SENIOR ENGINEER TRANSPORTATION

Code: 10273 State Competitive Range: P23 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $72,896.47 - $106,798.07/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a Principal Engineer, Transportation, or other supervisor in the (A) Construction Maintenance Service, (B) Design Service, or (C) Traffic and Local Road Design, Department of Transportation, takes the lead in or performs independent work in the complex engineering phases of surveys, studies, designs, investigations, construction, or inspections of transportation systems and appurtenances; does related work as required.

Examples of work

GENERAL: Performs independent assignments on the more difficult field and/or office engineering work and gives professional guidance to subordinate personnel in the performance of their work. Confers with engineers from other divisions and bureaus of the department, counties, municipalities, and federal agencies concerning mutual engineering problems related to transportation systems and recommends the steps necessary for coordination. Analyzes and interprets plans and specifications. Prepares details for engineering and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains records pertaining to the administration and operation of assigned projects. As a lead worker, provides on the job guidance and training for new or subordinate personnel. Prepares and interprets computer data related to individual engineering projects. Assists in the development of and/or develops inhouse engineering oriented programming. Utilizes computer applications in engineering problem solving. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system used by the agency, office, or related units. CONSTRUCTION-MAINTENANCE SERVICE Supervises the inspection of medium sized contracts involving transportation facilities and associated utilities. Inspects the equipment, supplies, and materials used by the contractor for compliance with plans and specifications. Develops field engineering details involved in the more difficult changes in plans, as-built quantities, and associated estimates. Prepares daily, weekly, and monthly reports of the phases of completed construction and materials received and used for a project. Makes detailed investigations of complaints and inquiries from property owners, citizens, and public officials. Working either alone or as the supervisor of a group of highway construction inspectors and/or Assistant Engineers, Transportation, makes physical inspections of the materials, workmanship, and general conformity to plans and specifications concerning road, rail, and bridge construction. Makes field measurements of materials incorporated in the work. Prepares estimates of quantity from field measurements or from contract plan or shop drawing takeoffs. Prepares highway maintenance contract drawings, plans, and specifications involving studies, design, calculations, and estimates on the more difficult maintenance projects. May supervise the work of field and office forces in the various types of surveys, studies, and inspections related to highway and bridge maintenance projects. Prepares plans and/or programs for handling emergency operations such as snow and ice control. Investigates the appropriateness of new materials, methods, and equipment suitable for use in maintenance programs and sets up test sections for field application when desirable. Develops procedures for and makes indepth inspections of construction projects for acceptance by the regional engineer. Develops quality, quantity, and performance standards for maintenance. DESIGN SERVICES May supervise field parties involved in various types of surveys and construction work. Prepares contract drawings, construction plans and specifications, and ROW, drainage, utility facilities, and geometric plans. Prepares preliminary design studies and calculations of alignment, grades, and plan quantities on the more difficult projects. Prepares as-built plans and final estimates upon completion of contracts and performs work involved in keeping the standard design sheet up to date. Participates in the preparation of engineer's estimates of cost and calculations for interchange designs. Plots field notes, prepares utility maps and deeds, and title information for right of way plans. Studies and plans the use of public utility structures relating to transportation construction. In cooperation with the Engineering Computer Bureau, participates in the preparation of engineering programs designed to solve specialized engineering problems. TRAFFIC AND LOCAL ROAD DESIGN Inspects the more difficult construction, maintenance, and repair work on county and municipal roads and bridges where State Aid and federal aid secondary funds are involved. Provides engineering advice to county and municipal engineers and officials in solving the exceptional problems encountered in the development of construction plans and specifications and of traffic engineering studies. Gives appropriate assignments and instructions to field inspection forces or office engineering personnel and may supervise the performance of their work. Reviews and evaluates data relating to traffic engineering studies. Reviews contract drawings, preliminary designs, estimates, calculations, as-built plans, and change in plans and may supervise engineers and inspectors in their application and interpretation of such designs and plans. Coordinates state aid and federal aid secondary activities between local government officials, federal, and other state department agencies in solving highway problem areas encountered.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Possession of a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Experience

Two (2) years of engineering experience in the survey, design, inspection, construction, and/or maintenance of highways and bridges or related work.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of engineering mathematics. Knowledge of the application of computer programming after a period of training. Knowledge of the purposes, policies, programs, procedures, and standards of the department after a period of training. Knowledge of the engineering problems arising in the design, construction, and maintenance of highways, railroads, and highway and rail appurtenances. Knowledge of the proper use of surveying instruments and of the organization and activities of a field survey party. Knowledge of the form, content, and preparation of construction plans, of the techniques used in preparing detailed maps and charts, and of approved inspection techniques. Knowledge of the procedures to be used in sampling and checking construction materials and in checking lines, grades, and dimensions. Knowledge of the capabilities and applications of computers in engineering situations and projects. Ability to organize technical field and office engineering work, analyze engineering problems of varied types, and develop appropriate work methods. Ability to apply sound engineering principles and techniques in plans, designs, charts, maps, specifications, and estimates, and to reduce and plot field notes. Ability to prepare solutions for difficult engineering and design problems. Ability to make physical inspections to work done by outside engineers and by others. Ability to interpret plans and specifications, check lines and grades, make difficult engineering and mathematical computations, and review and check calculations made by others. Ability to take the lead in field survey parties. Ability to make and supervise inspection of work under construction and/or maintenance and prepare detailed reports. Ability to work cooperatively with associates, superior officers, contractors, outside engineers, and others. Ability to give appropriate assignments and instructions to Assistant Engineers, Transportation and to subprofessional and other employees in the office and in the field and to supervise the performance of their work. Ability to prepare realistic and sound cost, personnel, materials, time, and other estimates and records. Ability to prepare technically sound, accurate, and informative engineering, cost, and other reports of state transportation matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to plan and undertake the collection and analysis of engineering data for computer processing and to read and interpret the results. Ability to prepare and maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY Employees hired by the Department of Transportation on or before July 1, 1999, who do not possess the Bachelor¿s degree listed above, may substitute education and experience as indicated below to meet the education requirements: EDUCATION: An Associate's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology. OR Completion of forty-five (45) semester hour credits of specialized college level/non-remedial engineering education from an accredited college in an engineering or engineering technology program. Acceptable specialized education must include a minimum of 24 credits in Engineering/Engineering Science and a minimum of 21 credits in general science and higher-level math courses. Information regarding acceptable courses may be obtained from DOT/Human Resources. You must attach a copy of your transcript(s) to your application. Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service. Failure to do so will result in rejection from the examination process. AND Three and one half (3 ½) years of full time experience in engineering related work. Applicants who have more than the required forty-five (45) engineering related credits may substitute additional credits for the required experience on a pro-rated basis, thirty (30) credits equaling one (1) year of experience, up to a maximum of two and one half (2 1/2) years. CODE: P23- MER 07/18/09

Note

A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) in a field related to civil engineering from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) meets the above education requirement. A Master's degree in Civil or Transportation Engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience.