STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Bridge Load Rating Engineer

Transportation Engineer 2 (Engineering)

Recruitment #240426-8839FO-001

Introduction


Do you enjoy being challenged with complex structural analysis?  
Want to utilize your math skills and structural engineering experience to evaluate bridge load carrying capacity?   
If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!


ABOUT THE ROLE
The State of ConnecticutDepartment of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting applications for Bridge Load Rating Engineers within the State Bridge Design unit in the Division of Bridges in Newington. The official State job classification is Transportation Engineer 2 (Engineering).

Load Rating Engineers in the State Bridge Design Unit are vital to maintaining and improving upon the State's bridge inventory.  Load Rating engineers perform complex structural analysis to determine each bridge's capacity to safely carry live loads in its current condition. 

Duties include:
  • Utilize finite element analysis software to perform complex structural analysis of Connecticut’s bridges
  • Perform calculations and analysis to determine the load carrying capacity of bridges and structures
  • Coordinate with other Department units
  • Conduct field inspections
  • Conduct research and provide technical assistance
Load rating reports are used:
  • to determine which structures may require remedial action
  • to determine safe posting limits for structures with substandard load capacities
  • to assist in the most effective use of available resources for rehabilitation or replacement
  • to assist in permit vehicle reviews
  • to satisfy FHWA requirements that every structure in the State on the National Bridge Inventory has an associated load rating in accordance with the most recent AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation

WE CAN OFFER YOU:
  • Competitive starting salary
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform an article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings 
  • Paid time off including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • A culture that encourages work/life balance
  • Professional growth and development opportunities 
  • On-site low-cost fitness center, on-site cafeteria and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging
  • Ample free parking with easy access from major highways or by public transportation
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information
  • Work for a Forbes top company: State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • Work for Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE's) Employer of the Year 

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • First shift
  • Location: Newington, CT
  • Hybrid (office/telework) may be available
APPLICATION DETAILS
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.  Please list your Driver's license number, expiration date, and issuing State, Engineer in Training or Professional Engineer license number (if applicable) and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold, in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of your application.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY 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 software to perform finite element analysis 
  • Showcase your oral, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills
ABOUT US
The mission of the DOT is to provide a safe and efficient intermodal transportation network that improves the quality of life and promotes economic vitality for the State and region. Learn more about our mission, vision, and values here!

Watch the video below to learn what Transportation Engineers do at the Connecticut DOT!  


Selection Plan

To Apply:
  • 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.
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited.  If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the individual listed on this job posting. 
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
  • 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 current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.  
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
  • Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
Important Information After You Apply:
  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview. 
  • 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.
  • Note: 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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • 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 for future vacancies in this job class 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.
Connect With Us:
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 Sharon McIntosh, at Sharon.McIntosh@ct.gov.

Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Airport Authority, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of engineering or related tasks in one or more aspects of transportation engineering projects or studies in the following areas: administration, bridge design, design, drainage, electrical, foundations, hydraulics, maintenance, operations, pavement management, regulation compliance, rehabilitation, research, traffic or utilities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Acts as a team member in preparation and review of plans and estimates for construction or maintenance of bridges, structures, highways and transportation facilities; performs designs for horizontal and vertical geometry necessary for development of highway design plans, profiles and cross sections; develops necessary coordinate geometry for layout of design plans; prepares and reviews computations for storm drainage systems and culvert designs; assists in project budget preparation, report writing, general planning and administration of unit work from an engineering project coordination and technical stand point; conducts engineering procedural studies; prepares research and administrative reports; plans and oversees highway maintenance; oversees activities of lower grade engineers and technical aides in traffic control and operation studies, designs and analyses; prepares and reviews storm drainage systems and culvert designs and computations for watersheds of 1000 acres and less; performs mathematical calculations in development of flood profiles, synthetic hydrographs, flood routing, energy dissipation, pollution abatement and erosion protection; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of more than one specialized field involved in transportation engineering such as bridge design, foundations, highway design, transportation facilities design, transportation planning, maintenance, drainage or hydraulics, research, pavement design, pavement management and traffic; considerable skill in use of computer aided design and drafting (CADD) applications; considerable technical skills in preparation of engineering and administrative reports; skill and ability to analyze and evaluate engineering, highway, structural and pavement design, hydraulic and traffic problems and provide effective solutions; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to perform complex mathematical calculations; ability to develop and interpret plans and specifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and two (2) years of experience in a professional transportation engineering or transportation construction engineering capacity.

Note: For State employees, one (1) year of experience must have been at the level of Transportation Engineer 1 (Engineering) or (Construction Engineering). 

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 Bachelor’s degree 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 Bachelor’s degree requirement.

3. A Master’s degree in engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with structural course work, or a Bachelor’s degree in Structural Engineering from an accredited college or university
  • 3.0 or higher grade-point average in relevant engineering and math courses
  • Structural engineering experience
  • Experience utilizing computer software such as STAAD Pro or other similar finite element analysis software
  • Experience with presentation skills and oral and written communication skills
  • Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam/Engineer in Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Connecticut
  • Knowledge and/or experience with CTDOT Standard Specifications and CTDOT Design Manuals
  • Experience using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project and Microsoft Access
  • Experience efficiently managing large workloads
  • Education or experience with interpreting construction plans and specifications

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 danger of injury or physical harm from highway or construction environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to 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.