engineer Positions Amid Increased Road Work Demand

The Williams County Board of County Commissioners convened on June 3, 2025, to discuss staffing needs within the county's engineering and sheriff's departments. The meeting highlighted the necessity for additional personnel to manage the increasing volume of roadwork driven by community growth and the oil industry.

The primary focus was on the engineering department, where officials discussed the need to fill a CAD technician position. This role is crucial for creating technical drawings for road reconstruction projects. However, due to a shortage of qualified candidates, the board proposed an alternative approach. They plan to advertise for an "engineer in training" position, which would allow for the hiring of a recent graduate who may not yet have the experience to become a licensed professional engineer. This strategy aims to address immediate staffing needs while considering future hiring for the CAD technician role.

The board acknowledged the challenges of finding experienced candidates for the CAD technician position, as many new engineers are trained to perform these tasks themselves, leading to a decline in the availability of specialized technicians. The discussion included the possibility of hiring both positions if qualified applicants emerged, although this would require additional budget approval due to financial implications.

In addition to the engineering discussions, the meeting briefly touched on staffing needs within the sheriff's office, specifically regarding an accounting payroll clerk and a patrol deputy. The board sought input on how to proceed with these roles as well.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's commitment to adapting its workforce to meet the demands of a growing community and the associated infrastructure needs. Further discussions and decisions regarding staffing will continue as the board evaluates the best path forward.