01/26/2007

CIVIL ENGINEER CONSULTANT

B – Bridges 1116B
G – General 1116G
H – Hydraulic 1116H
S – Structural 1116S
T – Transportation 1116T

DEFINITION:

This is advanced professional and consultative civil engineering work.

An employee in this job performs analytical, developmental, evaluative, and consultant work in support of an engineering function such as complex bridge and roadway quality assurance design review, bridge and roadway systems development, consultant agreement review, negotiation and approval, grade crossing review and coordination with the Public Utility Commission (PUC), flood protection projects, geological engineering liaison, geotechnical design review and construction inspection, structural control evaluation and problem resolution; plans, organizes and directs the review of construction and maintenance methods utilized by district and county maintenance personnel; or advises agency senior management concerning the advantages, disadvantages, and effects of utilizing new technology, or changing engineering and materials standards. In any civil engineering environment, employees in this job are involved in developing solutions to design or construction problems which require advanced or innovative application of civil engineering principles. These employees are recognized agency or discipline experts and are typically located in Central Office. Employees are required to take professional responsibility for their own work products and may be directed to assume responsible charge for unlicensed employees within the work unit. Assignments are received with little or no technical instructions and employees proceed with independence in working out the details and organization necessary to complete projects. Work requires the independent selection of courses of action and the resolution of problems within the framework of broad engineering and administrative guidelines. General program guidance is normally provided to engineers, technicians, and/or inspectors. Work is reviewed by an administrative or technical supervisor for overall effectiveness and satisfactory completion of assigned projects.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

In a transportation engineering environment, performs quality assurance for bridge and highway design for an assigned region of Engineering Districts from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Central Office.

In a transportation engineering environment, performs engineering reviews associated with rail highway crossings approval requests and their coordination with the PUC from the DOT Central Office.

In a transportation engineering environment, plans, organizes, and performs engineering related systems support for the bridge and roadway management program operations from the DOT Central Office.

In a transportation engineering environment, performs duties associated with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of consultant engineering agreements and the review and payment of invoices to consultants for an assigned region of Engineering Districts from the DOT Central Office.

In a transportation engineering environment, performs geotechnical engineering geological or geotextile liaison functions from the DOT Central Office.

In a transportation engineering environment, provides geotechnical consultation and oversight for an assigned portion of the state from the DOT Central Office; prepares, reviews, and approves complex subsurface profiles; approves geotechnical parameters used for design; approves geotechnical designs of structure foundations for walls, embankments, and bridges; and provides consultation for a variety of geotechnical related construction problems.

In a transportation engineering environment, performs maintenance planning and organization for an assigned region of counties within an Engineering District.

In a civil structural engineering environment, provides consultative advice to administrative and managerial staff, design and engineering professionals, and outside concerned officials and the public by informing them of contract interpretation, explaining technical information on materials and procedures, and clarifying engineering concepts and practices.

In a hydraulic engineering environment, conducts studies into the feasibility of changing hydraulic engineering operation procedures, processes, or standards in response to changes in technology, administrative direction, or funding.

In any civil engineering environment, conducts investigations into engineering failures caused by unusual environmental conditions, natural hazards or suspected faulty design and develops solutions or alternatives to resolve the problem.

In a hydraulic engineering environment, provides advice to administrative and managerial officials, consultants and local government officials as a technical professional expert in the field of hydraulic engineering.

Travels to field sites in remote locations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

ALL PARENTHETICALS (GENERAL AND TRANSPORTATION)

Knowledge of the engineering principles and practices applied in the planning, design, and construction of civil engineering projects.

Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of construction cost estimating.

Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of natural and manufactured materials used in construction.

Knowledge of basic chemistry and physics.

Knowledge of calculus through differential equations.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of plane surveying.

Knowledge of engineering surveying.

Knowledge of soils and materials engineering.

Knowledge of soil mechanics, design and testing.

Skill in the operation of all standard surveying instruments.

Skill in reading and interpreting drawings and specifications and codes used in the design or construction of buildings and related structures.

Ability to interpret soil profiles, maps, and construction plans.

Ability to perform all the algebraic and trigonometric computations applied to engineering surveying and design operations.

Ability to prepare, interpret, and utilize civil engineering plans, maps, specifications, and reports.

Ability to speak effectively in public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, public officials, and contractor employees.

Ability to travel to field sites in remote locations.

BRIDGES PARENTHETICAL

Knowledge of the principles and practices applicable to the design and construction of bridges, concrete structures, steel structures, pre-stressed and reinforced concrete structures, and foundations.

Knowledge of the principles and practices applicable to the testing of materials and assemblies used in the construction of bridges and other structures.

Knowledge of the primary engineering reference works and other sources of engineering data used in the design and construction of bridges and other structures.

HYDRAULIC PARENTHETICAL

Knowledge of the principles of civil engineering pertaining to the development of drawings and specifications for components of such hydraulic structures as dams, weirs, concrete walls and channels, compacted earth levees, natural channel design and other similar structures.

Knowledge of the principles of hydraulics and hydrology used in the determination of runoff, backwater curves, anticipated stream flow, and ground water characteristics.

Knowledge of the standard reference sources used to determine the nature and characteristics of watershed areas, flood plains, river basins, and similar elements affecting engineering decisions of a hydraulic nature.

Knowledge of the standard reference sources regarding the costs, principle applications, and characteristics of materials and equipment used in the construction of hydraulic structures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices applicable to the determination and analysis of phreatic surfaces within earthen dams, and the assessment and remediation of seepage problems.

Skill in reading and interpreting civil engineering drawings and specifications, topographic, geologic, and other maps used in the design or construction of hydraulic structures such as dams, weirs, concrete walls and channels, compacted earth levees, natural channel design and other similar structures.

Skill in applying the principles and practices of civil engineering pertaining to the design and/or review of drawings and specifications for hydraulic structures.

Skill in reading and analyzing reports of field studies, inspections, and tests performed in connection with hydraulic or hydrologic projects to determine the extent and nature of problems encountered and to recommend solutions.

Skill in applying the principles of hydraulics and hydrology used in the determination of runoff, backwater curves, anticipated stream flow and groundwater characteristics.

CIVIL STRUCTURAL PARENTHETICAL

Knowledge of the principles and practices of building and life support systems construction.

Knowledge of the principles of civil engineering pertaining to the development of structural drawings and specifications including the use of various types of materials, i.e. steel, reinforced concrete, and timber.

Knowledge of the standard reference sources regarding the costs, principle applications, and characteristics of materials and equipment used in structural construction.

Skill in applying the principles and practices of civil and structural engineering pertaining to the design and review of civil and structural drawings and specifications for projects such as hospitals, educational facilities and office buildings.

Skill in solving civil and structural design problems involving calculus through differential equations.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Four years of professional civil engineering experience which includes three years in the appropriate specialty.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

Certain positions will require possession of a valid driver’s license.

POST EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT:

For the Bridges and Transportation parentheticals, successful candidates with an out of state Professional Engineer license will be required to produce a valid Professional Engineer license issued by Pennsylvania within their initial six month probationary period.