The Office of the Director
The Office of the Director assists in carrying out the mission of Essex County by designing, managing, protecting, maintaining, and providing engineering services for county facilities, vehicles, and equipment. The Department of Public Works is comprised of the following four (4) Divisions:

The Division of Buildings and Grounds

The Division of Buildings and Grounds is responsible for operating, repairing and maintaining all County-owned buildings, with the exception of Park facilities. The Division provides technical and mechanical services necessary for the safe and efficient operation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems in all buildings. Additional responsibilities of this division include building maintenance functions and services such as housekeeping, pest control, locksmithing, carpentry, etc.

The Division of Engineering

The Office of the County Engineer provides professional engineering services, which include design, construction, construction inspection, bridge inventory and maintenance throughout Essex County. The Division of Engineering is responsible for the reconstruction and non-routine maintenance of approximately 215 miles of existing County roads, the planning and construction of new County roads as required, the operation and maintenance of 4 swing bridges over the Passaic River, the non-routine maintenance of 131 stationary bridges with spans of 20 feet or more and 230 culverts with spans of less than 20 feet, and the non-routine maintenance of 460 signalized intersections and about 30,000 traffic signs. The Division of Engineering is also responsible for performing all engineering services for all of the County’s 18 parks, five reservations and recreation facilities. The Division of Engineering also conducts the review of site plans and subdivisions submitted to the Essex County Planning Board. Site plans and subdivisions are reviewed for their traffic, drainage and roadway impacts on the County roads.

The Office of Planning operates under the auspices of the Division of Engineering. Necessary functions include the responsibility for long-range planning relating to the development and conservation of lands and resources in the County; this includes studies for: census, land use, traffic, and transportation facilities. Administrative functions within the Office of Planning include the taking of minutes of the Essex County Construction Board of Appeals, the Essex County Solid Waste Advisory Council, and the Essex County Transportation Advisory Board.

The Division of Roads and Transportation

The Division of Roads and Transportation is comprised of the Office of Fleet Management and the Office of Roads and Bridges. The Office of Fleet Management is responsible for providing safe, reliable and economical vehicles for use; as well as the maintenance and repair of those vehicles. The Office of Roads and Bridges, working in conjunction with the Office of Engineering, aides in providing safe, serviceable, and aesthetically pleasing roadways. This is accomplished through periodical street cleaning, leaf pick-ups, and general roadside maintenance.

The Division of Mosquito Control

The Division of Environmental Services has the primary responsibility to administer the Mosquito Control Program for Essex County. Utilizing an Integrated Pest Management Program, the Division provides a balanced approach to controlling the mosquito population in order to minimize the annoyance and threat of disease carried by this insect. A variety of equipment is utilized in the ongoing war with mosquitos. Essex County has added substantially to its fleet with the all-terrain vehicles, pick-up trucks, and right-hand drive jeeps. The State of New Jersey will provide a boat for river work and helicopters for larval control spaying. This effort will combat the West Nile Encephalitis viral disease that is a mosquito –borne infection.

Providing information to and educating the public about mosquito control is an important responsibility for the Division of Environmental Services. Literature is distributed to County residents, along with informational posters, and meetings with various citizen groups. During these speaking engagements, which are done at no cost to the inviting groups, slides are presented, and all aspects of the mosquito program are discussed. Please call the above telephone number to inquire about presentations to your group or organization.