JOB TITLE: CIVIL ENGINEER TRAINEE

JOB CODE: 11119

DEFINITION: This is structured trainee work in civil engineering.

An employee in this job receives formal and on-the-job training to develop proficiency in the application of knowledge and skill in civil engineering. Work involves assisting professional engineers in the design, construction, rehabilitation, operation, or maintenance of roads, bridges, buildings, facilities, and other infrastructure. Work includes identifying issues and developing solutions in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations, policies, and professional standards. Work also includes participating in various projects at different phases of design and construction to increase awareness of the scope of engineering work performed in the Commonwealth. Work is performed under the close supervision of professional engineers and is reviewed in progress and upon completion for technical accuracy and soundness of approach.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Participates in an on-the-job training program designed to develop practical proficiency in bridge engineering, transportation engineering, civil structural engineering, hydraulic engineering, or general civil engineering.

• Assists in the design, construction, rehabilitation, operation, or maintenance of roadways, bridges, buildings, flood control projects, mine reclamation projects, recreational structures and facilities, or other civil engineering projects.

• Assists in the inspection of subsurface conditions, geotechnical testing or sampling, and identification of soil and rock materials.

• Assists in the preparation and review of applications for permits, plans, or variances to determine if the proposed action conforms to engineering standards and federal and state laws and regulations.

• Assists in field inspections to determine the compliance status or operational efficiency of a permitted facility.

• Assists in contract administration, materials testing, geotechnical functions, quality assurance, and systems management.

• Assists in preparing plan details and specifications for foundations, slopes, drainage, and other technical related features.

• Assists in developing, assembling, and reviewing quantity calculations, itemized construction costs, estimates, and construction schedules.

• Assists in performing land surveys for highways and bridges in a transportation engineering environment.

• Assists in the preparation of construction plans and reports for roads, bridges, piles, footings, foundations, and other steel and concrete members necessary to support a design.

• Assists in performing bridge design duties and bridge inspections.

• Assists in the collection and analysis of survey and geotechnical data, environmental considerations, right-of-way property boundary information, and other preliminary engineering activities.

• Assists in right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation.

• Observes and participates in office and field maintenance activities in both the summer and winter periods, including managing funds, equipment, and manpower.

• Assists in traffic control studies pertaining to speed restrictions, passing areas, accident investigations, signalization, signing, or similar studies.

• Assists in the development of environmental documentation.

• Assists in conducting hydrologic and hydraulic studies and reports in conjunction with the planning or design of bridges, culverts, dams, levees, concrete channels, and other hydraulic structures.

• Assists in preparing feasibility studies for flood protection projects.

• Assists in conducting dam inspections and flood protection projects, including the preparation of reports and sketches to describe current conditions.

• Assists in conducting engineering reviews of erosion and sedimentation control plans submitted with applications for permits.

• Assists in reviewing designs for surface mine reclamation projects.

• Assists in evaluating the surface effects of subsidence resulting from underground mining.

• Assists in conducting civil engineering field and in-office engineering services in the survey, design, and evaluation of waterway related restoration projects.

• Assists in conducting facility and project inspections during construction and after completion to determine adherence to engineering design plans and specifications.

• Assists in coordinating and evaluating safety programs.

• Assists in the investigation of complaints directed toward a facility, operation, or landowner.

• Travels to various field sites.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering.

• Knowledge of the engineering principles and computer applications used in the development of drawings and specifications for components of civil engineering projects.

• Knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry and physics.

• Knowledge of linear algebra, analytical geometry, and plane trigonometry.

• Knowledge of differential calculus.

• Knowledge of fluid mechanics and hydraulics.

• Knowledge of statics and dynamics.

• Knowledge of soil mechanics and foundations.

• Knowledge of structural analysis and design.

• Knowledge of hydrologic systems and watershed processes.

• Knowledge of the engineering principles of construction cost estimating and construction inspection.

• Knowledge of plane and engineering surveying.

• Knowledge of engineering economics.

• Knowledge of materials science.

• Knowledge of geographic information systems.

• Ability to use computer software applications to perform engineering modeling and analyses.

• Ability to read and interpret inspection and testing reports, engineering drawings and specifications, and topographic and other maps.

• Ability to conduct technical investigations applying engineering principles and procedures.

• Ability to analyze and present technical data in clear, concise engineering reports.

• Ability to read and interpret federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and standards applicable to the design, construction, or evaluation of engineering projects.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field that includes or is supplemented by major coursework in civil engineering;

or

• One year of civil engineering experience and a valid Engineer-in-Training certificate issued by or acceptable to the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.