Transportation Engineer Trainee (Cost Estimating Section)

State of Connecticut - Department of Transportation; Newington (CT); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site fitness center

On-site cafeteria

EV charging at headquarters

Free parking

Job summary

State of Connecticut - Department of Transportation seeks a Transportation Engineer Trainee at our Newington, CT headquarters for on-the-job training in AWP, Asset Tracker, and reporting using PowerBI.

This entry-level role offers mentoring, exposure to design units, and a path to professional licensing, with shifts, travel and licensure requirements noted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure may substitute for general experience.
• Experience with Power BI and Microsoft Office 365.
• Ability to work independently and communicate with stakeholders.
• Experience with data management and relational databases.
• EIT license is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist training in AWP software and Asset Tracker module; design reports in AWP and PowerBI.
• Prepare engineer's estimates for smaller projects using AWP; consider scope, bid data, pricing, schedule, and complexity.
• Communicate with stakeholders and develop training guides/videos.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Data analytics

Problem solving

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees
• Join an award winning agency! CTDOT was recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!
• The convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria, and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at our Newington, CT, Headquarters facility. All CTDOT facilities have ample free parking with easy access from major highways and by public transportation.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• First shift
• Location: Positions available at the DOT Headquarters in Newington, CT
• A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required and must be maintained.
• Hybrid-in office/telework may be available, in accordance with the Telework Policy which can be found here.

THE ROLE

The Transportation Engineer Trainee will receive training to assist with administering and maintaining the AASHTOWare Project (AWP) software suite, including the cost estimating module. You will provide AWP support including assisting in managing user accounts, implementing new modules and user feedback, coordinating enhancements, communicating with stakeholders, developing training guides/videos, and designing reports both in AWP and PowerBI. You will assist with implementation of AWP’s Asset Tracker module at CTDOT. The Asset Tracker implementation will fill a current data gap in providing cost data by asset to aid in lifecycle planning and lifecycle cost analysis.

You will also receive training to prepare engineer’s estimates for smaller projects. You will use AWP to review design estimates and build engineer’s estimates for smaller projects while taking into consideration project scope, recent bid data, commodity pricing, schedule, and complexity.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:

• Receive on-the-job training and work with experienced engineers.
• Contribute to providing a safe and efficient transportation system.
• Make a positive impact on local communities.
• Collaborate with and gain exposure to other CTDOT design units including Highway Design, Bridge Design, Soils and Foundations, Hydraulics and Drainage, Traffic Design and many others.
• Gain experience to qualify for professional licensing.
• Resolve complex transportation challenges and recommend and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Enjoy diverse working conditions with both office environment and field work.
• Utilize computer aided design software (MicroStation) and other applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

SALARY/PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Transportation Engineer Trainee: $76,307/annually

After successful completion of a one (1) year training program, you will be promoted to Transportation Engineer 1 (Engineering). Salary: $85,151-$104,720/annually

After successful completion of two (2) years as a Transportation Engineer 1, you will be promoted to Transportation Engineer 2. Salary: $95,865-$123,809/annually

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applicants must be available to travel for training, conferences, meetings, field reviews, etc. both within and outside of normal working hours, when necessary. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required and must be maintained. Please list your Driver's license number, expiration date, and issuing State, Engineer-in-Training license number (if applicable), Professional Engineer license (if applicable) and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold, in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of your application.

ABOUT US

As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, DOT employs approximately 3,300 individuals statewide in five bureaus. CTDOT is guided by its mission to improve lives through transportation. Our infrastructure and transit systems are essential to the safety and mobility of Connecticut residents, and our work strengthens both economic and community development. CTDOT is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and individuals with broad-ranging backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.

Selection Plan

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [e-mail].
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
• This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jasmyn Raymond at [e-mail].

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority this class is accountable for receiving training in introductory professional engineering work for the development of technical and professional transportation engineering and transportation construction engineering skills and knowledge in order to qualify for advancement in the field of transportation engineering.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a wide variety of increasingly difficult duties as technical skills are acquired during course of training period.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of basic transportation engineering theories, principles and methods;
• Skill in use of drafting and calculating instruments and other computer applications;
• Considerable ability in performing mathematical computations, making neat and accurate drawings and preparing minor design and structural details.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Possession of a Bachelor's degree.

NOTE: If the target job classification has a Minimum Qualification that requires specific licensure and/or the Bachelor's degree to be in a specific area(s), then these specific licensures and degree areas are required for appointment to the Transportation Engineer Trainee classification. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• Possession of Professional Engineer (PE) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. 20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.
• Possession of Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure from the Department of Consumer Protection State Board of Examiners for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors consistent with C.G.S. 20-302 may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with software and adapting the software to specific needs.
• Experience in data management, relational databases, and data analytics methods.
• Practiced interpersonal skills, both written and oral.
• Experience analyzing problems and recommending effective solutions for engineering related issues.
• Experience working independently, being self‑motivated and taking ownership of assignments.
• Experience presenting complex information to diverse populations including officials, peers, stakeholders, and both small and large groups.
• Experience writing and preparing technical reports, especially in PowerBI.
• Experience with Microsoft Office 365, Power BI, and related software.
• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) license.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some risk of injury or physical harm from highway, construction site, or on-site environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from year-round weather conditions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.