STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Transportation Engineer Trainee

Target Class: Transportation Engineer 1 & 2 (Engineering)

Recruitment #191120-8741FS-001

Introduction

Do you want to be part of a great team of Engineering and Construction professionals who are shaping the future of Transportation in Connecticut? The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks applications for Transportation Engineer Trainee (Engineering) positions in the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Engineering, in Newington, CT. Current Engineering students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering by May of 2020 are encouraged to apply!  Watch this video to learn about what our transportation engineers do!

 

Transportation Engineer Trainee positions are DOT’s entry-level engineering positions and primarily perform transportation design and related engineering work. (Please Note: If you have previous Transportation Engineering or Transportation Construction experience, and would like to be considered for non-entry level positions, please also review any current or future job postings for Transportation Engineer 1 and Transportation Engineer 2 at www.jobapscloud.com/CT.

Transportation Engineer Trainees receive training to develop technical engineering skills and knowledge. Transportation Engineer Trainees are eligible for promotion to the target class of Transportation Engineer 1 (Engineering) after successful completion of the one (1) year training program. These positions are full-time, 40 hours per week and are in the P-4 (Engineering and Scientific) bargaining unit.

The DOT offers a competitive starting salary and excellent State benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan, alternate work schedule options and a multitude of other benefits. We also offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center and on-site cafeteria at our Headquarters facility. DOT facilities have ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation.

Watch this video to see the exciting work we do!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. You MUST select "Newington" or "ALL" in the work location section of the application. Candidates must possess at the time of hire, a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university. Current Engineering students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree by May of 2020 are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, available to travel to and attend training, conferences, public meetings, field reviews, etc. both within and outside of normal working hours when necessary, and must have a valid Driver's license. Applicants must list their valid Driver's license number, expiration date and issuing State, and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications, in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of their application. To be considered, candidates must possess a minimum of an accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university at the time of hire, or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure or Engineer-In-Training (EIT) licensure from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Other minimum qualifications for this position are a general knowledge of transportation engineering theories, principles and methods; skill in use of computer aided design software (Microstation preferred) and other computer applications including Word and Excel; strong oral and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to read and analyze construction plans and estimates; ability to problem solve, recommend and implement effective solutions in a timely manner; ability to prioritize and multi-task; considerable ability in performing mathematical computations, making neat and accurate drawings and preparing design details.

 

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. Applicants will be unable to make revisions once their application is submitted into the JobAps system. Applicants who submit and subsequently withdraw their application will not be able to resubmit for the same posting.

NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to answer additional questions and/or submit additional documentation which supports their qualifications for this position. These documents may include; cover letters, college transcripts, verification of degree completion, foreign education equivalency reports from a recognized USA accrediting service, proof of licensure, performance appraisals, employment/supervisory references, etc.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The candidate pool resulting from this posting may be used to fill Transportation Engineer Trainee vacancies that occur in the Office of Engineering in Newington in the next twelve (12) months. 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 which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Jackie Ouellette at jackie.ouellette@ct.gov and reference TE Trainee 11/2019.

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

Transportation Engineer Trainees can work in many different capacities agency-wide. Some of the areas include:

BRIDGE DESIGN: Engineers in the Division of Bridges work with a variety of transportation structures as well as:

• Use advanced analysis software and CADD technology to prepare designs including geometrics, drainage, structural analysis and creating bid documents
• Perform cost estimating
• Design and create contract documents for bridge structures, traffic structures, and roadway structures
• Oversee and administer projects from project concept, through design, to construction
• Prepare environmental permits and coordinate with both municipalities and utilities entities
• Review and approve shop and working drawings for projects in construction, and work with fabricators and contractors to facilitate construction and to ensure contract compliance
• Provide construction support when problems arise during construction and prepare change orders
• Fully inspect bridges to address the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the State’s bridge infrastructure
• Design new bridges and rehabilitate and preserve deteriorating bridges
• Perform bridge load ratings to determine the safe carrying capacity of bridges
• Carry out detailed hydraulic analysis and review analysis done by outside parties
• Manage projects and programs designed by consultant firms

HIGHWAY DESIGN: Highway engineers have the challenge to not only improve Connecticut’s transportation system to meet operational and safety needs, but also to balance this against environmental, historic, cultural, community, aesthetic, and economic impacts. Engineers in the Division of Highway Design:

• Develop projects that improve the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the State’s transportation system
• Find solutions to challenging roadway and multi-modal improvement problems
• Evaluate design alternatives to ensure the best designs
• Utilize CADD and other cutting-edge computer technology to perform a wide variety of technical analysis, including geometrics, drainage, and cost estimating
• Make multi-media presentations of projects to municipalities, residents, businesses and the public
• Provide technical engineering support during the construction of projects
• Have a challenging work environment, and excellent training to improve technical and communication skills

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING: Traffic Engineering offers engineers exposure to stimulating work assignments to enhance their engineering skills. Engineers in the Division of Traffic:

• Conduct traffic engineering studies
• Perform traffic flow analyses utilizing state-of-the-art engineering methods and computer software programs
• Develop designs for traffic signal systems and traffic control signals
• Review major commercial developments for their effect on highway operations

 

Positions may also be available in other program areas such as electrical engineering, facilities design, environmental engineering, pavement management, geotechnical engineering, engineering computer applications development and other transportation engineering areas.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

General 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

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Construction Management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. Possession of Land Surveyor (LS) licensure or 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.

2. Possession of Land Surveyor-In-Training (LSIT) licensure or 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.

3. Possession of at least Level III certification, from the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), in one of the following Civil Engineering Technology Programs may be substituted for the General Experience requirement:

a.  Transportation Construction Inspection Program - Highway Construction Inspection.

b.  Construction Materials Testing Program - Asphalt or Concrete.

c.  Transportation Program - Highway Materials, Highway Surveys or Highway Construction Inspection

4. Possession of a Level III Survey Technician Certification from the National Society of Professional Surveyors may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited institution, we seek strong work ethic and interest to work in the transportation engineering field. Other preferred qualifications may include:

• Possession of a civil engineering degree or other engineering degree in a position-relevant discipline;
• Achievement of a highly successful grade average in relevant engineering courses;
• Specific engineering-related computer software knowledge;
• Excellent presentation skills and oral and written communication skills; and,
• Professional ambition demonstrated by taking the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and a future goal to pursue professional licensure is a plus.

Relevant information such as possession of any licensure, any engineering specialization in college, or relevant internships must be included in the application package.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  2. 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.