Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis required for the design of large and complex drainage systems involving bridges, culverts, detention basins, pumping stations, and storm sewers.

Annual projects: 120 

Contract value: $40,000,000 to $60,000,000

This position reports to the Hydraulics Unit Chief. Reporting to this position are the Senior Hydraulics Engineer, Hydraulics Engineer, Associate Hydraulics Engineer, Assistant Hydraulics Engineer, and Hydraulics Engineer Trainee. 

This position operates within an environment of management and investigation of hydraulic projects and personnel, performing complex hydrologic and hydraulic computations, exercising sound engineering judgment, and displaying knowledge of hydraulic engineering complexity. The incumbent ensures drainage policies and procedures are kept up-to-date so that they reflect current federal and state laws and regulations along with sound design practices, public safety, and economic considerations. In addition, the incumbent operates within an environment of special projects undertaken by the Hydraulics Unit. Examples may include the development and updating of a drainage manual to provide consistent hydraulic design policies for the department. The incumbent is an instructor in training classes for the Bureau of Local Roads and Streets and the specific task training programs. 

Typical problems faced by the incumbent are widely varied in scope and require a thorough knowledge of drainage policy and law. The incumbent develops, maintains, and utilizes a high level of technical hydrologic expertise. The incumbent investigates and provides solutions for drainage problems that the districts are unable to resolve. This means that the incumbent should have knowledge concerning litigation and the investigation of complaints related to actual or alleged hydrological damage to private property. The incumbent investigates, analyzes, and develops emergency resolutions to preserve the structural integrity of a bridge from the forces of ice, debris, or scour. Another problem is the necessity to evaluate, interpret, and implement new legislation in a timely manner. The greatest challenge faced by the incumbent includes the thorough investigation of special projects to ensure the final product provides acceptable solutions. These projects require that detailed analysis of complex problems be performed quickly as program deadlines must be met while developing and maintaining up-to-date drainage policies and procedures.

Job Responsibilities Continued

The incumbent is personally responsible for the completion of special projects. The incumbent s accountable for the coordination and review of the development of a drainage manual which requires the monitoring of differing solutions to hydraulic problems and the preparation of recommended policies, coordination of revisions and additions, and distribution of the manual. The incumbent evaluates and approves hydraulic reports prepared by consultants to ensure hydraulic adequacy, utilization of the most economical design, conformance to policy, and compliance with permit requirements of the Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Water Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, and United States Coast Guard. The incumbent analyzes flow distribution between multiple structures, flow over the roadway, and orifice flow for complex structures. The incumbent oversees special design details, unique notes, complex scour computations, and evaluates field investigations to ensure structure stability. The incumbent evaluates hydrographs, stage-storage curves, rating curves, and storage routing analysis for the design of detention basins and pumping stations. The incumbent evaluates and approves pump cycling and usable storage calculations and analyzes head losses through the system. 

This incumbent accomplishes responsibilities through the following: 

Senior Hydraulics Engineer who is accountable to prepare and review hydraulic reports, determine flow distribution, conduct field investigations, evaluate pump stations, evaluate hydraulic computer programs, and serve as an instructor in hydraulic analysis and computer applications. 

Hydraulics Engineer who is accountable to develop complex hydraulic projects, provide the hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and prepare and review hydraulic reports for highway stream crossings. 

Associate Hydraulics Engineer who is accountable to perform routine hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and prepare and review hydraulic reports required for the design of bridges and culverts over stream crossings. 

Assistant Hydraulics Engineer who is accountable to perform simple hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and prepare and review hydraulic reports required for the design of bridges and culverts. 

Hydraulics Engineer Trainee who is accountable to assist with simple hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and prepare and review hydraulic reports required for the design of bridges and culverts. 

The incumbent functions with minimal supervision and guidance and is given broad latitude in pursuing objectives. The incumbent is guided by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) specifications and applicable departmental policies and state drainage laws. 

Internal contacts include staff in the districts and other bureaus when resolving drainage problems. External contacts are with staff in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), United States Geological Survey, Soil Conservation Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Water Resources, and consultants. Occasional statewide travel with overnight stays is required.

The effectiveness of this position can be measured by the incumbent's ability to provide timely solutions to complex problems and proper administration, supervision, and management of the various and diverse functions assigned. 

Principal Accountabilities

1. Ensures the development of policies and procedures which will yield practical, economical, and environmentally acceptable designs meeting the departmental goals and objectives.
2. Ensures the accurate and timely completion and approval of hydraulic reports for bridge and culvert drainage structures and conducts special studies to provide sound information for resolving hydraulic problems.
3. Coordinates the development of a drainage manual to provide consistent drainage policies based on sound engineering principles.
4. Analyzes hydrologic and hydraulic problems and the computer-aided hydraulic design systems.
5. Instructs district personnel and consultants in proper hydraulic analysis and computer applications.
6. Motivates, evaluates, and develops staff to maintain a high level of employee morale and work performance.
7. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements 

• Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.
• Five years of experience in civil engineering.
• Valid driver's license.
• Occasional statewide travel with overnight stays.
• Successful completion of a background screening.

Position Desirables 

• Knowledge and experience in the specific area of hydraulics and hydrology.
• Supervisory experience.
• Ability to train and motivate personnel.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.