Job & Business Opportunities

Job Summary

This classification is primarily responsible for performing many of the tasks in the following areas: Project Oversight and Management, Civil and Systems Engineering Design, Document and Correspondence Preparation, Radio Communication Assignments, Calendar/Meeting Management and Support, and Field Safety and Management Investigation. This is the entry-level classification in this series, and is typically the trainee level. Work mainly involves the review of information, including summarization, analysis, interpretation and re-presentation in a different format.

Supervision

Supervision Received: This class works under general supervision, wherein the assigned duties require the exercise of judgment or choice among pre-established actions, sometimes without clear precedents and with concern for the consequences of the action. The employee may or may not work in close proximity to his/her supervisor.

This class does not supervise.

Distinguishing Characteristics

N/A

Essential Functions

A. Project Oversight and Management
Duties may include:
Program management of assigned contracts. Develop technical plans and specifications for new contracts. Oversee activities for LRT projects with multiple contractors and agencies. Negotiate new contract terms and conditions for existing contracts. Review and approve field work and invoices. Communicate project status effectively, both orally and in writing. Generate issue papers for the District’s Board of Directors. Develop system designs to satisfy the District’s needs and requirements. Monitor contractor performance and accomplishment of contract milestones. Ensure that the contract and final product meet design requirements. Evaluate contractor’s bids and ensure they have the ability to perform to contract requirements. Prepare and review contract technical specifications to ensure accuracy and legal compliance.

B. Civil and Systems Engineering Design
Duties may include:
Complete engineering assignments using judgment and initiative in problem solving. Develop and prepare engineering designs, drawings, and technical specifications. Coordinate with external consultants to achieve design scope requirements. Interpret various codes and standards. Provide input and generate engineering estimates of design projects. Ensure final design meets plans and specifications. Provide input at pre-bid and pre-construction related contractor meetings. Develop system designs to satisfy the District’s needs and requirements. Review and modify AutoCAD drawings of rail- related systems for contract preparation. Apply technological advances in the industry to improve systems designed for the District. Coordinate system designs with other District engineers to ensure total system. Other duties as assigned.

C. Document and Correspondence Preparation
Duties may include:
Generate formal responses to inquiries regarding clarification and direction relating to contracts. Generate correspondence to contractors detailing ongoing project requirements and changes. Generate meeting minutes for record keeping of agreements and action items. Prepare formal responses to design Requests for Information (RFI’s). Provide design review comments to peer staff on other projects. Prepare and review contract technical specifications to ensure accuracy and legal compliance. Prepare issue and history papers for District Board approval of various contracting phases. Prepare e-mail correspondence for project coordination and contracting. Prepare and transmit electronic files for consultant review. Other duties as assigned.

D. Radio Communication Assignments
Duties may include:
Inform light rail metro control when light rail vehicles are expected present on new rail extensions. Coordinate and manage “Red-Tag” service disruptions as required. Coordinate and manage activities via Nextel and/or CB related to Traction Power Substation testing. Coordinate and inform appropriate organizations (e.g., utilities) during light rail testing activities. Other duties as assigned.

E. Calendar/Meeting Management and Support
Duties may include:
Prepare meeting agendas. Arrange and schedule meetings. Reserve meeting rooms. Prepare meeting minutes as a formal record of what transpired. Prepare presentations for meetings. Other duties as assigned.

F. Field Safety and Management Investigation
Duties may include:
Identify unsafe or hazardous light rail situations. Generate and process information to meet light rail safety certification requirements. Ensure applicable codes and standards are met on new light rail projects. Attend meetings related to pre-revenue light rail service safety requirements. Other duties as assigned.

Job Demands

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.


• Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.


• Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.


• Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.


• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.


• Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.


• Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Knowledge and Abilities

Required Knowledge of:

• Civil and systems engineering principles, with emphasis on the contract development process.


• Construction procedures, plans, and specifications.


• State and local agency codes and procedures for construction contracts.


• The District’s internal policies and procedures as they pertain to external contracts.


• Technologies to monitor and direct contractor performance.


• Civil engineering and system design principles, codes, and standards.


• The primary functions of the owner, construction manager, and the procedures for processing changes and deviations to conformed plans.


• Techniques to effectively track meeting agreements and action items.


• Rail safety procedures and protocol.


• Public utilities commission (PUC) requirements.


• Safety certification rail extension requirements.


• Construction materials, methods, processes, procedures, plans, and techniques to monitor and direct contractor performance.

• Learn the District’s policies, procedures, and metro system issues.


• Communicate clearly in writing.


• Time management of multiple projects and meeting deadlines.


• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.


• Resolve and negotiate contract disputes and reconciliation of existing project budgets.


• Negotiate new progress payment conditions.


• Coordinate efforts of internal and external staff to accomplish contract deadlines.


• Negotiate program payment and schedule contract changes to suit the District’s needs.


• Generate design alternatives in a timely manner.


• Meet applicable code requirements with minimal cost and schedule impact.


• Provide direction regarding the altering of designs to meet budget constraints.


• Eliminate or reduce the use of external consultants.


• Keep up with technological advances in the industry.


• Maintain documentation during testing while managing multiple activities.


• Accommodate external “Red Tag” requests at the last minute to disrupt service within set time periods.


• Determine additional changes to final design to meet requirements with minimal cost and schedule impact.


• Interpret safety codes and standards.


• Monitor and direct contractor performance to meet project milestones.


• Coordinate efforts of other specialized staff to accomplish contract preparation deadlines.


• Communicate technical information to non-technical readers.

• Common word processing software.


• Common spreadsheet software.


• Common database applications.


• ERMS software concepts.


• Accounting or operations software functionality.


• Email, contact management, and scheduling software.


• Project management software.


• Presentation and AutoCAD software.

Minimum Qualifications — Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Required Prior Experience:
Two years of experience performing professional engineering work, preferably with experience in design, estimating and contract administration. Work experience in a LRV engineering environment is desirable.

Required Prior Education:
A Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Industrial, Engineering. A Professional Engineer License is desirable.