Professional Engineer I, Hydraulics - Greeley

This position is open to Colorado state residents and non-residents.
New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

 

About the Work Unit
This work unit exists to provide hydraulic engineering designs and permit clearances for plans and specifications.  Hydraulic design consists of planning and analysis for the construction, rehabilitation or repair of structures required for conveying or draining water under, along or over Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) highway facilities; permitting supports the same.  Monitor compliance with Federal and State requirements on all in-house, consultant, and Access Permit designs. Monitor consultants for compliance with CDOT drainage manual and project specific needs. In addition, this unit provides hydraulic expertise to the Region’s Maintenance forces and other state and federal agencies.  The unit will also participate in hydrologic and hydraulic research and career development opportunities with the State Hydraulics Engineer office, and has a lead role in developing the 2-Dimensional Quick Check process for delivery to a statewide program and associated training curriculum.

 

About the Position
This position is a fully-operational licensed engineer providing hydraulic engineering, design, and project management expertise to the Region. This includes: Design, Construction, maintenance, access, and local agency support; Project management and management of consultants; Developing 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional hydraulic analyses to inform and value engineer transportation projects in natural waterways; Developing and certifying that drainage plans and specifications for transportation projects meet or exceed professional, state and federal standards by applying hydraulic engineering theories, principles, practices and judgment in project design; Checking and approving the adequacy of drainage reports and hydraulic analyses and the designs of others; Managing the development of drainage project plans and specifications and certifying that drainage plans and specifications for transportation projects meet or exceed professional, state and federal standards by applying engineering theories, principles, practices and judgment in project design; Mentoring and training department personnel on drainage engineering work; Mentoring and training other Region hydraulic engineers and consultants who support CDOT efforts.
 
Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
 Review Drainage Plans, Specifications, and Reports by others 

• Serve as the hydraulic oversight engineer for all assigned CDOT, Local Agency, and Permits projects and submittals. 
• Work includes reviewing drainage construction plans, specifications and reports prepared by consultants, local entities, and private developers to make sure that designs meet appropriate federal, state and local engineering standards. 
• Work with Project Managers in developing work scopes, man-hour estimates, consultant section input and hydraulic deliverables for CDOT projects. 

Hydrologic Analysis and Hydraulic Design

• Apply current engineering hydraulic principles, theories, design specifications, applicable design standards and engineering expertise to develop safe, efficient, and economical hydraulic designs. 
• Analyze roadway and bridge geometry, river modeling and structure opening recommendations and floodplain mapping using existing and emerging technologies. 
• Propose and implement design alternatives or concepts and make recommendations based on professional engineering judgment. 
• Utilize the professional engineering license to stamp and approve designs for assigned projects and use various hydraulic related software packages (HY-8, HEC-RAS, SRH-2D, WMS, etc.). 
• Mentor and train others in the department in drainage engineering, floodplain management, and complex hydraulic analysis.

Field Inspection and Maintenance Consultation 

• Perform field visits for project scoping, site inspection and investigation related to drainage maintenance problems. 
• Be available to quickly identify the source and/or contributing factors of drainage related issues, identify effective solutions and prepare engineering guidance to aid in correcting the problem.  

Committees, Training, Reporting, Meetings, and Requests for Information

• Serve on drainage related and other appropriate committees.
• Coordinate with other hydraulic engineers, other state departments of transportation and other state and federal agencies on committee topics.
• Attend training required to keep up with current standards and best practices or to learn new skills and maintain certifications and licenses.
• Communicate/report decisions, lessons, and meeting minutes from committees and trainings.
• Attend all project meetings (Scoping, FIR, FOR, etc.) to determine and discuss drainage and floodplain related project needs.
• Respond to requests for information.

Project Management

• Use guidelines as appropriate to provide correct pay items and other project budgetary information. 
• Prepare, distribute, and organize all plan documents and bid packages so they are disseminated properly, filed appropriately, and completely as required. 
• Serve as a CDOT representative and provide expertise in meetings with public, local/state/federal entities, businesses, railroads, special interest groups, and utilities.  
• Communicate with personnel in HQ and other Region offices to exchange information, and to request recommendations and clarifications regarding project development and design (i.e. Survey, Bridge, Environmental, Right-of-Way, Hydraulic, Traffic and Maintenance).
• Participate on committees, task forces, and/or steering committees to help CDOT implement improvements and meet department goals.
• Provide direction and resolve conflicting alternatives requested by specialty units.  
• Perform project scheduling and coordinate multiple project efforts to meet advertisement dates-and direct personal and residency efforts to make the various schedules and budgets work.

Consultant Management

• Manage the work of consultants and local agencies in order to accomplish project completions. This includes prioritizing assignments required by the contract. 
• Inspect work performed by the contractor to ensure compliance with the standards and specifications for the particular project.
• Responsible for the work hour estimates for task order preparation, approval and processing of consultant billings, and review of consultant deliverables. 
• Rate and review consultant projects and review consultant and contractor compliance with federally mandated programs and state requirements (i.e. EEO, AA, Davis-Bacon, OSHA. ADA, local ordinances, etc.).
• Develop scope of services and initiate task orders in coordination with Region 2 Business Office’s practice guidelines. 
• Negotiate with consultants the work hours necessary to complete the work as defined in the scope of services.        
• Negotiate and recommend approval of task orders or supplemental contracts required for consultant services.

Lead Working/Mentoring

• As an experienced project manager and subject matter expert will oversee work of other positions at CDOT.
• Will train and mentor less experienced project staff, as well as train consultants on site and off site as needed. 
• The positions that may report to or be mentored by this position include Engineer-in-Training, Engineering Physical Science Assistants, Engineering Physical Science Technicians, Electrical Trades, and Civil Engineering Project Managers. This leadership is not always direct as the official supervisor though these employees may report to this position on a project-by-project basis.

Work Environment

• Daytime hours Monday - Friday
• Daytime travel during business hours to meetings, site visits, and industry events.
• Up to 10% overnight travel to meetings, site visits, and industry events 
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles.