02/24/2006 13530

MECHANICAL ENGINEER CONSULTANT

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional and consultative mechanical engineering work.

An employee in this job performs advanced developmental and consultative mechanical engineering work in support of the statewide public works engineering function or the statewide energy and sustainability programs. Work requires developing solutions to design or general construction problems, which require advanced or innovative mechanical engineering principles and methods. An employee in this job is a mechanical engineering expert, and serves as a project coordinator for construction projects contracted to professional, licensed engineers or designed in-house and is required to advise outside architectural consultants, construction managers, construction inspectors and agency officials on an ongoing basis for a wide range of complex construction projects. An employee is required to advise agency senior management on the effects of new technology or changes to existing policies and standards by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the engineering methods, practices and materials. An employee may be involved in conducting and evaluating research to revise engineering standards and to update engineering principles and techniques. 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 can be self-generated or provided with general instructions. Employees work independently within broad engineering and administrative guidelines. Work is reviewed by an engineering manager or program manager for overall effectiveness and satisfactory completion of objectives and goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Prepares or reviews plans, specifications and cost estimates designed by private professionals or in-house staff for technical soundness, economy and adherence to appropriate standards, regulations and codes.

Utilizes design parameters which would include compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for fire safety, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards for indoor air quality, and PA Uniform Construction Codes (UCC).

Reviews mechanical drawings, reports, catalog cuts, shop drawings, material samples, computations, and cost comparisons.

Conducts review conferences with design professionals and using agencies and discusses project scope, observations and conclusions.

Reviews the budget estimates and expenditures during the various stages of development to insure adequate funding.

Scrutinizes submissions and changes in construction through the various stages of design development and construction to insure compliance with good design practices, appropriate codes, Labor and Industry Standards, and Departmental guidelines on energy conservation, fire protection and budget constraints.

Provides technical advice on contract administration throughout the projects and during dispute resolution.

Performs mechanical engineering quality assurance for construction designs for internal water supply and heating, plumbing, ventilation, and other mechanical systems projects assigned by an engineering manager.

Conducts site inspections during construction to resolve complex mechanical engineering problems, as required.

Provides advanced technical and professional advice in the field of mechanical engineering for projects such as: automatic temperature controls of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; steam generation equipment plants; chiller systems; water distribution systems; automated fire protection sprinkler systems; and automated smoke evacuation systems at Commonwealth facilities.

Conducts studies into the feasibility of changing mechanical engineering procedures, methods, or standards in response to changes in technology, funding, and administrative policies.

Conducts investigations into mechanical engineering failures caused by unusual conditions or suspected faulty designs, and develops solutions or alternatives to resolve problems.

Reviews plans and specifications for construction projects that involve unusual or innovative approaches or significant safety and high profile concerns, and provides critiques and recommendations for changes.

Provides expert level consultation to business, industry, institutions and other government agencies on leading edge technologies in the areas of energy use, alternative energy sources and the application of emerging sustainable technologies.

Researches, or consults in research on, specific innovative mechanical engineering technologies, techniques and methods for application in Commonwealth projects, and planning, evaluating and monitoring their experimental implementation for potential application on a statewide basis.

Provides professional engineering and technical advice on new technology, techniques and methods in areas relating to the sustainable use of resources, including energy, as applied to the building and transportation sectors.

Meets with concerned officials, the public, and news media to explain engineering methods and practices as they relate to Commonwealth construction projects on a statewide basis.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of mechanical engineering, which may include automatic controls, codes and standards, dynamic systems, energy conversion and power plants, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, material behavior and processing, mass transfer, measurement and instrumentation, mechanical and machine design, refrigeration and HVAC, stress analysis and fatigue theory, statics and thermodynamics.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mechanical engineering pertaining to the development and review of contracted drawings and specifications for components and mechanical systems, for internal water supply and refrigeration, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and related mechanical systems.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of construction project management and contract administration.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of mechanical systems construction and construction inspection and testing.

Knowledge of the standard reference sources regarding the costs, principal applications and characteristics of materials, fixtures, and equipment used in the design and construction of mechanical engineering systems.

Knowledge of current developments in green building design.

Knowledge of building energy conservation projects.

Knowledge of electrical power generation, transmission and delivery systems, including current, alternative and sustainable power systems.

Ability to apply the principles and practices of mechanical engineering pertaining to the design or review of drawings and specifications for mechanical components and systems.

Ability to solve engineering problems by using algebra, plane and solid geometry, and plane trigonometry.

Ability to develop and review complex design drawings, details, and schedules; assemble specifications; and integrate project components into complex state-of-the-art mechanical engineering systems.

Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and standards that pertain to construction.

Ability to interpret complex architectural, electrical and structural engineering drawings and specifications as they relate to mechanical engineering systems.

Ability to interpret inspection and testing reports; and prepare investigative reports to insure conformance with project specifications.

Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, supervisors, consultants, contractors, government officials, and the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Two years as a Mechanical Engineer 2;

or

Four years of professional mechanical engineering experience which required work on any structural mechanical system.

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

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