SUPERVISING ENGINEER, STRUCTURAL EVALUATION

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 Chief, Bureau of Structural Investigation, Evaluation and Rating, Department of Transportation, directs and supervises work programs and staff of a Structural Evaluation Unit of Design Services; does other related duties.

Examples of work

Plans, organizes, and controls work programs for assigned structural evaluation units composed of engineers and engineering aides of varied grades. Supervises implementation of National Bridge Inspection Standards as mandated by the federal government. Determines need for hiring consultants to supplement existing staff and maintain federally mandated inspection schedules. Directs the onsite, in-depth inspections of the condition and evaluation of state owned highway and railroad structures. Directs, administers, and monitors the development, negotiation, and processing of all consultant highway and railroad structural bridge survey agreements. Reviews, accepts, or rejects the work of consultants under agreement. Determines priorities and degree of repairs for Bureau of Maintenance use especially on bridges scheduled for major rehabilitation. Supervises the retrieval of all structural inventory and appraisal sheets for all highway bridges in the state from the various owners, and directs the review, correction, and submission of same to the FHWA. Supervises the use and maintenance of the Report Generator Computer Program to allow agencies to retrieve various correct data on bridges within the state. Supervises the development of priorities for bridge replacement and rehabilitation lists. Recommends posting and closing of bridges based on engineering survey reports and develops policy for same. Develops work programs and evaluation procedures necessary to complete work assignments and projects including establishing systems for reporting highway and railroad evaluation costs and analyses. Assists in the preparation and coordination of the bureau project programming and budget for each fiscal year. Resolves conflicts between competing needs (such as environmental versus traffic growth) in negotiation and advisory efforts with new or expanded state and federal agencies, local municipalities, and the public at interest. Resolves conflicts between state, local, county, and special agencies and federal agencies with regard to bridge ownership with the public at interest. Makes engineering determinations that take into account the details of diversified factors of consideration which include social, economic, safety, and environmental aspects. Supervises the structural analysis of all highway and railroad bridges in New Jersey. Develops evaluation and analysis standards and specifications for all New Jersey Department of Transportation, county, and other agency highway and railroad bridges. Directs the training and development of unit leaders and, in collaboration with appropriate units, develops new applications integrating automation into the operation in conjunction with utilization of available programs for other sources. Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates. Recommends the purchase of specialized evaluation equipment such as fathometers, ultrasonic thickness gauges, electronic timber moisture detectors, and steel crack detectors (ultrasonic, mechanical, and platform trucks, Condor trucks, and so forth). Is responsible for providing training on, and calibrating and maintaining the above hand equipment. Supervises the performance of specialized testing of bridges such as bridge deck condition surveys and fathometer studies. Recommends creation of and utilizes and updates new and existing structural evaluation computer programs, and trains subordinates in same. Supervises the development of new engineering methods to remain abreast of current developments in the profession. Establishes reporting systems for measuring production output of various staff engineering crews. Supervises the input to cost estimate data retention. Supervises the maintenance of a complex, technical, and extensive filing system on engineering drawings, bridge inspections photos, and bridge inspection survey reports. Prepares reports on item, personnel, cost, and work progress. Supervises the maintenance of 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

Five (5) years of structural engineering experience including at least two (2) years in charge of a large scale structural evaluation program.

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 social, economic, environmental, and safety engineering considerations. Knowledge of administrative and other problems encountered in supervising and directing work of an engineering office. Knowledge of standards, specifications, policies, procedures, physical layout, regulations, and functions of the Department of Transportation after a period of training. 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 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 evaluate and establish priorities for the bridge replacement and rehabilitation list based on engineering condition evaluation. 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 supervise the work of consultants hired to perform structural bridge evaluations. Ability to interpret complex calculations and reports, and to make qualified recommendations of postings and closings of bridges. Ability to devise sound operating procedures in formulating and carrying out plans for the effective use of personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies within the work unit. Ability to coordinate work programs of the unit with other associated units including counties, municipalities, FHWA, and other authorities and agencies. 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 supervise the preparation of engineering and other detailed reports containing findings, conclusions, and formal recommendations. Ability to assign and administer the instruction of engineers and office personnel engaged in projects, and supervises the performance of their work. Ability to prepare correspondence in the course of official duties. Ability to supervise the establishment and maintenance of essential records, reports, 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 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 course. 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 that 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 ½) years. CODES: 30/S31 - MER 7/18/09

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. NOTE: 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. Appointees to the 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 from the State of New Jersey (only) or a National Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) Level III or IV Bridge Safety Inspector certification.