Engineering Technician

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Engineering Director or their designee, performs a variety of duties related to road and bridge design and construction, development evaluation and construction, permitting, and traffic engineering. Engineering Technicians collect survey information, draft plan sheets, and assist the Project Manager and the Engineering Director in preparing specifications for construction projects. Performs primary construction project oversight; monitors ongoing project activities to assure conformance to standards, plans, and specifications, directs and/or performs appropriate testing, gathers proper contract documentation, and prepares contractor pay estimates.  Operates land survey and traffic data collection equipment.  Responds to the public, maintains records, and performs other technical and administrative tasks associated with Department operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1.       Using field notes, topographic survey data, and standard specifications, draw proposed plans for contracted road or bridge improvements as directed.  Computes existing and proposed grades and calculates quantities for cost analyses.  Surveys, plans, and prepares drawings and specifications from which various Road Commission projects can be constructed.

 

2.       Conducts/leads a variety of engineering field studies relating to PASER ratings, pavement thickness, soils investigation, traffic volume, pavement markings, vehicle turning movements, culvert and storm sewer inventories, etc.  Maintains RoadSoft inventory databases for asset management analyses.

3.       Conducts/leads inspection activities for construction contract work and annual Road Commission system improvement programs to ensure that work meets standard specification, plan, and proposal requirements.  Plans, directs, and performs field sampling and testing of materials.  Performs and verifies construction project staking and ensures proper placement of work zone signing and traffic control devices.  Coordinates inspection functions with the contractor’s operations.  Advise the contractor concerning the suitability of materials and methods used.

4.       Measures, computes, and keeps records of materials used and work performed in the field.  Computes and compiles final quantities of construction work performed by contractors and prepares various reports.  Calculates pay estimates for road, bridge, and Road Commission system improvement programs.  Advises the contractor on material acceptance requirements and ensures compilation of proper project documentation.

5.       Works within/leads a survey crew in gathering topographic information, planning and designing field modifications, and laying out projects.  Uses conventional and electronic survey equipment and software as required to accomplish layout, staking, and grading direction for contractors and Road Commission crews.

6.       Performs minor repairs on Road Commission equipment and maintains equipment inventory.

7.       Responds to information requests and complaint calls from the public.  Coordinates follow-up with appropriate personnel and enters data into the computer database.  Answers inquiries and complaints from the public and mitigate complaints regarding construction, construction traffic control, and access problems.

8.       Performs office work such as filling out forms, keeping records, filing documents, and reproducing documents or drawings.  Tabulates measurements and field data, maintains related records, prepares support materials, diagrams, and prepares various written reports.

9.       Represents the Road Commission at pre-construction meetings and other project-related Committee meetings.  Provides information related to projects and performs various administrative tasks.

10.   Maintains and updates road certificates, maps, road inventories, etc.

11.   Attends a variety of workshops and seminars and reads periodicals and other related materials to stay current on new developments, techniques and methods.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Candidates who cannot perform some or all of these duties because of disabilities will nevertheless receive full consideration for the job based on their ability to perform essential functions.

Assisting other department heads as necessary.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Must adhere to departmental standards regarding HIPAA and other privacy issues.
During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in his/her job description.
The typical duties stated herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of personnel.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The following are required to enable jobholders to perform the essential functions of the job.

1.       SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE:

Ability to maintain current knowledge of road maintenance/construction practices.
Ability to deal with employees and the public tactfully and courteously.
2.       EDUCATION:

·         An Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Technology, or a related field, plus a minimum of 6 months of experience (applicable co-op and/or summer internship allowed) in construction inspection/methods, computer-aided drafting (CAD), land-surveying methods, traffic engineering or related fields;  OR High school diploma or equivalent plus minimum 4 years of experience as provided above.

·         Experience in road construction/maintenance operations is preferred.

·         Must have a valid Michigan Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

This position requires progressive proficiency in the use of computers and wi-fi enabled mobile devices, as well as word processing, spreadsheet, database, and various engineering software, including but not limited to the following:

Microsoft Office Programs [e.g. Word, Excel, Access]
Computer-aided drafting (CAD), [e.g. Bentley Microstation]
Road design platform(s) and electronic survey and GPS data collection and processing, [e.g. OpenRoads, RoadEng]
Project estimating [e.g. MERL]
Construction project data collection and administration software, [e.g. Mobile Inspector, FieldBook, FieldManager, AASHTOWare]
Project management software [e.g. ProjectWise]
Asset management database software [e.g. RoadSoft]
Specialty and proprietary Engineering Software for pavements, walls, hydraulics, etc [e.g. Hec-Ras, HY8]
(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.  The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

3.       OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Engineering Technician 1— minimum 3 certifications;

Engineering Technician 2— minimum 5 certifications;

·         Bituminous Testing

·         Bituminous Paving

·         Aggregate Testing

·         Density Control, including certification in an approved Nuclear Safety Program.

·         Concrete Testing

·         Work Zone Safety

·         SESC (Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control) or Storm Water Operator

·         Excavating Safety: Competent Person Training

·         Concrete Construction Inspector (ACI)

·         Concrete Paving and Structures (MDOT Inspection School)

·         Bridge Painting/Cleaning and Coating Structural Steel (MDOT)

·         Pavement, Signs and Markings (Levels I and II)

·         Construction of ADA Compliant Facilities

Must demonstrate increasing competency and have verifiable experience in each of the current versions of the following MDOT documents within the above required experience levels for the given grade:

·            MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction

·            MDOT Construction Manual

·            MDOT HMA Production Manual

·            Commonly used Michigan Test Methods

·            MDOT Road and Bridge Standard Plans

·            Density Control handbook

·            Procedures for Aggregate Inspection

·            MDOT Materials Quality Assurance Procedures Manual

·            MDOT Hot Mix Asphalt QC/QA Procedures Manual

This job cannot be adapted so that someone with difficulty reading or writing could fully meet job demands.

4.       PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements will still be considered fully qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

·         Ability to drive a road commission vehicle to inspect job progress.

·         Ability to utilize a computer to prepare reports and review statistical data on projects.

·         Ability to lift 50 pounds up to 3 feet high for up to 15 seconds in removing items from the county road system.

·         Ability to shovel items up to 25 pounds to a maximum height of 3 feet for up to 30 seconds to remove items from the roadway.

·         Sitting, walking, standing, bending and lifting/holding/carrying objects found in an office environment.

·         Walking, bending and twisting on pavement, dirt and other outdoor surfaces in various weather conditions.

·         Ability to communicate and respond to co-worker and customer inquiries both in person and over the phone.

·         Ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.

·         Ability to handle varied and often high levels of stress.

·         Ability to traverse projects to determine the acceptability of materials used and work progress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above.)

5.       VISUAL ACUITY, HEARING, SPEAKING:

Candidates whose disabilities make them unable to meet these requirements will still be considered fully qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Ability to speak clearly and audibly.
Ability to hear telephone communications and radio transmissions.

6.       WORKING CONDITIONS:

The typical work environment occurs in an office setting where sensory experience includes uniform temperatures, conversational noise and everyday office activities.
Frequently, the work environment occurs outside where exposure to temperature, weather conditions, allergens and loud noises are increased.
Hazardous environmental conditions may be encountered when on the job site reviewing road maintenance/construction operations.
NOTE:  The above description has been developed based on the guidelines as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).  Typical duties were identified through on-site analysis and confirmation from the employer.  This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.