STAFF 2, ASSOCIATE ENGINEER - UNDERFILL

State-of-Nevad; Sparks (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Department of Transportation is seeking an Associate Engineer underfill for a Professional Engineer position in Sparks, NV. The role focuses on reviewing traffic control plans, encroachment permits, and events, while pursuing ATSSA Traffic Control Supervisor certification.

Responsibilities include analyzing traffic impact studies, assisting in design determinations, and recommending mitigations for NDOT right-of-way access.

Qualifications

• Understanding of engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to analyze traffic-related data and provide recommendations.
• Familiarity with traffic control and roadway design concepts.
• Proficiency with engineering software used for plans and reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple inspections and reviews.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze traffic systems including signal and lighting.
• Evaluate pavement sections and rehabilitation strategies.
• Review water rights applications and prepare related rulings.
• Provide environmental compliance documentation and reports.
• Review permits and coordinate with contractors on encroachment projects.
• Oversee and respond to customer comments regarding traffic operations.
• Identify and implement improvements to NDOT right-of-way.
• Coordinate on-site inspections and prepare final contract reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Engineering principles

Knowledge of traffic systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Engineer Intern certification

Job description

Job Overview

The Nevada Department of Transportation is hiring for a Staff 2, Associate Engineer as an underfill for a Professional Engineer located in Sparks, NV. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and approving temporary traffic control plans for construction contracts, encroachment permits, and special events, and becoming an American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) certified Traffic Control Supervisor. They will review and comment on traffic impact studies for developments in District 2, assist in the determination of required design, and recommend mitigations for access into NDOT right‑of‑way.

The incumbent will perform analysis of intersection control evaluations, road safety audits, corridor studies, and other engineering/planning documents to support the decision‑making process for proposed operational and safety improvements on District 2 roadways. They will review and comment on civil improvement plans for encroachment permits in NDOT right‑of‑way, produce plans and specifications for traffic‑related district contracts, and work with contractors to administer those contracts. The incumbent will review and respond to customer comments regarding traffic operations in District 2, and if modifications are needed, coordinate implementation of improvements.

Incumbent may progress to the next level after meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with approval of the appointing authority.

Associate Engineer Overview

Associate Engineers perform a broad range of engineering work that does not require licensure by the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. They possess greater latitude in the interpretation and application of established engineering criteria and technical expertise in the particular program area and/or knowledge acquired in a baccalaureate course of study in engineering or a related discipline. Their duties are typically distinguished from advanced Engineering Technician duties by a greater responsibility for reviewing, interpreting, and using judgment to make recommendations and determinations based on data received, organized, compiled, and summarized by lower‑level technical staff including Engineering Technicians.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or a closely related engineering field and two years of professional engineering experience; OR certification by the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as an Engineer Intern, and two years of professional engineering experience in civil engineering or a closely related engineering field; OR two years of experience as a Staff I, Associate Engineer or Supervisor I, Associate Engineer in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and analyze traffic systems including traffic signal systems, highway lighting systems, traffic striping detail, and overhead traffic sign support structures.
• Design and evaluate pavement structural sections for new and existing roadways; develop new structural sections or appropriate rehabilitation strategies.
• Perform technical and statutory review of water right applications; assist in hearings, prepare draft State Engineer Rulings, and assist in administering water rights including allocation, inventories, and distribution.
• Provide water quality clearance for highway projects, including technical reports for inclusion in required environmental impact statements and ensure compliance with federal and state water quality regulations.
• Perform assessments and determine compliance with federal and state requirements regarding air quality, noise control, and hazardous waste, and prepare required reports.
• Review applications, oversee inspections, and recommend appropriate enforcement action for facilities subject to federal and state regulations governing wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management, and site remediation; review designs and implementation of pollution control systems and environmental remediation projects.
• Identify new, replaced, and/or rehabilitated bridges and map locations for future scheduling; obtain and review bridge plans and specifications; participate in on‑site inspections of in‑service bridges to gather field data and prepare final inspection reports.
• Conduct on‑site highway construction inspections to ensure adherence to specifications and recommend corrective action when needed; prepare final reports including the Construction Engineering Manpower Management System (CEMMS) for construction contracts awarded by the department.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Incumbent Development Path

1. Continue to work toward licensure as a professional engineer under the direct supervision of a Registered Professional Engineer.
2. Work under limited supervision and perform advanced level engineering work not requiring licensure.

Staff II positions are distinguished from Staff I positions by higher level knowledge, skills, and abilities; greater independence and decision‑making responsibility; and greater latitude in making exceptions and substitutions based on additional engineering experience. Incumbents have a broader scope and complexity of projects and may be responsible for all or most of a project, whereas Staff I’s typically oversee small projects or less complex aspects of a large project.

Working Knowledge

• Engineering principles and practices.
• Computer software programs necessary to complete job assignments.

Ability to

• Make logical engineering judgments and decisions.
• Read and understand engineering information from plans, drawings, specifications, manuals, correspondence, reports, graphs, and memos.
• Analyze technical information, problems, situations, practices or procedures to identify relevant concerns, formulate logical and objective conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.
• Communicate orally using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain and provide information and explain policies and procedures.
• Write engineering reports and other technical documents.
• Understand and perform statistical computations.
• Establish rapport and gain the trust of others.
• Operate personal computers and associated engineering software.
• Perform all knowledge, skills, and abilities required at the lower levels.

Recruiter Contact Information: Kristen Burke – [e-mail]