CIVIL ENGINEER V - CONSTRUCTION FIELD ENGINEER - IPR#46116

Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for the direct supervision of a staff of Resident Engineers engaged in the construction, supervision, and inspection of highway construction projects in an assigned geographical area within the district.

Subordinate Personnel:                              1-2 Senior Resident Engineers
                                                                    15-25 Direct Resident Engineers

                                                                    10-20 Indirect Engineering Technicians
                                                                    15-20 Temporary Employees (Seasonal)

Value of Construction Projects:                   $10,000 - $35 million each
Number of Projects Under Construction:    20-40

This position reports to the Construction Engineer. Reporting to this position is a Senior Project Engineer and 15-25 resident engineers and resident technicians on a per project basis.

This position functions in a geographical area that may be characterized by both a developed urban area with high traffic volumes and adjoining independent local governmental units, as well as remote rural areas. The task of constructing efficient and economical highway improvements, while at the same time meeting the demands for safety, mobility, and convenience of the public during construction are complicated by strikes, weather, material shortages, and plan changes.

The greatest challenge to this position is ensuring that all the projects in the incumbent’s area are adequately staffed, completed on time, and meet all specifications for quality of workmanship. Typical problems encountered by the incumbent are both technical and managerial in nature. These include reviewing the validity of time extensions and change order requests; determining the applicability of design features and standard specifications to particular problems encountered in the field planning workload and personnel assignments; and motivating subordinates to effectively maintain a high quality of construction inspection and timely documentation.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

The incumbent personally monitors the progress of construction projects to ensure that the work accomplished conforms to the specifications, plans and policies, and acts as the main source of communication between the field personnel and the Construction Engineer. This position also conducts pre-job conferences where representatives of railroad and utilities (if necessary), contractors, and local agencies are brought together for an explanation and discussion of the proposed work. It is essential that the incumbent has unique problem-solving capabilities to recommend approval of changes for all design plans for assigned areas; to properly resolve the technical problems of contract administration, as well as problems associated with complaints and concerns from the public and outside interest groups.

The incumbent conducts interim and final inspections on completed work and ensures that all documentation is complete and accurate, enabling the contract to be finalized and accepted by federal authorities. This position initiates the reply to correspondence with contractors, other agencies, or the public concerning construction projects. Due to the large geographical area that is assigned to the position, the incumbent will spend a considerable amount of time traveling.

The incumbent’s actions are governed by state and federal policies, plans, standard specifications, and special provisions. This position is expected to exercise considerable independent judgment in expediting construction progress and reviews, and recommends appropriate action of all change orders initiated by subordinate resident engineers. The incumbent recommends staffing needs, promotions, salary changes, and disciplinary actions for subordinate personnel. Those technical problems concerning deviations in the plans and standard specifications are referred to the Construction Engineer, along with recommendations for resolution.

In performing the functions of this position, the incumbent maintains weekly contact or more often as needed with his/her resident engineers and staff of the construction office. Frequent contacts are made with both central and district bureaus when construction operations require consultation, recommendations, or approval. Other significant contracts are with the Federal Highway Administration, contractor’s management personnel, local governmental officials, and the public.

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the quality and timeliness of the construction work completed, the engineering cost required, the timeliness of documentation, the number and severity of complaints received from the general public and the promptness in which the incumbent handles these complaints, and the degree of harmony that exists between the incumbent, the contractor’s forces, and other state and federal agencies.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Ensures that construction projects are built according to plans, specifications and departmental policies, and with an acceptable engineering cost.
2. Ensures complete and accurate documentation to facilitate timely acceptance and finalization of projects.
3. Ensures timely response to inquiries, complaints, requests, and follow-up action.
4. Establishes mutual cooperation between the district Bureau of Project Implementation and other central and district bureaus to reconcile divergent viewpoints on special construction projects.
5. Trains and motivates subordinate personnel to ensure a well-developed and competent staff, and provides and maintains a safe work environment for them.
6. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois
• Five years of experience in civil engineering

Position Desirables

• Supervisory experience
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering
• Extensive knowledge of modern methods and techniques as applied to the design, construction and maintenance of public works
• Ability to supervise the preparation of complete engineering plans and specifications
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with departmental staff and supervise subordinate personnel
• Good oral and/or written communication skills