Engineering Technician - Materials Laboratory

Nature of Work

This individual will primarily focus on materials testing and be responsible for conducting tests as well as assisting and coordinating materials testing personnel. The Engineering Technician performs senior level technical civil engineering work in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.

Responsibilities

• Project and contract management involving the oversight and management of city, state aid and federal aid administered construction projects and project management of consultant designed infrastructure projects.
• Work may include project design and contract pre-construction review and administration; post-construction finalization of quantities and project oversight;
• Surveying, staking, and inspecting construction projects;
• Coinciding material testing activities and requirements with consultants;
• Aiding and directing material testing personnel to assure materials meet specifications;
• Conducting material testing as needed, including (but not limited to) concrete air, slump, aggregate gradations, moisture, density, and concrete and bituminous plant monitoring;
• Reviewing test results to ensure compliance;
• Completing all required material testing forms for Local, State Aid, Federal, and HUD funded projects;
• Reviewing and approving material submittals meet job specific requirements;
• Ensuring materials delivered and used on projects meet specifications.
• Managing all aspects of contract management and inspection of assigned projects.
• Engaging in professional communication with contractor and subcontractor personnel, property owners, utility companies, and others involved in or affected by projects.
• Preparing and distributing project information pamphlets and public service announcements.
• Providing project notifications and periodic updates to Public Works management team as appropriate.
• Aiding and directing construction survey team for the survey and staking of walks, curb and gutter, drive approaches, and other project features as necessary.
• Inspecting for proper erosion and sediment control features and communicating with contractor to ensure proper measures are installed and maintained in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2 construction permit and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
• Maintaining program records and files and promptly completing electronic inspection reports.
• Inspecting and managing construction features such as roadway base preparation, compaction and structural forms for proper grade and alignment.
• Performing pre-construction review and coordination of construction project activities.
• Leading pre-construction meetings with contractor and utilities, providing document clarification and setting schedule.
• Performing project inspection of contract work items for street and utility projects.
• Leading weekly, onsite construction meetings for projects.
• Conducting inspection of bituminous and concrete pavement areas.
• Inspecting utility contract work; water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer installation.
• Performing post-construction finalization of material documents, quantities, inspections, and as-built records.
• Operating survey equipment and analyzing construction related issues.
• Maintaining automated and written project records and files.
• Preparing monthly project estimates.
• Preparing contract change documents (supplemental agreements, work orders, change orders).
• Maintaining listings and files of work performed by contractor, including daily diaries, working day charges and quantity measurements; submitting quantities for payment and assessment.
• Preparing correspondence to contractors and others for repairs; providing follow-up as appropriate.
• Preparing record drawings and maintaining database of new/repaired city infrastructure.
• Providing public service to contractors, citizens, and other agencies.
• Responding to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information regarding construction projects.
• Meting with residents abutting projects to discuss project related activities and coordination.
• Providing technical and public project information to affected property owners, transportation agencies, City Council, Commissions, neighborhood groups, and other organizations as appropriate.
• Developing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with property owners, contractors, subcontractors, and city staff.
• Performing survey and staking support for multiple projects.
• Participating in the survey and staking of utility and street construction projects.
• Conducting preliminary design surveying, data collection and downloading of information for future Capital Improvement Program projects.
• Interfacing with design technicians and engineers in the initial layout of survey data for project design and development.
• Performing pre-construction plan and specification review, coordinating survey and staking requirements with project inspectors and developing a work schedule to efficiently support the project timelines.
• Interface with survey crew chief, project inspectors and engineers on surveying and staking issues as they occur; providing recommendations for solutions to various problems encountered in the field.
• Managing and maintaining survey equipment.
• Performing field locates of City sanitary and storm sewers as required by Gopher One Call.
• Attending on-site utility locate meetings as scheduled by Gopher One Call.
• Researching plans for contractors and other stakeholders.
• Responding to after-hour emergency locates.
• Maintaining program records and files and promptly completing electronic locate status responses.
• Coordinating and remaining current with the State One Call system service provider.
• Representing Public Works in pre-construction conference and utility coordination design phase meetings.
• Enforcing City ordinances.
• Conducting snow removal parking and sidewalk enforcement activities.
• Preparing communications, written and verbal, required for the enforcement activity.
• Reviewing and implementing federal and state rules and regulations.
• Maintaining current file of applicable rules and regulations pertaining to public works i.e. state aid rules, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements, Delegated Contract Process (DCP) requirements, wetland rules, and other policies as appropriate.
• Reviewing changes and advising others as necessary.
• Performing bridge survey and inspection.
• May assume team leadership responsibilities for the Bridge Team.
• Conducting annual inspections of bridges, developing maintenance activities, and providing follow-up inspection for contract or in-house repairs.
• Performing pre-construction review of plans involving bridge structures.
• Performing bridge construction project inspection of contract work, as appropriate.
• Providing work direction and immediate corrective feedback on deficiencies related to the performance or work assignments; relaying performance information to the supervisor as appropriate or upon request.

Minimum Qualifications

• A High School diploma or equivalent and six (6) years of experience as Associate Engineering Technician or equivalent position.
• An Associate's degree in Engineering Technology or closely related field and two (2) years of experience as an Associate Engineering Technician or equivalent position.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

Desirable Qualifications

• MNLTAP courses: Work Zone Traffic Control and Construction Contract Claims
• Coursework in municipal utility inspection
• MNLTAP courses: Erosion Control Construction Site Management, Grading and Base Tester, Grading and Base Inspector, Concrete Field Tester, Concrete Field Inspector, Concrete Plant Tester, Concrete Strength Tester, Bituminous Plant Tester, Bituminous Street Inspector, Aggregate Production Tester, and ADA Construction Certification.
• OSHA trench safety 'Competent Person Training'