LOCAL PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (CIVIL ENGINEER VII)

Essential Functions

This position reports to the Engineer of Local Roads & Streets.  Reporting to this position are the Local Policy and Technology Engineer and the Local Planning and Programming Manager.

All local public agency federal, state, and MFT funded projects are guided from initiation to implementation through the policies and procedures developed under this position.  The department’s Technology Transfer Program is administered in a manner to assure quality and effective technological information and activities are shared with local highway authorities and comply with all Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations and mandates.

Typical problems result from the diverse nature of the policies, procedures and specifications developed, involving planning, programming, design, construction, materials, and operations when federal, state and MFT funds are used.  Major challenges include the determination of the most equitable methods for the allocation of federal and state funds to local public agencies; final selection and monitoring of politically sensitive, yet accomplishable, projects for the published state multi-year program; approval of all highway jurisdictional transfers between the state and local public agencies; providing timely recommendations on a wide variety of proposed legislation having a potential effect on local transportation activities; being aware of and sensitive to the transportation needs and legal requirements of diverse local public agencies ranging from highly urbanized to rural township.

The incumbent personally sets the overall climate, priorities, and direction of the section, ensuring timely completion of the section’s function to avoid delays in local projects and assure timely information to local highway authorities and district personnel.  This position provides final approval and determines the course of action on unusually complicated or controversial issues involving federal fund allocation; project selection or substitution; highway jurisdictional transfers; and federal and MFT policies, procedures, specifications, and technological information.  The incumbent approves positions on legislation affecting local transportation systems.  This position personally reviews candidate qualifications, composes, and supervises examinations, and prepares the certification for the state’s 102 positions of county engineer/superintendent of highways and subsequent reappointments.  The incumbent frequently serves as facilitator between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), other state departments, and local public agency organizations involving sensitive or controversial policies and procedures having a substantial financial or political impact on the affected agencies.

Essential Functions continued

The incumbent accomplishes assigned accountabilities through the following:

Local Policy and Technology Engineer, who is responsible for developing, updating, and disseminating policies, procedures, specifications and design criteria that guide the implementation of all local public agency highway projects (MFT, state, and federal funds); researching data on new products, procedures, and materials for technology transfer; changes in the “Road, Bridge and Other Related Laws of Illinois”; and for researching and recommending action on proposed legislation affecting local public agencies.

Local Planning and Programming Manager, who is responsible for final selection of accomplishable local public agency projects for inclusion in the state Multiyear and Annual Transportation Improvement Programs; allocating federal and state funds to local public agencies; monitoring the preconstruction status of projects so actions may be taken to ensure program accomplishments; development of local public agency needs studies; developing and recording coordinated local public agency highway systems; coordinating and recommending approval of highway jurisdictional transfers between state and local public agencies; classifying federal-aid highway systems in conjunction with the FHWA and the Office of Planning and Programming; and maintaining the original files of all jurisdictional transfers in Illinois.

This position has general latitude to accomplish responsibilities.  Matters of a unique nature are referred to the supervisor with recommendations for resolution.  This position is constrained by applicable departmental, state, and federal policies and guidelines.

Employees within the department which the incumbent has frequent contact include directors, bureau and section chiefs in various offices, regional engineers, and district Local Roads’ personnel.  External contacts include the federal government, other state agencies, local public agency elected and transportation officials, and local public agency associations.  The incumbent works closely with the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Association of County Engineers, the American Public Works Association, and the Township Officials of Illinois.  This position is the bureau’s representative on the Illinois Highway Development Council.  Frequent travel throughout the state is necessary to meet with state and local officials.  Travel outside the state for attendance at nationwide transportation-related meetings is occasionally required.

Since the major portion of all local public agency transportation improvements and repairs depends in some way on this section’s successful completion of its responsibilities, the performance of this position can be measured by the quality and effectiveness of the local public agency transportation program.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Develops, selects, and maintains annual and multiyear local public agency projects for inclusion in the State Highway Program in coordination with the planning process involving Metropolitan Planning Organizations.

2. Allocates federal and state funds to local public agencies for use in improving their transportation system.

3. Develops Federal-Aid and MFT policies, procedures, programs, and specifications that are responsive to the needs of local public agencies and the department within statutory, energy and cost-effective limitations based upon latest design, material, equipment and research findings.

4. Approves all changes in the county, municipal and township highway systems and transfers of jurisdiction between the state and local public agencies.

5. Develops the processes to assure funds administered by this bureau are expended effectively, legally, and within the proper program constraints.

6. Determines the qualifications of candidates for the position of County Engineer / Superintendent of Highways and administers the examination.  Recertifies successful candidates at the end of every six-year term.

7. Recommends department position on legislation as it relates to local public agencies. Provides informal procedural interpretation of statutes involving local public agencies.

8. Monitors and reports the preconstruction status of local projects to provide continuing program analysis and make presentations to local officials on local or state concerns.

9. Develops and motivates staff to effectively and efficiently accomplish the Bureau of Local Roads and Streets legislative mission of coordinating state and local public agency activities on a partnership basis for the development of the statewide highway transportation system.

10. Directs the Technology Transfer Program to ensure federal funding through compliance with all FHWA regulations and mandates.

11. Oversees the development of a quality Technology Transfer newsletter, training program, and video/publication library as a means of sharing technical information with local highway authorities.

12. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules and complies with all laws and rules of safety during travel and field work to ensure personal safety and safety of others.  Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.

13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.
• Ten years of experience in civil engineering including six years of supervising staff and managing engineering functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of the modern methods and practices of public works construction and maintenance operations.
• Basic knowledge of public and business administration.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, WPPS, and WMFT.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver’s license.
• Frequent travel throughout the state.
• Travel outside the state occasionally.
• Successful completion of a background screening.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.