Engineering Tech 2

Position Details

The Engineering Technician II is responsible for providing public service in the transportation system that emphasizes quality, safety, cost effectiveness, economic vitality and sensitivity to the environment. The position is responsible for monitoring and coordinating all construction projects, for developing engineering plans and project specifications for all construction and maintenance projects, and for participating in all surveying, staking, inspection and right-of-way acquisition activities. The Engineering Technician II is the second level within the Engineering Technician classification series. This classification differs from that of Engineering Technician I due to the responsibility for coordinating and monitoring their engineering activities, for the greater knowledge and experience requirements and for the higher complexity level of the work.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates as Freeborn County Agricultural Inspector. Works with the Mn Department of Agriculture on noxious weed control and securing grant monies to assist with costs of weed control.
• Coordinates vegetation management by determining and prioritizing areas to be managed, species to control, seed, chemicals and fertilizer specifications.
• Develops plans and specifications for County highway construction and maintenance projects to include : ensuring that all project plans and specifications comply with County State and Federal regulations; ensuring that all plans are economically feasible; and determining construction methods best suited to the requirements of the project.
• Plans and designs future construction projects and sets up multi-million dollar funding for County or Federal projects. Performs initial design of the plans, writes the special provisions as outlined in the MnDOT standard specifications for constructions. Acquires funding and sets up the project in One Office online project administration. Conducts pre-project documents for project letting and reports. Prepares reports after letting for MnDOT and Federal Highway Administration. Prepares all forms for construction as required by state and federal law. Completes daily forms for the bituminous, materials and concrete engineer. Manages all forms for civil rights, Federal aid and railroad inspections. Conducts independent assurance test as required by law. Record keeping may include daily diaries, weekly diaries and materials test results. Prepared forms sent to MnDOT or the Federal Highway Administration in a timely manner to meet deadlines to maintain funding.
• Monitors and coordinates construction work progress and ensures that contracted work is in compliance with specifications and special provisions to include : planning, prioritizing and scheduling the work of others; evaluating work performed; providing technical guidance and advice to Engineering Technician I's; and working with contractors to address planning complications and issues that arise.
• Manages the Federally regulated bridge inspection program as outlined by MnDOT. Inspects all 177 county bridges annually. Inspects bridges and culverts determining if in need or repair, whether is safe for traffic, how best to repair any damaged or failed areas and determining cost and method of work.
• Inspects bituminous, concrete, bridge, culvert, and grading operations for road construction by inspecting, recording, reporting, documenting, testing, paying and ensuring quality of construction materials for County, State, and Federal projects.
• Obtains necessary right-of-way for road construction projects to include : determining which parties to obtain right-of-way from; preparing all necessary legal documents; calculating value; advising landowners of construction plans; and obtaining landowners' signature on transfer documents.
• Coordinates and inspects pavement striping and marking to include : determining type of striping material; establishing "No Passing Zones" on new construction; and identifying which roadways to stripe or re-stripe each year.
• Prepares applications for state and federal funding for construction projects including district wide road striping, safety and bridge or road construction.
• Assists highway accountant by entering IRA's and preparing pay requests for contract payment.
• Prepares and maintains routine departmental reports including change orders, and supplemental agreements. Keeps accurate records for work performed as projects progress.
• Maintains and updates "Status Reports" and "Needs Study Reports" including determination of which segments need to be updated and calculating segment future construction costs, preparing and updating project status maps, and submitting all status documentation.
• Manages the databases for the icon sign program and pavement management program. Oversees highly complex databases including website, e-permitting, project management and other computer programs.
• Coordinates the procurement of gravel supplies. Identify sources of gravel, evaluate quality, draft all leases and documents with suppliers, arrange for payments and negotiate quarry royalties.
• On call 24 / 7.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Education and Experience

Licenses / Certifications

This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates / licenses, depending on individual position assignments :

Equipment and Tools

Physical and Mental Requirements

This job typically requires : sitting, standing, walking, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, driving, lifting, hearing, typing, and seeing. This position is generally heavy duty and may require the exertion up to 50 pounds of force and intermittently ability to lift, carry, push, pull and move objects over 100 pounds. Exposure to chemicals. This position must deal with unhappy public and contractors.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a variety of environments including office, shop, vehicles and outdoors. May be exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, chemicals, oil, extreme temperatures, intense noises, travel and work activities requiring constant precautions and safety considerations. This position works around heavy equipment, trucks, and in heavy traffic conditions. This position is exposed to unhappy public, landowners, and contractors.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.