STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Transportation Engineer Trainee

Recruitment #230217-8741FS-RP

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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 positions throughout the State!

Current students who will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering by the end of May 2023 are strongly encouraged to apply!

DOT Engineering Benefit Offerings:
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage 
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings 
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and professional development opportunities
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
THE ROLE
Transportation Engineer Trainees work in many different capacities agency-wide. Transportation Engineer Trainee positions are available throughout the Bureau of Engineering and Construction and may be available in other program areas including the Office of State Traffic Administration, Bureau of Public Transportation, and Bureau of Policy and Planning.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday – Friday
  • First Shift
  • Location: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT
  • Hybrid telework schedules available
  • 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.
*New hires to State service start at Paygrade FS 18, step 5, currently $69,128 annually.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY 
Transportation Engineer Trainees receive training to develop technical engineering skills and knowledge. After successfully completing your one-year training program, you will be promoted to the target class of Transportation Engineer 1 (Engineering) or Transportation Engineer 1 (Construction Engineering). After successfully completing two years as a Transportation Engineer 1, you will be promoted to Transportation Engineer 2.

DISCOVER THE CHANCE TO: 
  • Problem solve, recommend, and implement effective solutions in a timely manner 
  • Contribute to providing safe and efficient transportation improvements for the traveling public 
  • Utilize computer aided design software (Microstation) and other applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel 
  • Showcase your oral, written, organizational and interpersonal skills 
  • Read and analyze or prepare construction plans and estimates
Application Details: Please 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.  

WHO WE ARE
At DOT, our mission is 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!

             

Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Please 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.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • For assistance in applying, please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancies are listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
  • 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
Connect With Us:
Due to the large volume of applications received, the State of Connecticut is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Hayley Newhouse at Hayley.Newhouse@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



In the DIVISION OF HIGHWAY DESIGN engineers have the challenge to not only improve Connecticut’s transportation system to meet operational and safety needs, but also to balance improvements against environmental, historic, cultural, community, aesthetic, and economic impacts. Engineers in the Division of Highway Design provide lead services in the development of projects that improve the safety, capacity, and efficiency of the State’s transportation system and find solutions to challenging roadway and multi-modal improvement problems. The State Design Unit consists of in-house highway design engineers who provide lead or support services in the development of capital projects. They develop design alternatives into contract plans, specifications, and construction estimates, provide technical guidance on elements such as roadway geometry, roadside safety, and highway drainage, and they also coordinate roadway improvements with stakeholders such as municipal leaders, neighborhood groups, businesses, and homeowners. The Consultant Design Unit is responsible for overseeing engineering consultant firms that assist the Department in designing larger complex projects. The Project Development Unit is responsible for identifying and scoping all transportation projects for the Division of Highway Design as well as managing all roadway related assets.

Engineers in the DIVISION OF BRIDGES work with a variety of transportation structures. They provide lead or support services in the development of capital projects as well as inspection of in-service structures. They use advanced analysis software and Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) technology to prepare designs including geometrics, drainage, structural analysis including load ratings, creating bid documents for traffic and roadway structures, as well as bridge rehabilitations or replacements, and develop specifications and cost estimates. They administer projects from project concept, through design including coordinating permits, and coordinating with municipalities and utilities, then follow the project through to construction. During construction, they review contractor developed drawings to facilitate construction, ensure contract compliance and provide support to address construction complications. Bridge engineers also perform structure inspections assuring safety, capacity and efficiency of the State’s bridge infrastructure as well as carry out detailed geotechnical analysis and hydraulic analysis and review analysis done by outside parties. In addition, bridge engineers manage projects and programs designed by consultant firms.

Engineers in the DIVISION OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING conduct traffic engineering studies and perform traffic flow analyses. They also develop designs for traffic signal systems and traffic control signals and review major commercial developments for their effect on highway operations. The Traffic Safety Engineering unit works to prevent fatal and serious injury crashes. Traffic safety engineers work to implement new and innovative solutions proven to save lives and reduce serious injuries.

The DIVISION OF FACILITIES AND TRANSIT consists of the Facilities Design, AEC Applications, Environmental Compliance, and Engineering Services (Pavement Design and Utilities Coordination) units. The Facilities Design Unit 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, electric vehicle charging stations and solar array fields. Engineers in AEC Applications are responsible for developing and establishing electronic design standards and computer applications development, support and training. Environmental Compliance provides technical support and regulatory guidance on matters related to hazardous wastes and regulated contaminated materials. Pavement Design engineers provide design and technical support for projects that span across Connecticut’s roughly 10,000 lane-mile roadway network.

