Engineering Assistant I, II, III- CC HQ

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties for Engineering Assistant I:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation. 
• Applies engineering principles, methods and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities.
• Assists during emergencies and inclement weather. 
• Assists with contract administration for construction and maintenance projects to ensure contractor compliance. 
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs research and problem solving of engineering-related problems.
• Performs traffic barricade inspections, identifies problems and assists with resolution of traffic control plans.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Essential Duties for Engineering Assistant II: (In addition to the above):

• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.
• Assists in training less experienced engineering assistants, specialists and/or technicians.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Creates detailed PS&E
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering-related duties in the field of transportation engineering.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities.
• Performs research and problem solving of engineering-related problems.
• Performs traffic analysis and data collection.
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Reviews/designs and details bridge and structural elements.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.

Engineering Assistant III (In addition to the above):

• Trains less experienced engineering assistants, specialists and technicians
• May serve as a lead worker and the related tasks.
• Prepares drawings and exhibits to support public involvement.
• Reviews engineering work for calculation errors and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and industry
  standards and guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: 

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS at time of hire.

Acceptable Substitutions for all levels:

• Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
• Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Experience: 

• Engineering Assistant I:   None 

• Engineering Assistant II:  1 year of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).  No supervisory experience required.

• Engineering Assistant III:  2 years of Engineering related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).  No supervisory experience required. Passing Professional Engineer (PE) exam prior to obtaining requisite experience for gaining PE licensure may substitute for two (2) years of engineering related work experience

Licenses and Certifications: 

• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Safety Impact Certificate
• Engineering Assistant II, III: Texas Engineer in Training Certificate (EIT)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Has passed the FE exam   

Competencies for Engineering Assistant I:

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Engineering designs
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
• Plan review methods, processes and procedures
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
• Environmental protection and assessment methods/practices

Engineering Assistant II (In addition to the above): 

• Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Application of engineering fundamentals
• Advanced and specialized design/drafting
• Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology
• Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints and maps
• Collecting, sorting and compiling data

Engineering Assistant III (In addition to the above):

• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
• Highway construction and maintenance
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry and geometry
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others
• Research and analysis methodologies

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: 

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs

Conditions of Employment: 

Please read the Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT) for all positions.

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical. 
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.