Civil Engineer 1

Occ. Code 4001200

CIVIL ENGINEER 1, GRADE 20

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Civil Engineers 1, under the general direction of a higher level licensed engineer, perform professional engineering work in the planning, design, inspection, construction supervision, maintenance and technical review and evaluation of roads, bridges, railroads, airport structures, materials, bedrock and geotechnical conditions, waterways, traffic control systems and intersections, and related structures and equipment. In addition, they review consultant and contractor plans and estimates and supervise construction inspection teams.

Although these positions are found in several agencies, most positions exist in the Department of Transportation.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA

Civil Engineers 1 are characterized by performing duties requiring knowledge of engineering theory and principles and the ability to apply this knowledge in evaluating and preparing plans, proposals, designs, specifications, and estimates; evaluating the condition of structures, waterways and roads and determining repair and rehabilitation needs, selecting, from a wide variety of alternatives, the most efficient and effective plan of work; evaluating the compliance of contractors with specifications and commonly accepted construction methods; and evaluating the impact of topographic, structural, and usage factors on existing and proposed structures, waterways, and roads.

Civil Engineers 2 are characterized by the performance of the full range of professional engineering activities which require possession of a Professional Engineer's License. Their duties require a high degree of technical judgment, and resourcefulness in planning, designing, evaluating, and supervising the construction of complex projects.

Transportation Analysts are characterized by developing proposals for transportation systems or policy action and for performing detailed data collection and technical analysis. Incumbents review project proposals and plans; alternative transportation modes; social, economic, and ecological conditions affected by transportation facilities, traffic volume and usage, transportation and highway projects financing, and regulations to assist in local, regional and statewide transportation planning. Incumbents may also be assigned to develop, implement, and revise procedures, information gathering and reporting systems, preparation of reports and manuals, and program methods in support of transportation planning activities and programs.

ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

Assists a Transportation Maintenance Engineer in directing Residency operations by supervising work crews, planning projects, inspecting roads and rights-of-way, and performing administrative work.
Prepares routine project designs, proposals, and specifications and evaluates contract proposals for transportation services, highway and bridge design and construction, utility relocations, railroad crossings, bridge safety and integrity, geotechnical design and construction, maintenance and protection of traffic and other matters concerning public safety.
Prepares project feasibility, scoping studies and traffic forecasts, develops design criteria, prepares environmental studies, prepares highway capacity analyses and develops highway designs.
As engineer in charge of routine construction contracts, manages construction activities to ensure the quality of construction projects in conformity with contract requirements.
Performs structural inspections in accordance with policies and procedures established by both State and Federal Law, sometimes requiring the climbing of structures.
Evaluates the condition of existing highways and bridges and structures by collecting and analyzing data and field investigation, selects tests to be conducted and interprets test results, and recommends corrective action.
Assists in establishing traffic regulations, quality control requirements and quality assurance programs to assure that projects meet specified Department requirements concerning capacity, operational and safety conditions of the highway corridor.
Performs traffic engineering investigations and traffic signal design and accident studies in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Recommends appropriate actions based on findings.
Develops and implements traffic signal and signal system operations and timing.
Performs and evaluates traffic analyses to determine the transportation impact of private development.
Assists in developing policies and programs for bridge, pavement, safety, and congestion management systems to set priorities for cost-effective remedial work.
Prepares hydraulic studies and foundation reports, and performs structural designs, including load rating analyses.
Evaluates existing soil, rock, and groundwater conditions; develops subsurface exploration and testing programs; conducts detailed subsurface stability and settlement analyses; conducts pavement design and subdrainage analyses; and provides detailed geotechnical designs.
Assists in establishing quality control requirements and quality assurance programs to assure that designs and materials used in a project meet the specified quality requirements.
Participates in the evaluation of contract claims against the State or State claims against contractors by analyzing claims, preparing engineering documentation for the Attorney General's Office, preparing exhibits, inspecting and evaluating construction, consulting with firms, agency staff, and attorneys, attending pretrial and settlement conferences. Incumbents assist in preparing rebuttals, reviewing the court's decision and preparing reasons to appeal or accept judgment and preparing data for reimbursement on claims involving Federal funds.
Participates in preliminary and final review of project proposals.
Assists in administering the waterways maintenance and engineering program.
Assists in supervising the inventory of roads, structures, and equipment, including evaluating condition and determining maintenance and rehabilitation needs.
Assists in developing, evaluating, implementing, and revising maintenance and engineering policies, procedures, and standards.
May be assigned to work on special engineering projects.
Supervises and coordinates the work of subordinate engineers and technicians.

INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION

Incumbents work under the supervision of higher level licensed engineers and professional staff who make assignments, review and evaluate work, provide technical advice, and direct projects; however, Civil Engineers1 are expected to complete their assignments with relative independence and their work is expected to be technically accurate, complete, and in compliance with engineering principles and theories. The nature of the work performed often requires that incumbents make frequent field trips and work independently in the field. On major projects or inspections, however, they may be accompanied by subordinates, contractor representatives, and higher level engineering staff.

COMPLEXITY

Incumbents plan and schedule projects; review work for compliance with schedules, procedures and guidelines; resolve difficult or complex problems; and accept or reject recommendations, analyses, and project plans and designs. Because Civil Engineers 1 are performance level positions, their work is expected to be technically accurate.

COMMUNICATION

Civil Engineers 1 have frequent written and oral communications with supervisors, subordinates, contractors, and work crews. They have less frequent oral and written communications with public officials and users of public roads and structures to obtain, exchange, verify, and provide information; resolve problems; provide technical advice; and provide analyses, reports, and recommendations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

As assigned, Civil Engineers 1 train and supervise subordinate engineers, technicians, seasonal construction inspectors, clerical workers, and maintenance and repair crews by making assignments, planning, scheduling, and coordinating work, evaluating performance, providing technical assistance and training, and reviewing work performed for accuracy, completeness, and compliance to standards.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of the agency's construction inspection program.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and procedures of civil engineering, including surveying and related computations.
Knowledge of construction materials, methods, standards and tests.
Knowledge of bridge technology and standards.
Knowledge of applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing civil engineering design and construction.
Knowledge of the planning, design, construction and maintenance of highways and transportation facilities.
Knowledge of basic computer hardware and software capabilities related to general civil engineering application and activity.
Ability to train and supervise subordinate staff.
Ability to prepare finished plans, designs, specifications, and narrative reports.
Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate, and evaluate repair, maintenance and construction programs.
Ability to establish cooperative relationships with subordinates, co-workers, contractors and their staff, and other officials.
Ability to select, from a variety of alternatives, the most effective and cost efficient methods of work accomplishment.
Ability to design construction proposals.
Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate information from a variety of sources and prepare recommendations and proposals.
Ability to perform complex mathematical and engineering calculations.
Ability to analyze the condition of roads, structures, equipment, embankments, waterways, and construction projects and determine maintenance, repair and construction needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

One year permanent competitive service in an Engineering or Drafting title allocated to Grade 15 or above.

NOTE: For current information on minimum qualifications contact the Division of Staffing Services.