PRINCIPAL ENGINEER STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

Code: 10471 State Competitive Range: R26 (FY 2027) Work week 4E: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $83,582.01 - $122,831.91/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 the Project Engineer, Structural Evaluation supervisees and/or performs the more complex work involved in the on-site condition evaluation and structural rating of bridges, prepares the more complex engineering analysis and cost estimates of repairing bridges and other structures; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Performs complex structural analysis based on engineering findings for bridges and related structures, with emphasis on structural rehabilitation for contract as required.
• Makes on-site engineering evaluations of conditions based on Federal Highway Administration, American Association State Highway and Transportation Office, and American Railroad Engineering Association standards and specifications on bridges and structures.
• Makes field investigations in emergency situations such as collision damage, fire damage and damages from other accidental causes. Makes recommendations for immediate remedial measures and long term actions necessary to sustain structure safety.
• Assists in developing, negotiating and administering County/State and consult/state highway and bridge survey agreements, contracts and other engineering projects including consultant monitoring, reviewing invoice, and project coordination.
• Reviews consultant condition evaluation contracts for accuracy and compliance with FHWA, and AREA regulations.
• May supervise the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises and coordinates National Bridge Inventory for State, counties, and special agencies and error cross checks for edit program, and to comply with special requests for retrieval of the information in National Bridge Inventory.
• Operates and Maintains Report Generator Program.
• Supervises and coordinates deck conditions and Fathometer Surveys, schedules personnel and equipment for these surveys. Advises the Project Engineer or the Supervising Engineer on the interpretation of the results.
• Assists County and Municipal engineers in planning county and municipal bridge condition evaluation programs for on-system and off-system bridges.
• Maintains a financial account of the National Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation program as mandated by the FHWA.
• Prepares cost and quantity estimates of contract items required for proposed bridge and structural repairs and rehabilitation.
• Coordinates review of bridges for additions of surfacing, barrier and/or other safety related improvements to ensure structure meets safety standards.
• Develops and maintains all essential records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Experience

Three (3) years of professional experience in structural evaluation and /or structural analysis work.

License

Appointees 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 principles, practices, equipment, and procedures of modern and past engineering and structural highway and railroad condition evaluation and appraisal, and their most effective use.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the Federal Highway Administration relating to the allocation of federal aid to state and local authorities as it relates to structural evaluation of engineering projects for bridge rehabilitation and repair.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures for modern highway design and the preparation of structural repair and rehabilitation plans and other construction plans.
• Knowledge of standards, specifications, policies, procedures, physical layout, regulations, and functions of the Department of Transportation after a period of training.
• Knowledge of social, economic, environmental, and safety engineering considerations.
• Knowledge of administrative and other problems encountered in supervising and directing work of an engineering office.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret standards, regulations, policies, specifications, and procedures of the FHWA, AREA, AAASHTO, and the Department of Transportation and apply them to specific engineering problems.
• Ability to determine priorities of repairs needed for use by the Bureau of Maintenance based on evaluation of existing condition of bridges and degree of interim and permanent repairs needed for bridges scheduled for major rehabilitation to assure continued public safety.
• Ability to supervise the work operations and/or functional programs to effectively recommend the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Ability to carry out complex structural analyses of new and old structures in various stages of deterioration, and to determine safe load capacities.
• Ability to prepare emergency rehabilitation drawings for the use of engineers and others.
• Ability to prepare cost and quantity estimates of rehabilitation projects for bridges and structures.
• Ability to review complex plans and technical bridge survey reports submitted by engineers, consultants, and other state agencies.
• Ability to check bridge and structural plans, contract drawings, contractor's working drawings, and shop drawings.
• Ability to work effectively and establish cooperative relationships with associates, municipal officials, and with those individuals, agencies, or others interested in or concerned with department projects.
• Ability to prepare engineering and other detailed reports containing findings, conclusions, and formal recommendations.
• 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.
• <b>NOTE: FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY</b>
• 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 ') 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.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

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.

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 Civil Engineering.

All appointees to positions in the Structural Evaluation Unit must meet the Bridge inspection Team Leader qualifications specified in the current version of 23 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations), Part 650, Subpart C, which is the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). These qualifications specify educational, bridge inspection experience and bridge inspection training requirements, some of which can be replaced by a PE license issued only by the State of New Jersey or a National Certification in Engineering Technologies (NCIET) Level III or IV Bridge Safety Inspector Certification.