Salary $60,548.80 - $93,766.40 Annually

Location Ames - 50010 - Story County, IA

Job Type Full-time

Job Number 23-04240

Agency 645 Iowa Department of Transportation

Opening Date 06/12/2023

Closing Date 7/3/2023 11:59 PM Central

Point of Contact Mark Dell, Mark.Dell@iowadot.us

Job Description

The Design Bureau is looking to hire a full-time entry level Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Engineer Associate) that will be part of the team developing projects that enhance the state and national transportation system in Iowa.  We are looking to grow our team with people who share our energy and enthusiasm for making the Iowa DOT’s Mission, Making Lives Better Through Transportation, a reality every single day. You will have the opportunity to contribute your skills towards Iowa DOT’s five CORE values:  Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception alongside a supportive Team.
 
The Soils Design Section of the Design Bureau is involved with geotechnical/geologic features associated with construction, repair and rehabilitation of transportation projects.   Under general direction of a professional engineer that is specialized in geotechnical engineering, this position is responsible for performing geotechnical engineering work in the preparation of roadway and bridge plans in addition to assisting with emergency response (ER) projects.
 
Location:  Ames, Iowa – Design Bureau/Soils Design Section
 
Shift: Days, Monday through Friday. Flex available.
 
Typical Responsibilities:

• Aids in evaluating foundation support for bridges, culverts and other types of drainage structures.  Prepares recommendations consistent with applicable engineering standards describing the most effective foundation system.
• Participates with the inspection of soils and foundation-related problems or unanticipated discoveries encountered during construction in order to aid in providing satisfactory solutions that minimize construction delays.
• Assists with the review of subsurface investigations, analysis, and designs performed by geotechnical consultants under contract to the Iowa Department of Transportation.
• Aids in evaluating and then recommending to others, typically within the Iowa DOT Design Bureau, the most effective methods of accomplishing road design objectives for subgrade treatments, borrow, and other grading activities.
• Assists with emergency response (ER) projects that result from severe rain events.
• Possible exposure to adverse site conditions, including rough terrain, steep slopes, landslides, work along roadways with heavy traffic volumes, and construction sites.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Analyzes geotechnical challenges, defines successful solution alternatives, and proactively solves problems.
• Passionate about, and committed to, excellence in our highway design projects.
• Effectively communicates with a wide variety of individuals involved in our development processes and with all levels of management.
• Ability to travel to remote locations for meetings and field reviews, and mobility to access sites in rugged terrain.
• Ability to lift and manipulate field equipment and other items weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain
• Embraces and encourages a culture that thrives on innovative ideas and leading changes that result in effective process and project improvement.
• Brings a professional positive attitude to our team every day.

Design Bureau Culture and Benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance? 
• Insurance benefits start the first of the month following 30 days of employment - Monthly insurance premium (Iowa Choice*): 
  1. Single: $54/mo. employee share; $715/mo. state share 
  2. Family: $180/mo. employee share; $1,624.00/mo. state share 
  3. *Other insurance options available. Please review?HERE (Download PDF reader)?(Download PDF reader) 
• Opportunities for professional growth and development? 
• Paid time off?effective immediately - Biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year 
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match? 
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions 
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial) 

Travel:  Occasional daytime travel is required and some infrequent overnight travel.
 
License:  A valid Driver’s License must be possessed and maintained.
 
If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us 
 
Reasonable accommodation such as: interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment / devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.
2. Possession of a verification of graduation with major course work in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural, or transportation engineering or in engineering management.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)

Additional Qualification Requirements

Applicants hired with verification of graduation will be required to graduate with a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university within 10 months of hire.

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain one or more of the following certificates, licenses, or endorsements:

• Certification as an engineer intern by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board
• Licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board is required within 9 years for continued employment; temporary training assignments will terminate within six months following a second attempt to obtain a professional engineer license or nine years from date of hire.