Transportation Bridge Safety Principal Engineer

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is accepting applications for a Transportation Bridge Safety Principal Engineer, based in our Newington, CT Headquarters building. This position is in the Office of Engineering, Division of Bridges, Bridge Safety and Evaluation section. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, and is in the P-5 (A&R) bargaining unit. An active Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE) license is required.

The Transportation Bridge Safety Principal Engineer is assigned as the DOT's Program Manager in accordance with federal bridge inspection regulations.  This position is responsible for ensuring the safety of the traveling public by managing, directing, and coordinating the inspection of highway, pedestrian and railroad bridges, overhead sign supports, traffic signal mast arm supports, high-mast lighting towers, and traffic signal span poles, in accordance with federal regulations.

The incumbent in this position is required to respond and/or consult for bridge hits, structure fires, scour monitoring, and after-hours questions related to bridge safety. The incumbent must be available to travel for training, conferences, meetings, etc. both within and outside of normal working hours, when necessary. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required.

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, on-site cafeteria, and ample free parking. We are centrally located in Newington with easy access from major highways and by public transportation.

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.

Applicants must list their valid Driver's license number, expiration date and issuing State, and Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE) license number and expiration date in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of their application. Applicants must also 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 Bridge Safety Principal Engineer vacancies that occur at the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Division of Bridges, 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 Transportation Bridge Safety Principal Engineer #30227.

In the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction Services, this class is accountable for ensuring safe, maximum service from state bridges through the effective and efficient supervision of all aspects of bridge safety, inspection and bridge maintenance.

•    Plan and execute inspections of bridges, tunnels, high mast lighting, sign support structures, traffic signal support structures (mast-arms) and span poles.

•    Schedule, assign, oversee and review the work of staff and Consultants.

•    Be available 24/7 to respond and/or consult for bridge hits, structure fires, scour monitoring, and after-hours questions related to bridge safety.

•    Prepare scope of work and estimates and interact with the DOT Financial Office and the Federal Highway Administration to secure funding. Manage financial budgets.

•    Recommend corrective work to keep bridges in a State of Good Repair. This includes assessing needs for preservation, maintenance, repair, or replacement of bridges and structures. Determine if a critical finding requires immediate attention via Emergency Declaration.

•    Conduct Quality Control and Assurance activities, including field visits of in-house and Consultant inspection teams, to ensure accuracy of work.

•    Manage Scour Monitoring internet-based program and rain events during periods of severe weather to ensure safety of the traveling public.

•    Update Manuals and prepare Engineering Bulletins and Directives with new or updated information.

•    Recruit and interview potential new staff.

•    Manage and supervise staff; select and schedule training, provide motivation, mentoring, counseling and discipline, ensure uniformity of procedures. 

•    Conduct performance evaluations of staff and Consultants.

•    Evaluate office operations to improve efficiencies, including the use of new technologies (i.e. scanners, drones, cell phones, tablets).

•    Secure office and field equipment, including inspection vehicles and boats.

•    Schedule and conduct Partnering meetings with Consultants performing bridge inspections for DOT.

•    Investigate citizen complaints and follow-up with complainant.

•    Maintain bridge inventories and inspection records, including the establishment, upkeep, and modifications of electronic inspection recording software (SMS).

•    Provide the DOT Communications Office with bridge information related to citizen/media requests. May speak directly to television and newspaper reporters.

•    Establish and maintain a good working relationship with stakeholders such as towns, railroad companies, government agencies, universities, private bridge owners, and interest groups.

•    Assist in design and construction activities and advise other units regarding condition of assets not normally inspected by Bridge Safety (i.e. drainage pipes, marine docks, retaining walls).

•    Comply with Federal Highway Administration Metrics for the National Bridge Program and National Tunnel Program to avoid safety issues and penalties. Develop Improvement Plans and Plans of Corrective Action when needed.

•    Responsible for the submission of the Annual Federal Inventory of Bridges.

•    Interpret Federal and State policy and brief staff and upper management. Advise upper management on bridge safety related issues.

•    Participate as a member of committees and working groups (i.e. DOT, Federal, industry), making presentations to groups (i.e. DOT, Universities, Committees), Teaching/Training staff and others (technical and safety subjects).

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices involved in design, construction and maintenance of bridges and structures with particular reference to safety, maximum usage and potential failure; knowledge of hydraulic design; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability in analysis of bridge and structural issues and identification of accurate and/or timely corrective measures; supervisory ability.

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the planning and execution of complex transportation engineering projects.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory experience with responsibility for bridge and structural design, bridge construction, bridge repair, hydraulic design, or highway structures projects.

Notes:

1. Supervisory capacity is interpreted as scheduling, assigning and overseeing work, establishing performance standards for employees and taking corrective measures to implement those standards.

2. For State employees, the Special Experience is interpreted at or above the level of Transportation Supervising Engineer (Engineering).

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques;
• Considerable knowledge of relevant department policies and procedures;
• Considerable knowledge of department operational methodologies;
• Considerable ability to analyze and review engineering reports, plans and specifications;
• Considerable ability to interpret and apply principles of information systems and technologies;
• Considerable knowledge of bridge and highway design, bridge inspection, construction methods and materials; and,
• Ability to analyze design problems and determine effective solutions.

1. Incumbents must possess 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.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

3. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from highway and bridge environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year-round weather condition.

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.