Engineer Trainee/Assistant Engineer NY HELPS

About the Role

This position is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

Key Responsibilities

• When assigned to Construction:
• Function as Chief Inspector or Engineer-in-Charge on Department construction projects.
• Ensure contractor work meets contract specifications, engineering standards, and is performed safely.
• Supervise project inspection forces.
• Review design, consultant, and contractor plans, shop drawings, and estimates.
• Initiate design changes and orders-on-contract.
• Complete daily work reports.
• Prepare final documents and record plans.
• Act as an office engineer, checking computations, keeping job records, and preparing monthly estimates.
• Engage in use of CADD, highway design software, and GPS systems.
• Overnight stays, night work, and weekend work may be required for field assignments.
• When assigned to Design:
• Perform a variety of design duties under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer.
• Engineer Trainee duties may include:
• Design of capital roadway or bridge projects, including site investigations.
• Preparation of engineering drawings utilizing 2D/3D CADD applications.
• Preparation of estimates.
• May fill the role of an assistant team leader for a bridge/culvert inspection crew.
• Assistant Engineer duties may also include:
• Draft project reports.
• Supervise and review the work of engineering technicians.
• Perform quality control review of project documents for consistency with Department standards and constructability.
• Assist in public outreach.
• Provide construction support.
• When assigned to Traffic:
• Conduct operational studies pertaining to various traffic control devices, including signs, traffic signals, ITS devices, and pavement markings.
• Perform speed studies for establishing speed limits.
• Review crash histories and roadway characteristics for Highway Safety Investigations.
• Design and review Work Zone Traffic Control plans for Capital Projects and Highway Work Permit projects.
• Perform design review of Capital Project & Highway Work Permit plans for content related to signs, signals, pavement markings, access management, etc., for compliance with NYSDOT & Federal standards.
• Evaluate and modify traffic signal timing plans and programs.
• Perform and conduct traffic signal designs.
• Conduct traffic signal warrant analyses.
• Review Traffic Impact Studies.
• Provide oversight and guidance to regional signal crews.
• When assigned to Maintenance:
• Support management of maintenance organization by developing and tracking the annual work plan.
• Investigate service requests.
• Oversee maintenance crew work.
• Manage maintenance contract work.
• Supervise highway supervisors.
• Oversee snow and ice operations.
• Manage salt use and inventories.
• Process highway work permits.
• Coordinate equipment use.
• Procure goods and services.
• Enforce departmental policies.
• A significant amount of contact with the public is required.
• Directly involved with workforce management, employee and facility safety, inventory control, petroleum bulk storage administration, environmental regulatory compliance administration, herbicide programs, asset condition assessments, preparing specifications and details for maintenance contract work, and other assigned tasks.
• This position may require work to be performed outside core hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• When assigned to Planning:
• Serve as Project Manager for Locally Administered Federal Aid Projects and Coordinator for various Federal, State & Local programs.
• Manage cost, scope, and schedule of projects.
• Facilitate project teams to achieve consensus for key project decisions.
• Ensure effective communication with all stakeholders (internal and external).
• Assist the Regional Local Programs Unit by applying engineering knowledge to the review of design approval documents/contract plans/specifications/estimates and performing on-site reviews.
• Prepare a range of documents and reports using the Microsoft Office suite.
• Assist in various aspects of Capital Program development, updating, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support Project Development efforts, including compiling and organizing data, documenting conditions and issues for highway/bridge improvement projects, and assisting in meeting preparation and coordination.
• GIS Data input/analysis and map preparation using ARCGIS.
• Conducting bridge and pavement modeling.
• Prepare findings for supervisors, including recommendations and alternatives, demonstrating rationale in final format.
• Periodic field work may be required for data collection, traffic counts, and site visits.
• Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System for emergency response.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Possession of a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or the ability to meet travel requirements.
• CADD
• Highway design software
• GPS systems
• Microsoft Office suite
• ARCGIS

Qualifications

• Engineer Trainee:
• Either:
• A bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or engineering technology as listed below.
• Or:
• Proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time engineering experience.
• Serve a 24-month traineeship leading to Assistant Engineer, Grade 20.
• To advance to Assistant Engineer, must obtain proof of passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) and successfully complete traineeship requirements.
• Early advancement to Assistant Engineer is possible at the discretion of the appointing authority if FE is obtained and twelve months of traineeship are completed.
• Assistant Engineer:
• Either:
• Proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND a qualifying bachelor's degree or higher.
• Or:
• Proof of passing the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering Examination (FE) AND one year of full-time qualifying engineering experience.
• Qualifying Degrees:
• Civil Engineering
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Construction Engineering
• Construction Engineering Technology
• Construction Engineering Management
• Construction Engineering Management Technology
• Geological Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Hydraulics Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Transportation Planning and Engineering
• Engineering Science with a recognized concentration in any of the above listed engineering degrees.
• Qualifying Experience:
• One year of full-time engineering experience with transportation projects related to highways/roadways, railroads, bridges, airports, waterways, building structures, or traffic management and safety systems.
• Candidates may also be qualified for permanent appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer.
• Educational credentials must be from an institution accredited by a recognized agency.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled.
• Candidates selected for appointment must provide proof of citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States.