What are the responsibilities and job description for the Highway Engineer (Design) position at Dane County?
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under direction of the Highway Commissioner or Assistant Highway Commissioner, performs professional highway engineering functions in field and office including major design of construction projects; supervision and quality control of all work performed by field construction crews; and other related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Depending on the specialization of the Highway Engineer’s duties (either Construction or Design), they will perform a higher percentage of the applicable responsibilities shown below – additional details may be found in their respective Position Descriptions (PDs):
DESIGN: Design engineering in plan preparation for the development of complete road construction or reconstruction plans and specifications, including recommended route locations, minimum design standards, laying grades and computing quantities of materials. Determines right-of-way widths to be acquired and writes legal descriptions for their acquisition. Works with Highway and Transportation personnel to explain engineering requirements to property owners for right-of-way purchases and sees that legal documents are properly executed. Assigns work to survey crew and other engineering staff. Makes estimates for all types of highway projects including structures and pavement design. Coordinates Federal aid projects with State engineering staff/consultants to meet their minimum specifications. Provides advice and estimates for local municipal projects.
CONSTRUCTION: Plans, bids, schedules and manages construction projects on County and State Highways. Supervises work in the field. Interprets plans and specifications on job site to ensure standards are met. Schedules work with contracting firms. Supervises and performs testing and inspection procedures. Directs the work of survey crews and may participate as a surveyor when needed at construction sites. Provides advice and estimates for State Highway and County facility projects. Verifies contract quantities and payments. Inspects highway bridges for structural condition in accordance with Federal guidelines. Scheduling is done in conjunction with the Highway Maintenance Supervisor to assign project personnel and equipment needed to perform work constructed by Highway Department personnel.
ADMINISTRATIVE: Conducts annual road rating inventory. Plans road projects to be constructed in subsequent years based on inventory inspection. Inspects bridges per federal requirements. Assists in preparing budget documents including the Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP) and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Reviews and issues utility permits for work on highway right-of-way. Assists in reviewing developer plans to insure standards are met. Reviews Controlled Access Permits, Certified Survey Maps, Zoning Permits, and Board of Adjustment Appeals.
Education, Training and Experience:
Minimum Requirements: An Associate’s degree in civil engineering or related field, and six (6) years of highway construction and design experience; or a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field and four (4) years of highway construction and design experience. Ability to operate Civil 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software or similar engineering design software. Preferred Requirements: Supervisory experience. Proficient in Civil 3D CAD software.
Certifications/Licenses:
Wisconsin or other State Professional Engineering Registration required. (May be able to obtain Wisconsin registration through reciprocity within six months.) Must attend and pass a federal Certified Bridge Inspector 40 hour class within one (1) year from the date of hire (Dane County will schedule and pay for training).
Special Requirements:
Must have a valid driver’s license and access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Must be able to hear and see within normal ranges with or without corrective devices. Adequate physical mobility in field conditions. Must be able to walk long distances, climb over fences and under bridges and culverts. Able to perform outdoor work and drive in all types of weather conditions. Able to perform indoor office and computer work.
Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices applied to highway and bridge design and construction. Knowledge of the basic principles and practices of engineering field and office work, including design preparation and field surveying. Ability to design urban and rural roadway projects using Civil 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software or equivalent and utilizing WisDOT FDM design standards as well as produce all required reports, plan specifications and estimates for WisDOT let projects. Ability to direct the work of subordinates in drafting and surveying. Ability to make difficult engineering computations, estimates and designs. Ability to make structural condition inspections of bridges in accordance with Federal guidelines. Ability to prepare and interpret plans and specifications and to perform or supervise the engineering inspection of contract construction. Ability to plan, organize, assign and review work performed in compliance to construction standards and project specifications. Ability to work effectively with public officials, contractors and the general public.
Salary : $50 - $64
