GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SPECIALIST - 09222026-81100

Tennessee Department of Transportation; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Tennessee Department of Transportation seeks a Geotechnical Engineering Specialist 3/4 to support project teams with geotechnical guidance, testing and foundation analysis. The role emphasizes geohazard mitigation, TDOT specifications, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders in a matrix organization.

The position requires degrees in Engineering fields and multiple years of demonstrated competency in planning or constructing projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management.
• 1 year of demonstrated competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects (Specialist 1).
• 2 years of demonstrated competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects (Specialist 2).
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 year of competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects (Specialist 1).
• 3 years of competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects (Specialist 3).
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 years of competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects (Specialist 3).

Responsibilities

• Serve as a SME for all geotechnical engineering aspects from subsurface testing to geotechnical designs and foundation analysis.
• Develop in-house geotechnical products or manage consultant geotechnical products.
• Ensure all geotechnical and foundation plans comply with TDOT specifications and policies.
• Provide data-driven engineering judgment for complex issues.
• Integrate Quality Management into geotechnical deliverables and designs.
• Assess geotechnical risk factors on projects to minimize impact on scope and schedule.
• Collaborate with Project Teams, TDOT divisions, regions, and contractors.
• Mentor staff and deliver geotechnical-related training.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Subsurface testing

Foundation design

Geohazard mitigation

Data-driven engineering judgment

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering

Construction Project Management

Concrete Industry Management

Job description

Job ID
81100

Location
Knox County

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 09/22/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/05/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $5,647.00 - $7,326.00

Salary (Annually) $67,764.00 - $87,912.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Knoxville, TN

Department Transportation

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, KNOX COUNTY

This position is in the Materials and Tests Division - Geotechnical Engineering Section.

For more information, visit the link below:

https://www.tdot.tn.gov/PublicDocuments/HR/M&T-Division-Geotechnical-Engineering-Section-Geotechnical-Transportation-Engineering-Specialist.pdf

This position has a hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Transportation Engineering Specialist: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 1: Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 2: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• OR
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 Year of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 3: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 3 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects
• OR
• Master's Degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 Years of Demonstrated Competency in planning, developing and/or constructing projects

Overview

The Geotechnical Engineering Specialist 3 & 4 supports Project Teams, Materials and Tests Field Services Teams and Regional Operations by providing geotechnical engineering guidance and recommendations. This position also provides recommendations on geohazard mitigation and response options. This position employs Department specifications policies, technical guidance, and procedures related to pavement design and construction to support the project delivery process.

The Geotechnical Engineering Specialist 3 & 4 are responsible for collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders, including Project Teams, TDOT Divisions, Regions, and contractors to ensure contractual requirements are met.

This position will apply acquired knowledge to improve TDOT specifications, policies, and procedures that mitigate the Department's risk and increase performance as part of fulfilling TDOT's strategic vision. This position must effectively articulate geotechnical concepts through training, mentoring, and collaborating as part of a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Duties of TDOT Transportation Engineering Specialist 3 and 4 include:

• Serve as a resource for TDOT Operations and Project Teams as part of a matrix organization by serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all aspects of geotechnical engineering from initial subsurface testing and condition evaluation to geotechnical designs and foundation analysis, to geohazard mitigation and/or response options. Develop in-house geotechnical-related products or manage consultant geotechnical products as appropriate. Ensure all geotechnical and foundation plans comply with TDOT specifications, design standards, policies, and procedure. Provide data-driven engineering judgment for complex issues.
• Integrate Quality Management into all deliverables, including development and maintenance of geotechnical specifications, geotechnical/foundation/retaining wall designs, technical documents, policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Proactively assess geotechnical related risk factors on projects and work with the Project Team to minimize potential impacts to the project scope, schedule, and budget.
• Participate in peer exchanges, fostering collaboration both internally and with relevant partners to share ideas, skills, and insights to get the best results. Serve as TDOT's liaison in teaming with industry for pavements. Assist Project Teams and Materials & Pavements with geotechnical related construction contract and dispute resolution issues with contractors, producers, and/or suppliers.
• Assist with developing and delivering geotechnical-related training to TDOT staff, Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI), contractors and other external stakeholders.
• Assist in the development of a Consultant Acquisition Plan (CAP) to address CEI requests and assist in the oversight of CEI consultants by serving on selection committees for professional engineering services as part of the Brooks Act, including assisting with Request For Proposal (RFP) development, attending project-specific marketing meetings, assisting with determining scoring criteria, assisting with project information sessions, when applicable, serving as a scorer as part of the consultant acquisition process, negotiating contracts, attending de-briefs for consultants where usable feedback must be provided, and monitoring contract compliance.
• Remain current on the latest geotechnical specifications, design, and construction trends. Assist and conduct pavement research to optimize designs, methods, and preservation techniques.
• Provide exceptional customer service to project stakeholders by exercising effective listening and communicating effectively.

Additional Job Duties for the TDOT Transportation Engineering Specialist 4 include:

• Serve as a mentor and resource to less experienced staff by assisting in the development and presentation of training that addresses geotechnical elements, including governing rules and processes, lessons learned, and emerging technologies.
• Provide innovative recommendations for geotechnical methods.
• Assist Project Teams by providing data-driven, engineering judgment for complex issues, anticipating and acting on potential issues, and meeting associated deadlines and timelines.
• Participate in constructability reviews.

Competencies (KSA's)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Competencies (KSACs):

• Knowledge of engineering principles, potentially within a specific discipline as they relate to transportation projects
• Knowledgeable in the use of computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Skilled in basic technical writing
• Ability to communicate effectively, while interacting with internal and external stakeholders in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time to ensure assignments are completed
• Ability to use critical thinking to problem solve and make informed decisions
• Ability to learn technical concepts and apply those concepts to work
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to conduct work with a high degree of accuracy

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist II and III include:

• Skilled in strong technical writing
• Ability to work within a project team
• Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed

Additional KSACs for Engineering Specialist III include:

• Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment
• Ability to coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Team to proactively identify and resolve complex, multidisciplinary issues which may impact project scope, schedule, and/or budget