STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Transportation Engineer Trainee

Target Class: Transportation Engineer 1 & 2 (Engineering)

Recruitment #210720-8741FS-001

Introduction


Are you passionate about shaping the future of transportation in Connecticut? If so, come join our great team of engineering professionals and make an ImpaCT!  

The State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation (DOT), is now accepting applications for Transportation Engineer Trainee (Engineering) positions within the Bureau of Engineering and Construction, Office of Engineering, in Newington, CT. It is the DOT's mission to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and the region. Learn more about our mission, vison, and values here

Current Engineering students who will be graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering by the end of August 2021 are strongly encouraged to apply! 

The Role: Transportation Engineer Trainee positions are entry-level engineering positions and primarily perform transportation design and related engineering work. Transportation Engineer Trainees receive training to develop technical engineering skills/knowledge and 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. Discover the opportunity to utilize computer aided design software (Microstation) and other applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel. In this role you'll be able to showcase your oral, written, organizational and interpersonal skills. You'll read/analyze construction plans and estimates. You will also be expected to problem solve, recommend, and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.   

Application Details: Please attach your resume within the Resume tab of your application. Please also list your Driver's license number, expiration date, and issuing State, Engineer in Training license number (if applicable) and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of your application. In the location section of your application select Newington, or all. Failure to complete any of these steps may result in not being considered for this role.   

What We Can Offer You: Competitive starting salary, excellent State benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan options, alternate work schedule options and a culture that promotes work-life balanceWe also offer the convenience of an on-site, low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging at our Newington, CT Headquarters facility. DOT facilities have ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation. 

Watch the video below to see what Transportation Engineers do at the CT DOT!
           

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. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, available to travel to and attend trainings, conferences, public meetings, field reviews, etc. both within and outside of normal working hours when necessary. 

Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.

NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to answer additional questions and/or submit additional documentation which support your 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.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however applications to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in this job classification.

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 regarding this recruitment please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov. 

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:

PAVEMENT DESIGN: Pavement engineers have the unique opportunity to provide design and technical support for projects that span across Connecticut’s roughly 10,000 lane-mile roadway network. This provides both a challenging and rewarding work environment that allows you to make an impact on many different projects. Engineers in the Pavement Design section:

  • Perform project-level pavement evaluations
  • Design and review pavement structures for state and local projects
  • Select and scope projects for various programs from preservation to major rehabilitation
  • Evaluate and implement emerging design methodologies, new materials, and innovative construction practices
  • Provide construction support for pavement projects
  • Perform safety assessments related to pavement friction characteristics
  • Utilize problem solving, interpersonal and technical skills to develop new programs and strategies that improve the condition and quality of pavements in Connecticut
  • Share knowledge by participating in workshops, peer exchanges and research studies

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

FACILITIES DESIGN: The Facilities Design Unit is a multidisciplinary design unit that provides in-house and consultant engineering design and technical support services in the areas of Civil, Architectural, Structural, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. The primary focus is the renovation or new construction of facilities that support the roadway, bridge, rail transit, and bus transit operations. These projects include highway maintenance and repair facilities, rail stations, rail maintenance facilities, track, signal and catenary for rail operations, bus maintenance facilities, parking garages, salt sheds and both above ground and underground storage tanks. 


Positions may also be available in other program areas such as hydraulics and drainage, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, 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

  • Academic, internship, or work history experience in transportation engineering. 
  • Possession of a civil engineering degree or other engineering degree in a position-relevant discipline.
  • 3.0 or higher grade-point average in relevant engineering courses.
  • Academic, internship, or work history experience utilizing engineering-related computer software. 
  • Experience with presentation skills and oral and written communication skills. 
  • Completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

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.