Assistant County Engineer

Job Description

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop plans and specifications for road, bridge, and drainage projects. Work may require structural and hydraulic analysis, determination of drainage area, basin slope, peak discharge, and related technical data, establishing road vertical and horizontal alignment, vertical and horizontal curvature, cross slopes and profiles, earth work calculations, drainage, and pavement marking and signage.
• Determine plan quantities required; submit plans and specifications to appropriate personnel/agencies for approval; prepare formal bidding documents for locally funded projects or facilitate bidding process with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for state and federally funded projects.
• Assist with easement records research; calculating area and cost of proposed right of way takes, temporary and permanent easements, and field survey staking of project areas during design and construction.
• Field verify construction and maintenance project work in process and upon completion for conformance to specifications. Also, ensure necessary inspection, testing, and documentation is completed during the project and submitted at project completion. Further, prepare and submit IDOT or other agency project close out audits.
• Utilize hydraulic modeling software and Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Standards to develop bridge designs and evaluate existing designs for suitability. Also, maintain a folder of standard county bridge designs and records of their use.
• Utilize data to establish priorities for road construction and maintenance projects.
• Maintain project folders for all road construction projects.
• Manage bridge inspection data. Utilize information to establish priorities for road construction and maintenance projects. Requires working with an outside consultant and county maintenance crews.
• Maintain drainage structure (pipe and box culverts) inventory book. Establish priorities for drainage structure construction and maintenance projects.
• Build competency with various technical operating manuals, standards, and specifications related to road, bridge, and drainage structure construction and maintenance. Develop a strong knowledge of materials, road surface types, traffic control devices, field testing, and standard and innovative maintenance practices
• Gain competency in IDOT procedures and processes as it relates to federal, state, and locally funding projects.
• Review utility permits submitted by various individuals or companies to use the Secondary Road right of way for such purposes as utility installation including communications, power transmission, and water line within the right of way and along and across county roads. Provide recommendation on utility permits to the County Engineer.
• Review work within right of way permits submitted by various individuals or companies to use the Secondary Road right of way for such purposes as roadway regrading, shaping, and placement of granular materials and drainage work along and across county roads. Provide recommendation on work within right of way permits to the County Engineer.
• Inspect permitted work by individuals or companies within the secondary road right-of-way. Provide feedback to the permittees and bring up disputed findings to the County Engineer. Also, document unpermitted work and provide findings to the County Engineer.
• Conducts traffic counts and studies and evaluates warrants for intersection design changes and roadway signage.
• Assist with the Secondary Roads Annual report submittal to IA DOT per Code of Iowa.
• Receive inquiries or complaints and complete various related public relations duties as assigned; aid Maintenance Superintendent in field construction and maintenance activities; perform related technical engineering duties as assigned by County Engineer.
• Assist in the maintenance of the GASB records for the County Engineer to report to the State Auditors.
• Assist in the maintenance of TPMS records on the Iowa County Engineers Service Bureau site.
• Assist the County Engineer in identifying and securing grants and other alternative funding sources.
• Responsible for knowing and following company policies and procedures as outlined in employee handbook and for following and adhering to instructions, requests, and task assignments as given by The County Engineer.
• Assist Office Manager to help cover the phones and counter as needed.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field from an accredited four-year college or university
• Registered as an Engineer in Training (EIT) in the State of Iowa or able to achieve within six (6) months employment
• Basic knowledge of surveying and surveying equipment
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Additional Preferred Skills:

• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Iowa
• Knowledge and experience with Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Knowledge and experience with IDOT Standard Specifications and Road/Bridge Standards
• Knowledge and experience with hydraulic modeling software
• Knowledge of the inner workings of a county road department
• Proficient with Microsoft office (Excel, Access, and Word)

Skills Required:

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information
• Strong problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail and accuracy  
• Ability to adapt to a fast paced, changing work environment and respond well under stress to ensure all deadlines are met
• Ability to effectively lead the work activities of others
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Knowledge on the fundamentals of engineering
• Basic understanding on the preparation of plans, specifications, and administration of civil engineering projects
• Basic awareness of land and engineering survey techniques; proven ability to learn the standards of safety as related to civil engineering design and specifications
• Ability to develop and complete verbal presentations and highly technical reports
• Ability to prepare cost estimates, material lists and specification data
• Ability to conduct engineering inspections

Physical Demands/Work Hours:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally greater than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

This position will require flexibility to work additional hours beyond the typical work day when needed.

Work Environment:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places. The employee is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position requires working in all weather conditions and all terrains.

THE ABOVE DECLARATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN “ALL-INCLUSIVE” LIST OF THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB DESCRIBED OR OF THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE JOB. RATHER, THEY ARE INTENDED ONLY TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.

Benefits:

• IPERS retirement with 6.29% employee contribution and 9.44% employer contribution
• 9 paid holidays
• Vacation time, sick time, personal day and your BIRTHDAY off
• Opportunity to earn compensatory time
• Health Insurance as low as $180 per pay period for a family plan
• Dental insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Wellness program with opportunity to earn up to $350 in incentives
• EAP

*THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN EMPLOYMENT AT BENTON COUNTY*

Return Application To

Apply online or send application to Human Resources, 811 D Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349

Apply Online Printable Application

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Department: Secondary Roads
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Posted: 9/8/23
• Expires: Posted until filled.