Engineering Specialist

Gogebic County Road Commission; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Gogebic County Road Commission is hiring an Engineering Specialist to enhance relationships between local road agencies and the state. This position entails engaging with key stakeholders, providing engineering expertise, and coordinating efforts to improve Michigan's local road network.

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, possess a PE credential, and have strong communication skills. Join us to make a significant impact in transportation within the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• PE credential licensed in Michigan or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Effective communication skills with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Represent CRA/MML interests with agencies on engineering issues.
• Assist member agencies in technical or engineering-related matters.
• Facilitate education on local road agencies' technical issues.

Skills

Communication

Technical expertise

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) credential

Tools

Office software (word processing, spreadsheets)

Job description

Title

Engineering Specialist for County Road Association and Michigan Municipal League

General Summary

This Engineering Specialist will perform a variety of policy‑level tasks to build relationships, shared objectives and better understanding among road stakeholders, notably including the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), concerning the needs, challenges and interests of local road agencies by working with the County Road Association (CRA) of Michigan, the Michigan Municipal League (MML) and their members statewide.

The Specialist will engage and proactively work with industry representatives to provide expertise on engineering and technical work appropriate to local road agencies as it relates to engineering and some operational issues that impact or may impact local road agencies, by coordinating through CRA and MML. The Specialist, housed at and supported by an MDOT MOU and pass‑through grant to CRA, will act to foster a beneficial relationship and continuous improvement in the interactions between the Associations, their members, and industry representatives for the improvement of Michigan’s local road network. This position works under the supervision of the CRA chief executive officer (CEO) and has in‑office hours and works as an integral part of the CRA staff.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

1. Act as a key subject matter specialist representing CRA/MML interests with agencies such as, but not limited to: MDOT, MDEGLE, MDNR, FHWA, MITA, APAM, MCPA, MRPA, ACEC, MTPA and LTAP on all technical or engineering related issues that impact or may impact member agencies. Serves as the local agency representative on MDOT competitive grant evaluation teams as time allows.
2. Be a resource for member agencies and liaison with other agencies, organizations, and industry representatives for general member agency technical or engineering‑related issues.
3. Be proactive, involved and foster an environment of cooperation and productive problem solving for local road‑related policy development.
4. Establish and maintain working relationships with key members of transportation organizations, and provide advice and feedback to CRA/MML members as emerging and existing issues relate to local agency, whether urban or rural, interests and concerns.
5. Facilitate and/or be the CRA/MML subject matter expert to educate the transportation community about local road agencies’ technical issues and work collaboratively and through communication to resolve them.
6. Review proposed changes; gather information and data as needed on impacts of these changes; communicate with CRA/MML members on changes; and initiate proposed changes to MDOT and FHWA design guidelines, construction procedures, inspection and testing specifications and requirements that impact member agencies in sync with CRA and MML members’ interests.
7. Assist CRA and MML leadership and association staff in assessing engineering and technical consequences of proposed legislation or other administrative rule changes.
8. Work with the Michigan Technological University Center for Technology & Training (CTT) and Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) to communicate new technology and procedures to the association membership. Assist with planning and implementing the CRA County Engineers Workshop, CRA Highway Conference, the statewide MDOT Bridge Conference and other technical workshops and training opportunities. Contribute to CRA educational programming on emerging issues or challenges to ensure these educational programs are complementary.
9. Be a permanent, nonvoting member and support staff the CRA Engineering Committee and the primary resource to the chair of the committee and subcommittees. This position provides local agency engineering representation to the Michigan Wetland Mitigation Board, the Joint Agency Transportation Committee, the MDOT Cultural Clearance Committee, the Rural Task Force Advisory Board, the MDOT Local Agency Programs Division, Oxcart Steering Committee, the Local Road Research Program and the Road Conductor Advisory Board, among other initiatives.
10. The Engineering Specialist’s job performance will be evaluated annually by the CRA CEO with review by MML and the CRA Engineering Committee chair. The evaluation will include many aspects of the assigned work, with primary focus on the performance objectives listed within the Memorandum of Understanding between CRA and MDOT.

County Road Association of Michigan Engineering Specialist Qualifications

The typical duties stated below describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the Engineering Specialist. They are not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related field.
2. Professional Engineer (PE) credential, licensed to practice in the State of Michigan or ability to obtain within 6 months.
3. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively on both oral and written levels with the association staff, member agencies, legislators, government officials, the public and media outlets.
4. Knowledge and experience dealing with county road agencies, cities, villages, townships, and citizens as well as advanced understanding of MDOT, FHWA, MDEQ and MDNR policies relating to local road and bridge issues.

Desired Qualifications

• Five years of progressive experience in a leadership position working in an engineering capacity at a county or municipal road agency.
• Normal office computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet database applications.

FLSA Exempt