Engineers in Project Administration are the in-house team responsible for advising, monitoring and delivering the Capital Program. The Contract Development team oversees the development of contract documents and reviews plans and specifications for consistency, completeness and accuracy to ensure capital projects are suitable for advertising. The Cost Estimating team prepares final confidential cost estimates and evaluates bids received on Department advertised projects. The Asset Management team is responsible for implementing the Department’s Highway and Transit Asset Management Plans in regards to inventory, condition, lifecycle management, risk management, financial planning and investment strategies to maintain assets in a State of Good Repair, and is responsible for regularly monitoring asset performance metrics and financial investments. The Pavement Management team is responsible for compiling pavement condition information and proposing cost-effective treatment strategies to optimize investments in pavements. The Program and Project Management team supports the Chief Engineer’s office in Capital Program management oversight and project prioritization as well as the identification and tracking of risks to project delivery. The ADA Engineering Coordination team monitors and reports on the Department’s ADA compliance as it relates to activities within the public right-of-way.

In the Bureau of Public Transportation, you will be assigned a variety of tasks related to rail planning, design, construction, maintenance of railway and safety. This includes field inspection, data collection, report reviews, design reviews, coordination with the various freight and facility operators, construction inspection, force account oversight, invoicing management of maintenance of way activities, safety oversight and preparation of reports. Some of the positions will be involved in the electrification of the Connecticut transit system including the design and construction of new and existing transit facilities to charge, store and maintain the new fleet of state-of-the-Art Battery Electric Buses.

The duties will include traveling to worksites for field inspection, data collection, coordination with the various Transit, freight and facility operators, construction inspection, force account project oversight, invoicing, management of maintenance of way activities, safety oversight and preparation of reports.

The Office of Rail is responsible for operations of the New Haven Line, Hartford Line, and Shore Line East commuter rail services including operational planning, rail fare policies, fare revenue projections, ridership data, and schedule changes; administers the capital programs for the Connecticut-owned portion of the New Haven Line, Waterbury Line, Danbury Line, New Canaan Line, Hartford Line, Shore Line East, and Connecticut-owned rail freight lines; conducts rail planning studies; and coordinates with federal, state, regional, local, and railroad officials.  The Rail Design and Construction Unit is responsible for providing the project management function for all rail capital projects including project initiation, engineering and design, contracts and agreements, construction inspection, and invoice review. Develops and implements rail infrastructure renewal and capital maintenance programs with operating railroads.  Assists with the development of long- and short-range capital project budgets and schedules.  The Rail Operations Unit oversees the day-to-day operations of the New Haven Line, Shore Line East and Hartford Line commuter rail service in conjunction with contract service providers (Metro-North, AMTRAK, and TASI). Responsibilities include analysis, investigation, and resolution of New Haven Line, Shore Line East, and Hartford Line service problems or proposals relating to schedules, fares, equipment, and operations in general; the property management function for state-owned rail rights-of-way; provides project management of rolling stock purchases or repairs; provides oversight of all maintenance equipment.

The Office of Transit and Ridesharingis responsible for overseeing CTtransit bus operations in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, New Britain, Bristol, Meriden, Wallingford, and Waterbury including monitoring and developing systems for ridership data, and schedule changes; administering the capital programs for those programs and managing the procurement of all rolling stock, i.e., Buses. Coordinates with federal, state, regional, local, and Transit officials. The Design and Construction Unit is responsible for providing the project management function for all bus capital projects including project initiation, engineering and design, contracts and agreements, construction inspection, and invoice review. Develops and implements transit infrastructure program and capital maintenance programs with FTA. Assist with the development of long- and short-range capital project budgets and schedules. Additionally, the Transit group oversees the budgeting and capital plan of all other urban and rural transit agencies.
The CTDOT is mandated to convert the transit system in Connecticut to 100% electrification by 2035 and has an ambitious program to update and electrify all Transit facilities in the state of Connecticut

Positions may also be available in other program areas. Visit our website to learn more about the Connecticut DOT!

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

Possession of a Bachelor's degree.
NOTE:
  1. 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.
  2. Candidates cannot be appointed until all degree requirements are complete.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. 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.
2. 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.
NOTE: The following additional substitutions are allowed for the Target Class of Transportation Engineer 1 (Construction Engineering):
1. Possession of Land Surveyor (LS) 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 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.
5. Possession of an American Welding Society (AWS) Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification, at the level of a Welding Inspector (WI) or above, may be substituted for the General Experience requirement.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Academic history or work experience in position-relevant engineering area
  • Possession of a civil engineering degree for design-related position
  • Possession of an engineering degree in a position-relevant area for specialty positions (i.e., Electrical Engineering degree for position in Electrical Engineering)
  • 3.0 or higher grade-point average in relevant engineering courses 
  • Experience through academic history, internships, or work experience:
  • Experience utilizing engineering-related computer software
  • Experience working as part of a team 
  • Experience providing verbal and written communication to a diverse population, including presentation skills 
  • Experience using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Access 
  • Experience multitasking and managing large workloads
  • Completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam or Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) 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.





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