SUPERVISING ENGINEER. FIELD SURVEY TRANSPORTATION

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 the direction of the Chief, Bureau of Surface Design, Department of Transportation, directs and supervises the work programs and staff of the Field Survey Unit, Division of Design; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Plans, controls and supervises the work programs, professional, technical and clerical staff and activities of the Field Survey Engineering Unit in all designated areas or regions of the State and the work of consultants in all Districts of the State.
• Collaborates, corresponds and cooperates with superior officers, engineers of the Federal Government, officials and engineer of the political sub-divisions of the State, public utility companies, consultants, property owners, and others to coordinate properly the field survey of highways of the State.
• Directs the field engineering of bridge surveys and location plans and coordinates these activities with those of the Bureau of Bridge Design or other divisions in the area of field survey.
• Supervises, direct and controls the preparation of studies of changes of plans and prepares preliminary cost estimates for alternative engineering schemes for construction.
• Addresses public meetings and service clubs on matters concerning highways and field survey.
• Informs the public and its officials about field surveys and advises them on how these will affect property values, historical structures and other matters.
• Gives appropriate assignments, supervision and instruction to each of the four area coordinators and provides them with the needed services, materials, and follow-up on field work performed.
• Investigates, reviews and makes comprehensive reports on contractors' claims, complaints of property owners, maintenance problems and complaints received from public officials and the traveling public.
• Organizes and coordinates assigned technical engineering and supervisory work.
• Devises appropriate work schedules and develops effective work methods for all Field Survey Bureau personnel.
• Prepares the annual budget request of the Bureau of Field Survey, including a written justification of each item, for the Director's approval, in the Multi-Year Program.
• Controls, recommends, and authorizes the purchase of equipment and supplies for use by the Field Survey Unit.
• Studies, analyzes and proposes new legislation pertinent to the Department of Transportation and its responsibilities.
• Initiates recommendations for the Field Survey unit regarding personnel actions, including employment, interviews, promotions, reclassifications, class specifications, new positions and disciplinary action and terminations.
• Manages the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Prepares and maintains the Field Survey unit organization charts in accordance with Department of Transportation standards.
• Periodically evaluates training needs and coordinates with the Training Section, Division of Personnel Services, all training programs for the Field Survey unit.
• Keeps superior officers fully informed of all unit activities.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with public agencies, general public, local government officials and with the representatives of public utilities in the interest of road and bridge construction.
• Together with the Division of Data Processing, develops new applications by integrating automation into the operation, in conjunction with the photogrammetry profession.
• Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Maintains technical liaison and coordination with the Federal Highway Administration.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate and informative engineering statistical, and other reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Maintains necessary records and files.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

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

Five years of highway engineering experience, two years of which shall have been in charge of a major phase of a highway design program.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of the standards, specifications, policies, procedures, physical layout regulations and functions of the Department of Transportation.
• Thorough knowledge of the economic, engineering, administrative, and other problems encountered in supervising and directing the work of an engineering office involved in the design of highways.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, equipment and procedures of modern highway engineering and their most effective use and adaptation to New Jersey highway problems, predominately in the area of field survey.
• Thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Federal Highway Administration relating to the provision of Federal Aid for highway purposes and their application to design projects.
• Thorough knowledge of office practice and procedure, modern highway design, and the preparation of highway construction plans.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret the standards, regulations, policies, specifications and procedures of the Department of Transportation and to apply them to specific highway design problems.
• Ability to devise sound operating procedures in formulating and carrying out plans for the effective use of personnel, equipment, materials and supplies within a District or work unit of the State, involving approximately 50 vehicles with technical surveying equipment and more than 200 personnel, including hired consultant engineering firms.
• Ability to coordinate the work of the unit with the other units of the Department and with the Federal Highway Administration.
• Ability to work effectively and establish cooperative relationships with associates, municipal officials and those individuals, agencies or others interested in highway planning projects.
• Ability to give talks before professional, civic, business and other groups concerning existing and proposed Department of Transportation projects.
• Ability to assign and instruct engineers and office personnel engaged on highway projects within a District or work unit limit and to supervise the performance of their work.
• Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of engineering and other detailed reports containing findings, conclusions and formal recommendations.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, plans 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 the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• <b>SPECIAL NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY</b>
• Individuals who do not meet the Engineering degree requirement as shown above may meet the educational requirement for this title if they have attained either of the following.
• 1. Education
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology from an accredited college having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
• OR
• 1. Education
• Completion of 45 semester hours (credits) of specialized college engineering education in an accredited college, vocational school, industrial area school or correspondence school. Acceptable specialized education includes: engineering, mathematics, chemistry, drafting, mechanics, and related engineering subjects meeting criteria established by the Department of Personnel.
• 2. Experience
• Three and one half years of full time experience in engineering related work.
• 3. Applicants who have more than the required 45 engineering related credits will be allowed to substitute additional major credits (on a prorated basis, 30 credits equaling one year of experience) for the required experience in accordance with criteria established by the Department of Personnel, up to a maximum of 2 - years.