Engineering Assistant I - II

Texas Department of Transportation; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking Engineering Assistants to perform vital engineering tasks related to transportation operations. This role offers job rotation, training, and is designed to prepare employees for engineering licensing. Successful candidates will engage in various engineering projects, inspections, and participate in career development programs.

Benefits

Career Development Program participation

Potential for job rotation and continuing education

State vehicle for job-related travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science required.
• For Engineering Assistant II, 1 year of engineering-related experience is required.
• Valid driver’s license necessary for driving state vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Prepares for professional engineering licensing through training and exams.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Assists in accident investigations involving bridges/structures.

Skills

Transportation engineering terminology

Computer-aided drafting and design systems

Applicable inspection methods

Highway construction and maintenance

Data collection and analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science

Job description

Engineering Assistant I:

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Engineering Assistant II:

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, constructioninspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to activelypursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensedprofessional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmentalrepresentatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments;however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

NOTE: All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the Engineering Assistant Career
Development program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a
Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment.

Essential Duties:

Engineering Assistant I - II:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and
  completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and
  completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Assists during emergencies and inclement weather.
• Assists in accident investigations involving bridges/structures.
• Collects engineering data at project sites.
• Creates detailed PS&E.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and
  continuing education.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs design computations and plan preparations to include preparing plan sheets for construction projects
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.

Additional Responsibilities for Engineering Assistant I - II Include:

• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities.
• Performs traffic barricade inspections, identifies problems and assists with resolution of traffic control plans
• Reviews/designs and details bridge and structural elements.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems
• Performs advanced and specialized engineering design work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Engineering Assistant I:

Education:Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Work Experience: NONE (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

License and Certification:

• 404: Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate
• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Acceptable Substitutions:

• Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET)may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
• Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET)may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Engineering Assistant II:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS

Work Experience: 1 YEAR in ENGINEERING related experience(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part-time equivalent)

License and Certification

• 069: Mandatory: TX Engineer In Training Certificate (EIT) or obtain 120 days from the date of hire.
• 404: Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate
• Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Competencies:

Engineering Assistant I - II:

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals.
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems.
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques.
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Highway construction and maintenance.
• Research and analysis methodologies.
• Application of engineering fundamentals.
• Using engineering workstations and applications of engineering technology.
• Collecting, sorting and compiling data.
• Training in a classroom, office, or field environment.

Additional Competencies for Engineering Assistant I - II Include:

• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities.
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry and geometry.
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others.
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that
  support business objectives and goals.
• Engineering designs.
• Plan review methods, processes and procedures
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Engineering Assistant I - II:

• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection.
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour.
• Subject to noise.
• Subject to vibration.
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals.
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs.
• Crouching-bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine.
• Standing-prolonged periods of time.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes visual inspection of small defects/parts.

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.

Additional Conditions of Employment for Engineering Assistant I - II Include:

• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. Safety impact employees will be subject to additional drug and alcohol testing during employment.
• Required to work weekends and holidays
• Required to work hours other than 8 to 5.
• Required to work under exposure to inclement weather conditions.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by employer and comply with all safety requirements.
• Must attend work regularly and observe approved work hours.