Engineer Of Bridges And Structures

Essential Functions

This position reports to the Director of the Office of Highways Project Implementation (OHPI).Reporting to this position are the chiefs of the Bridge Planning Section the Bridge Design Section the Structural Services Section the Services Development Section and an Executive Secretary II.

This position is responsible for planning directing and coordinating the activities of the bureau which include the establishment of policies standards and procedures to be used in the planning designing inspection repair and preparation of structure plans for all types of highway bridges structural supports for road signs circular conduits and other special structures for highways; the preparation of geotechnical reports determination of load carrying capacity of structures for legal and permit loads; the review processing and approval of fabrication drawings for steel pre-stressed concrete and aluminum structures and the field inspection and approval of their addition this position must monitor the planning and programming of the departments six-year bridge program for priority and cost provide quality assurance of statewide bridge inspections and keep abreast of bridge construction and repairs.

The most unique aspect of this position is the highly specialized and diversified scope of the operation that this position directs encompassing many technical disciplines including structural civil hydraulic and foundation engineering as well as greatest challenge to this position is the requirement that the incumbent possess the experience and knowledge to evaluate the highly technical recommendations made by subordinate staff and provide sound counsel engineering judgements and position is accountable for providing expertise on all bridge problems faced by the department.

This position is personally responsible for directing and coordinating activities of the bureau determining and developing operational policies including policy for bridge inspections to meet the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) defining work responsibilities formulating the operating budget and providing for organization training and assignment of bureau matters of significance or importance between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the BBS are referred to the incumbent prior to submission to the FHWA for position must approve the proposed plans for all new bridges on the state highway system and those required by statute and policy on the local public highway system in the state of Illinois.

Essential Functions continued

The incumbent accomplishes accountabilities through the following staff:

The Bridge Design Section Chief who is accountable for managing and directing the design and preparation of all bridge and structure plans for the department;computer drafting and bridge analysis; the initiation development and dissemination of all policies design procedures and structural theories used in bridge or structure type selection on our highway system; the development of specifications and provisions for all materials and procedures used in bridges and structures; the preparation of bridge and structure estimates of cost and time; the evaluation and utilization of new structure types products techniques and materials; review of structure shop plans directing steel fabrication inspection and Quality Assurance (QA);and the resolution of bridge and structure construction problems.

The Bridge Planning Section Chief who is accountable for managing the departments bridges and structures planning activities and development of departmental policies and procedures relating to bridge planning hydraulics drainage soils and foundations.

The Structural Services Section Chief who is accountable for managing and directing diverse and highly technical structural engineering activities and for developing departmental policies and procedures relating to local bridges bridge repairs bridge capacity ratings and overweight permits repair plans and inventory computer drafting and bridge analysis bridge inspection to meet NBIS and QA of bridge inspections statewide.

The Services Development Section Chief who is accountable for records management and retrieval bridge inspection crews data collection for bridge inspection and coordination of the development and maintenance of current and future automated computer incumbent tracks workloads recommends staffing and evaluates and responds to technical and operational addition the incumbent develops controls or coordinates the bureaus budget personnel training issues consultant contracts files and word processing.

The Executive Secretary who performs highly responsible complex and confidential secretarial and administrative duties for the bureau.

Essential Functions continued

This position is afforded extremely wide latitude in technical decision making and policy making and keeps the Director of OHPI informed of bureau and procedures of major significance that impact other areas of activities or involve large amounts of money are subject to approval of the Director OHPI and the Secretary of incumbent has authority to organize train and/or assign personnel within the bureau within accepted personnel policies.
This position comes into regular contact with the Bureaus of Design and Environment Local Roads and Streets Operations Construction and Materials as well as their counterparts in the districts acting in an advisory capacity providing the technical expertise required relative to bridges and incumbent also maintains significant contact with the FHWA United States Coast Guard American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Corps of Engineers and consultants retained by the state during the course of structural plan initiation to position must also maintain regular contact with private industrial organizations with regard to the latest developments in new materials design concepts and construction incumbent serves as co-chair of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)/Association of General Contractors of Illinois bridge overnight travel both in-state and out-of-state is required by this position.

The incumbents performance may be measured by the quality of the implementation of the annual Bridge Highway Program.

Principal Accountabilities

• Directs the development of structural design policies and practices of the department.
• Directs the detailed planning and selection of structural type and size for all bridges under the jurisdiction of the department.
• Develops designs provides structural analysis and prepares contract plans for bridges and structures. Analyzes and approves designs submitted by consultants and local agencies.
• Directs activities in connection with soils and foundation studies for structures preparation of geotechnical reports and field investigation and analysis of soil related problems.
• Monitors the planning and programming of the departments six-year bridge program for priority and cost and keeps abreast of bridge repairs and construction.
• Directs the hydraulic analysis of all proposed stream crossings and the establishment and maintenance of drainage policies.
• Provides local capacity ratings for bridges and determines necessary load restriction.
• Organizes and staffs the bureau including consultant staffing. This includes the training motivation evaluation and development of personnel to ensure the efficient performance of their responsibilities.
• Directs the development of policies for bridge inspection to meet NBIS and provides QA of bridge inspections statewide.
• Serves as a member on the AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures as a voting member. Also serves on various other AASHTO technical committees.
• Ensures compliance with departmental safety rules and practices and performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois.
• Current registration as a Licensed Structural Engineer in the State of Illinois.
• 12 years of experience in civil engineering including seven years supervising staff and managing engineering functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws controlling the activities administered.
• Oral and written communication skills.

Conditions of Employment

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering with specialized knowledge in highway and bridge engineering improvements.
• Ability to initiate coordinate and direct large-scale engineering programs or research and planning activities of diverse technical nature.
• Occasional travel both in-state and out-of-state which may include overnight stays.
• Valid drivers license.
• Successful completion of a background check.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment the employee shall prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.