GEOMETRICS ENGINEER

Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for the interpretation of policies and procedures which govern the geometric design, capacity analysis, and access control limits of highways. Specifically, these items are directly related to the design of intersections, interchanges, rest areas, weigh stations, and highway alignments. This position is also responsible for the development of highway route location and design studies during peak workloads.

This position reports to the Studies and Plans Engineer.  Reporting to this position are the Assistant Geometric Engineer, Geometric Technician, Senior Geometrics Drafter, and Geometric Drafter.

This position is accountable for the development of intersection geometrics that conform to state policy and for recommending to the central office any design exceptions to policy.  The incumbent creates designs which are cost-effective and often unique using sound principles of value engineering.  The incumbent determines if the central office concurrence of geometrics is required prior to inclusion in a pre-hearing design report for presentation to the public at an informational meeting and/or public hearing.  This position is also responsible for the review/approval of private and/or commercial development plans to ensure that acceptable levels of operation and safety potential are maintained on state/local systems.  Functions performed by this position are highly innovative and have specific objectives of fiscal restraints, cost-effectiveness, and safety.

Typical problems in this position include continuing evaluations of new and innovative policies/procedures, resolution of implementation problems, interpretation of policy/procedures, and resolution of problems associated with proposed designs by district bureaus, county and municipal governments, and consultants.  The greatest challenge is the application of technical knowledge coupled with keen insight to develop geometric configurations which are appropriate and create an efficient and cost/safety-effective highway improvement with minimal adverse social and environmental impacts.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

The incumbent develops geometric highway designs; analyzes traffic volumes; proposes access control limits; determines pavement/shoulder/median and right-of-way widths; designs horizontal/vertical alignments; decides earth slopes, design speeds, sight distance, and super elevation; and performs capacity analysis for intersections and interchanges.  The incumbent provides advice and guidance to consultants and county and municipal engineers during their preparation of geometric designs, capacity analysis, cross-section, alignment, and slope designs.  The incumbent reviews and concurs with geometric designs prepared by other district bureaus, consultants, and counties/municipalities including those prepared after construction contracts have been awarded.  The incumbent approves those designs which conform to policy.  Those that do not conform to policy are approved by the central office.  The incumbent establishes procedures for the development of feasible alternative improvements and evaluation techniques for the priority selection of such alternate types in terms of cost/safety-effectiveness and mitigation of impact.  The incumbent reviews and or recommends appropriate accident countermeasures for safety projects to the Safety Committee for inclusion in the annual program.  The incumbent maintains state-of-the-art knowledge of appropriate state/federal/local policies and evaluates pertinent research with a view toward improving current practices.  The incumbent develops procedures for the implementation of cited policies and cost-effective analysis of resulting improvements.  The incumbent maintains all pertinent policy and procedural information regarding geometric design.  The incumbent directs route location and design studies during peak workloads.  The incumbent trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.

Accountabilities are accomplished through the following staff:

Assistant Geometric Engineer who is accountable to interpret policies and procedures governing geometric design, capacity analysis, and access control of highways for the design of intersections, interchanges, rest areas, weigh stations, welcome centers, and related access points.

Geometric Technician who is accountable for the application of policies and procedures governing geometric design, capacity, and access control of highways for the design of intersections, interchanges, rest areas, and weigh stations.

Senior Geometrics Drafter who is accountable for aiding the Geometric Engineer in the application of policies and procedures governing geometric design and capacity highway for the design of intersections, interchanges, rest areas, and weigh stations.

Geometric Drafter who is accountable to assist in the application of policies and procedures governing geometric design and capacity of highways for the design of intersections, interchanges, rest areas, and weigh stations.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

The incumbent exercises considerable latitude in performing the duties of this position.  Decisions are based on state/federal policies and experience which incorporate innovation, field observations, educational seminars, and current literature.  Certification by the central Bureau of Design and Environment allows this position to approve (without Central Office concurrence) intersection design studies. The incumbent recommends for approval to the section chief design solutions for resolving conflicting situations and highly technical problems that deal with interchange and intersection designs.

Internal contacts include the district Bureau Chiefs of Local Roads and Streets, Program Development, and Operations; district staff; and staff in the central Bureau of Design and Environment.  External contacts include consultants, local governmental entities, and the general public.

The effectiveness of this position is measured according to the accurate and timely completion of assigned tasks.  In addition, it can be measured by the increase in the safety and mobility afforded the motoring public by the effective use of available funds with the least adverse social and environmental consequences.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Develops geometric designs and determines if central office review of geometrics is required prior to a public hearing or informational meeting.  Approves policy-consistent designs.
2. Reviews and concurs with geometric designs on state highways which have been prepared by consultants, counties, municipalities, and other district bureaus.  Approves policy-consistent designs.
3. Reviews and/or prepares safety projects prior to submission to the Safety Committee for inclusion in the program.  Approves policy-consistent designs.
4. Reviews and accepts geometric revisions prepared after construction contracts have been awarded. Approves policy-consistent designs.
5. Directs route location and design studies during peak workloads.
6. Trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.
7. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.  Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.
• Five years of experience in civil engineering.
• Successful completion of a background screening.

Position Desirables

• Experience in civil engineering in the specific area of highway engineering.
• Experience supervising engineering functions.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with departmental staff.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.