Engineering Technician or Sr Engineering Technician

Job Summary
To survey, design, inspect, and provide construction stakes for county road and bridge construction projects in accordance with state and federal standards and specifications, departmental procedures, and sound engineering practices. 

Essential Functions
This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.
 

1. Designs and prepares road and bridge construction plans. Interprets and reduces field survey data. Using computer aided drafting system and complicated civil engineering software, apply complex design principles, standards, and calculations to design road and bridge construction projects. Calculates estimated quantities for use as bid items for road and bridge construction projects. Edits computer generated construction details, plan and profiles, and cross sections for accuracy and clarity. Reviews and edits computer generated reports for accuracy. Assembles individual plan sheets into a comprehensive construction plan. Creates right of way plats for road construction projects by reviewing legal property descriptions and title searches and applying land survey practices recognized by the State of Minnesota. Assists with the environmental documents, and permit applications.
2. Provides construction inspection while acting as the engineer's authorized representative for road and bridge construction projects. Inspects construction to assure compliance with construction plans and specifications. Maintains accurate and complete records pertaining to construction progress, quantities of work performed, and construction materials. Performs quality control tests on construction materials including aggregate, concrete and bituminous materials.
3. Performs preliminary surveys for road and bridge construction projects. Researches existing survey data for known horizontal and vertical control points and locate them in the field. Collects data for the design of road and bridge construction projects.  Data is collected using various survey equipment to perform closed traverse, bench loop, terrain modeling, base line cross section, topographical, and hydraulic surveys. Performs miscellaneous surveys including no-passing surveys, sight distance surveys, and county ditch surveys.
4. Provides staking for road and bridge construction projects. Stakes right-of-way and easements for the acquisition of right of way. Provides construction stakes for centerline alignment, clear and grub limits, slope stakes, culvert and catch basin stakes, elevation tolerance stakes, and bridge construction stakes according to complicated construction plans.
5. Verifies final payment quantities and design calculations.          
6. Performs traffic studies.
7. Attends training and meetings as needed.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications
Two-year degree from a Civil Engineering Technology program or five (5) years experience as a civil engineering technician.
 
Valid Minnesota driver's license required. Employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.
 
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain required Mn/DOT technical certifications following hire.
 
Special note: After 5 years of full-time experience in this position and demonstrated job proficiency, the incumbent may be eligible for promotion to the Sr. Engineering Technician job classification, subject to available budget funds, County Engineer support, and County Administrator approval.
 
 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
 
Knowledge of: 

1. County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices to safely and effectively accomplish the needs of the department.
2. Modern methods and techniques of civil engineering as applied to the survey, design, and construction of roads and bridges.
3. Land and engineering survey methods, techniques, and requirements.

1. Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with staff and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
2. Organizing and prioritizing work.
3. Computer skills and typing sufficient to complete 30 net words per minute without errors.
4. Reading, writing, and speaking English proficiently.

1. Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat co-workers and supervisors with respect, honesty, and consideration.
2. Obtain and maintain technical certification through MnDOT in the areas of grading and base, bituminous street and plant, concrete street and plant, and bridge construction and safety inspection.
3. Compute complex engineering formulas.
4. Efficiently operate calculator, document copying equipment, computer, total station, level, and other surveying and material testing equipment.
5. Comprehend construction plans.
6. Communicate effectively with coworkers, county officials, contractors, property owners, and other government agencies.
7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, contractors, county officials, and the general public.