Problem Solving

Construction Engineer

A Highway Construction Engineer is responsible for overseeing roadway projects to completion, on time and within budget. Duties include field layout of projects, general inspection, project management, working with staff, and communicating with clients. The Engineer may be called upon to assist in design engineering duties including: preparing reports, plans, and specifications; researching design standards and code requirements; and conducting field investigations of design problems. The Engineer collaborates with other engineers, technicians, planners, and surveyors.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Control and/or review all project forecasts, schedules, cost estimates, and reports.
Prepare construction cost estimates, project budgets, schedules, or specifications for labor or materials.
Prepare reports and conduct studies of engineering methods, codes, processes, and materials.
Participate in contract bidding, negotiation, or administration.
Responsible for quality control. Investigate or test construction materials to determine compliance with specifications or standards including environmental standards.
Inspect completed transportation projects to ensure safety or compliance with applicable standards or regulations including environmental regulations.
Confer with contractors, utility companies, and the public.
Conduct feasibility and operating studies aimed at evaluating alternative innovative designs.
Develop plans to deconstruct damaged or obsolete roadways or other transportation structures.

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Maintenance Safety Manager

A Highway Maintenance Safety Manager is responsible for oversight of maintenance activities in a given administrative district, including overseeing roadway repair, maintenance, and improvement projects, winter maintenance operations, and facilities and asset management. The Maintenance Safety Manager supervises maintenance staff; roadway monitoring, inspection, and permitting processes; disaster and emergency response; and roadway inspection and hazardous materials procedures. As such, execution of duties has a direct impact on the safety of both maintenance workers and the traveling public. Maintenance Safety Managers provide leadership on road safety promotion by means of maintenance activities and practices. Safety-related competencies include knowledge of systemic safety principles to assess risk, develop safety plans, and promote, implement, and evaluate maintenance impact on road user safety.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Identify hazards and control measures for maintenance activities.
Develop incident management and other safety plans based on risk assessment, incorporating knowledge of safety regulations and compliance measures.
Ensure effective traffic control techniques are in place to safeguard workers and those passing through a work zone or site during maintenance activities.
Implement effective road safety countermeasures through maintenance activities.
Ensure maintenance staff are able to identify, report, and/or remediate road safety deficiencies.
Promote a positive organizational safety culture.

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Road Construction Manager

A Construction Manager for heavy civil and highway/roadway projects is responsible for the overall completion and management of construction projects. Responsibilities include oversight of project quality control, financial controls, production efficiency, site safety, and project management systems and reporting. The position requires knowledge of construction and project management practices, equipment, standards and policies, and job site reporting. Construction Managers provide leadership on safety promotion on the project site. Safety-related competencies include knowledge of systemic safety principles to assess risk, develop safety plans, and promote, implement, and evaluate project saftey.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Identify hazards and control measures for each phase of a project.
Develop safety plans based on risk assessment, incorporating knowledge of safety regulations and compliance measures.
Utilize effective traffic control techniques to ensure safety of project site workers and those passing through a work zone.
Implement effective safety measures on site and use safety management techniques to conduct incident investigations, identify deficiencies, and implement effective countermeasures.
Understand systemic road safety principles and crash reduction factors; ensure road design and construction practices integrate road safety best practices.

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GIS Analyst

GIS Analysts use geographic information system technology to identify assets, variables, and trends in different locations. Their work involves collaborating with computer-aided design (CAD) technicians, developing web apps and tools, and integrating GIS with other technologies. GIS analysts usually work regular business hours, with occasional weekend work necessary to meet important deadlines. Some amount of travel may be required for field work. Typically more for entry-level employees, this position often does not require significant research experience, ability to do advanced programming, or higher education. The GIS analyst position is well suited to analytical thinkers who enjoy statistics and numerical data, have good communication skills, and work well as part of a team.

Other responsibilities typically include:

Convert paper maps into GIS data sets that can be used to identify where locations have been developed.
Manipulate and analyze geographical information to be presented in reports or presentations.
Maintain a geographical library in accordance with the latest trends and newest information.
Develop internet apps and tools to present GIS data on corporate websites for clients.
Study mathematical styles used in successful GIS plans, programs, and commodities, so that they can be applied or improved upon in other applications.

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