Lead Geotechnical Engineer(Soils and Foundations Section)

Introduction

Do you want to be part of a great team of engineers who are shaping the future of Transportation in Connecticut? 

If so, read below and apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is now accepting applications for a Lead Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Engineer 3- Engineering) opportunity within the Soils and Foundations section in the Division of Bridges at our Headquarters in Newington, CT. 

WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Competitive starting salary *MOU pg.21*
• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Join an award-winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!

We also offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria, and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at our Newington, CT, Headquarters facility.  All DOT facilities have ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• First Shift
• Full Time, 40 hours per week.
• Monday through Friday.
• Location: Newington, CT.
• Hybrid (in-office/telework) and alternate work schedules may be available.

THE ROLE

The DOT has a challenging opening for a lead engineer involved inall aspects of geotechnical engineering matters related to transportationfacilities and projects.

Engineers in the Soils and Foundations unit provide design andreview services on matters related to soil, rock, and foundations for theplanning, design, construction, and maintenance of roads, bridges, andtransportation facilities. Responsibilities include:

·subsurface exploration programs to characterizesubsurface conditions,

·determination of representative samples forsoil and rock laboratory testing,

·interpretation of results from laboratorytesting,

·selection/design of the most appropriatefoundations for structures,

·preparation of geotechnical reports and othertechnical documents,

·reviewing geotechnical work prepared byconsultant engineering firms,

·providing technical support to Maintenancepersonnel involving rock slopes and roadway instability,

·providing specialized engineering supportduring construction involving review of working drawing submissions, responsesto Requests for Information (RFI’s) and responses to Requests for Change(RFC’s).

APPLICATION DETAILSApplicants must beavailable to travel for training, conferences, meetings, field reviews, etc.both within and outside of normal working hours, when necessary, and mustpossess and retain a valid driver’s license.

Please list your Driver's licensenumber, expiration date, and issuing State, Professional Engineer (PE) licensenumber and expiration date, if applicable, and any other job-relevant licensesor certifications you hold in the Licenses and Professional Certificationssection of your application.

ABOUT US

As one of Connecticut's largest Stateagencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in fivebureaus. It is the DOT's mission to improve quality of life throughtransportation. We have a significant transportation infrastructure system thatis essential to maintaining mobility for Connecticut residents and businessesand supporting economic and community development while preservingenvironmental and cultural resources. The Department of Transportation iscommitted to cultivating a diverse staff that is representative of thecommunities we serve. Applications from individuals having diverse backgroundsand life experiences are strongly encouraged.

Learn more about our mission, vison,and values by clicking here!

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!

Selection Plan

• This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

To Apply:

• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the Talent Acquisition Professional listed on this job posting.
  
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

• Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply.

Important Information After You Apply:

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
  

Connect With Us:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Anamaria Giangarra at Anamaria.giangarra@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for acting as a working lead who assists a supervisor in supervising a designated group of employees and/or for performing the most complex engineering or related tasks in one or more aspects of engineering projects or studies in the areas of administration, bridge design, design, drainage, electrical, foundations, hydraulics, maintenance, operations, pavement management, regulation compliance, rehabilitation, research, traffic or utilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Oversees work of lower level engineers and performs complex design work; 
• Designs difficult foundations and bridges of advanced design; 
• Makes field inspection of bridge sites to obtain information necessary for design of important structures; 
• Oversees field inspection of structural condition of existing structures and preparation of sketches, plans and recommendations for adequate repair; 
• Acts as liaison between towns and state as consulting engineer in repair of bridges; 
• Oversees and conducts research on materials incorporated in bridges, highways, and miscellaneous structures and maintenance and construction methods in field; 
• Oversees state and consultant engineers in review of storm sewer and culvert designs and computations prepared by Design division and contracting engineers for watersheds of 650 acres and less; 
• Provides technical advice to Design division and District Engineers on pollution control measures and unusual storm sewer and culvert designs; 
• Prepares computations for storm sewer and culvert designs; 
• Attends field reviews on all new designs for highway projects; 
• Recommends revisions to improve drainage design; 
• Oversees laboratory work on soil samples for determination of void ratio, water content, specific gravity, grain size distribution, plasticity limits, permeability, optimum moisture content, confined and unconfined compressive strength, direct shear and consolidation; 
• Prepares detailed geotechnical reports and recommendations; 
• Oversees analyses, computations, preparation of plans and data relating to hydraulic problems encountered in planning and design of highways; 
• Performs hydrographic analysis and flood routing for retention basin designs; 
• Serves as expert witness in court cases; 
• Reviews drainage design on major permit applications for shopping centers and housing developments; 
• Assists in preparation and updating of Drainage Manual; 
• Oversees engineers, electricians and technicians in design or maintenance of extensive highway lighting, traffic light installations and computerized traffic control systems; 
• Performs complex work in preparation of plans, specifications and estimated cost of electrical contracts and work; 
• Oversees inspection of electrical construction and maintenance work and preparation of monthly and final estimates; 
• Coordinates preliminary surveys and planning of engineering requirements for construction and maintenance of electrical installations with state utilities; 
• Assists in coordination of work of design engineers with consulting engineers in preparation of plans to determine contract documents; 
• Recommends need for test, alterations, revision of replacement of equipment associated with highway lighting, traffic lights, drawbridges, and highway buildings; 
• Acts as consultant to district forces and other state agencies; 
• Oversees consultant engineers in the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates of bridges and structural improvement, construction and reconstruction of highways and construction or reconstruction of transportation facilities; 
• Recommends treatment of alignment, grade, surface and drainage features; 
• Makes project reports and analyzes comparative routes for economy, feasibility and utility; 
• Oversees activities of engineers and technical assistants engaged in review and processing of major traffic generator studies, highway traffic engineering investigations, surveys, design and research; 
• Reviews reports from investigators and subordinates; 
• Prepares final reports and recommendations applying to traffic signs, signals, markings, control devices, illumination, channelization, detour and route designations; 
• Represents department in state, town, public meetings; 
• Oversees and reviews plans, specifications and cost estimates for adjustment of relocation of public utilities in conflict with design and layout of construction for purpose of establishing their engineering adequacy; 
• Determines extent to which state shall reimburse utility companies for costs incurred; 
• Prepares and reviews agreements governing terms involved; 
• Represents state in negotiations with Federal Highway Administration for reimbursement of funds to state; 
• Confers with consulting, engineers, corporate, municipal planners, departmental personnel and others involved in coordinating utility adjustments with highway reconstruction work; 
• Advises departmental auditors on acceptability of credits offered or claims for payment made; 
• Conducts field and office investigations of engineering, technical or other problems and prepares reports for higher level employees; 
• Analyzes problems and recommends effective solutions; 
• Assists in establishment of policy, procedures and methods; 
• Represents department in legislative matters; 
• Assists in development and review of department contracts; 
• Performs related duties as required.

