Engineering Geologist – Transportation Engineer 4 (In-training)

Description About WSDOT Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.
In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation! The Opportunity WSDOT State Geotechnical Office is seeking a Transportation Engineer 4 (in-training) to serve as an Engineering Geologist in Tumwater, WA.
The State Geotechnical office is tasked with providing geotechnical recommendations Statewide in support of WSDOT's capital construction program, preservation, and maintenance activities.
This position will work within the Unstable Slope Management Program and is responsible for independently managing multiple geotechnical design and construction projects and developing final geotechnical design recommendations for transportation-related projects statewide.
In this role, you will serve as a Subject Matter Expert and provide professional and technical assistance to Region Project Offices, the Region Materials Engineers, Region Maintenance, and other clients with respect to geotechnical design and construction.
In addition, this position will perform field and office work related to inventory, assessment, and scoping of various unstable slopes and related constructed geotechnical assets on a statewide basis.
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The tasks of this position require the application of specialized training in geologic interpretation and geotechnical design as well as the application of broadly based experience and judgement in the design and construction of civil engineering projects.
What to Expect This position will perform outdoor field work, generally on or near a roadway.
This work is sometimes performed in inclement weather and can be in daytime or nighttime.
Exposure hazards include high-speed traffic, exhaust, steep or uneven terrain, unstable slopes and/or construction equipment.
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will: Provide engineering geology support to the Unstable Slopes Unit under the supervision of a Transportation Technical Engineer.
Develop field exploration plans, instrumentation plans, and specialized laboratory testing plans for geotechnical engineering design and construction projects.
Lead and/or direct drill inspectors, laboratory technicians, and instrumentation technicians to ensure appropriate and correct data is obtained for geotechnical engineering design projects.
Perform field data collection and kinematic and limit equilibrium analyses for rock slope mitigation and design projects.
Perform design work which includes landslide stabilization, rockfall hazard mitigation, rock slope design, soil cut slope design, embankment repair, and evaluation of project constructability.
Research, collect and organize information from WSDOT databases, geotechnical design reports, and as-built construction documents.
Compile information into organized files and prepare various maps using Geographic Information System (GIS).
Prepare PS&E level geotechnical engineering design documents for WSDOT contracts.
Provide geotechnical construction support for construction projects, which includes developing solutions to geotechnical construction problems.
Participate in conducting field inventories and performing condition assessments of unstable slopes and constructed geotechnical assets, and documenting findings using handwritten notes and drawings, electronic tablets, GPS units, and/or cameras.
Qualifications This is a Transportation Engineer 4 (TE4) position.
However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level, a Transportation Engineer 2 (TE2) or Transportation Engineer 3 (TE3) depending on qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.
At the Transportation Engineer 2 level, the following are required: A bachelor’s degree from a four-year degree program in Geological Sciences, Engineering Geology, or a closely related field which includes coursework in Geologic Field Mapping.
The ability to travel overnight and work outside in adverse conditions.
The ability to perform multiple concurrent tasks and duties.
A valid state issued driver’s license, with the ability to obtain a Washington State driver’s license.
At the Transportation Engineer 3 level, the following are required: All TE2 level qualifications.
One (1) year of employment at the TE2 level or equivalent.
Demonstrated ability to interact with consultants and customers to negotiate geotechnical schedules, deliverables, scopes of work, and budgets for state-wide projects.
At the Transportation Engineer 4 level, the following are required: All TE2 and TE3 level qualifications.
Licensure as an Engineering Geologist in Washington State.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have: Three (3) years of engineering geology experience and two (2) years at the TE3 level.
High angle rope access training/certification or the ability and willingness to obtain and utilize such training/certification.
Strong background in field geology methods.
Proficiency with GIS, limit equilibrium analysis software and other geotechnical analysis software.
*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.
Important Notes This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.
For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
This position may require intermittent in-state travel.
This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
This position has been approved for in-training.
The hiring manager is looking to hire at the Transportation Engineer 4 level, however the in-training plan will allow candidates to also be considered as a Transportation Engineer 2 or Transportation Engineer 3, if not qualified at the highest level.
The annual salaries for each level are included below: Transportation Engineer 2: $65,748 – $88,416 Transportation Engineer 3: $74,552 – $97,596 Transportation Engineer 4: $80,112 – $107,812 WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).
For more information, please visit www.
uscis.
gov.
Why WSDOT Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
As such, there are a number of flexible schedule options available, including occasional telework for eligible positions.
Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year! Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options.
Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more.
Go to State Benefits for more information.
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT? How to Apply Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically.
Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary.
Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application: An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies.
NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.
Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed.
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WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer.
We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.
Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.
All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, are encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter via email.
Contact Us For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, at Robyn.
Lovely@wsdot.
wa.
gov.
Please be sure to reference 24DOT-HQ-05365 in the subject line.