WORKING LEAD LEVEL:  

• As assigned by the supervisor distributes, prioritizes, oversees and reviews unit work; 
• Provides staff training and assistance; 
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; 
• Acts as liaison with operating units, agencies, consultant staffs and other outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures; 
• Recommends policies and standards; 
• Prepares reports and correspondence; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • principles and practices involved in transportation engineering such as bridge design, foundations, highway design, transportation facilities design, transportation planning, maintenance, drainage or hydraulics, research, pavement design, pavement management and traffic; 
  • operational methodologies and established policies;
• Knowledge of administrative and financial controls with respect to transportation engineering plans, contracts, projects and reports; 
• Considerable
  • analytical, problem solving and technical report development skills; 
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communication skills; 
• Considerable ability to interpret and apply principles of information systems and technologies; 
• Ability to analyze plans and estimates; 
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor’s degree in engineering and three (3) years of experience in transportation engineering.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the working level in a professional transportation engineering capacity. 

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Transportation Engineer 2 (Engineering).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Possession of Professional Engineer (PE) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S.§20-302 may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree requirement.
• Possession of Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S.§20-302 may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A Master’s degree in engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
• Current incumbents in the class of Transportation Engineer 2 (Engineering) who do not possess the degree or certification/licensure qualifications as detailed on this class specification may be considered for promotion to Transportation Engineer 3 (Engineering) upon having three (3) years of experience in transportation engineering. One (1) of the three (3) years' must have been as a Transportation Engineer 2 (Engineering).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in Civil Engineering with course work relevant to the field of geotechnical engineering.
• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) and/or Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Experience supervising, evaluating and developing improved performance of junior engineers.
• Experience preparing subsurface exploration programs.
• Experience preparing complex Geotechnical Reports and other documents for structure foundations and roadways.
• Experience reading plans and interpreting engineering reports related to geotechnical engineering, including scour/hydraulic analyses, bridge safety inspection reports, rehabilitation study reports, structure type study reports, etc.
• Experience reviewing complex Geotechnical Reports prepared by consultants for structure foundations and roadways.
• Experience involving standard test procedures of physical properties of soil and rock, interpreting the test results and applying the results to DOT projects.
• Experience involving design and construction of multiple foundation types including spread footings, driven piles, micropiles, drilled shafts and underpinning.
• Experience involving design and construction of multiple retaining wall types including gravity walls, semi-gravity walls, cantilever walls, soldier pile and lagging walls, soil nail walls, secant walls and MSE walls. 
• Experience involving geotechnical support during construction involving review of working drawings, preparing responses to Requests for Information (RFI's) and preparing responses to Requests for Change (RFC's) and providing recommendations for construction related issues. 
• Experience preparing special provisions applicable to geotechnical issues. 
• Experience using Office365, Bentley MicroStation or OpenRoads, Microsoft SharePoint and COMPASS.
• Experience in project organization and document control.
• Experience analyzing problems and recommending effective solutions for geotechnical related issues.
• Experience demonstrating effective verbal, written and communication skills.
• Experience leading people and managing tasks, including influencing staff in higher level positions, to achieve common goals.
• Experience working independently, being self-motivated and taking ownership of assignments. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from highway or construction environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.