Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide technical and administrative services associated with highway pavement evaluation, pavement design, and related engineering materials in support of program delivery. To evaluate pavement conditions and establish maintenance/rehabilitation strategies. To prepare recommendations and administer engineering consultant assignments for pavement evaluation/design/rehabilitation and materials utilization services associated with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of highway facilities within the region.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. (i) For out-sourced design: Either directly or as input into multi-disciplinary engineering planning and design projects; acquiring and administering consultant geotechnical engineering services including preparing geotechnical terms of reference by: preparing cost estimates; evaluating Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) or Quotations (RFQ) and Addendums and making recommendations for acceptance or rejection; providing general direction to consultants/service providers by reviewing, critiquing and accepting/rejecting geotechnical deliverables; liaising with appropriate internal/external stakeholders and preparing consultant performance appraisals. (ii) For in-house design: Undertaking in-house pavement design by: planning and acquiring field investigation services; analysing and evaluating field and laboratory test data; liaising with appropriate internal/external stakeholders; establishing geotechnical design alternatives and recommending technically appropriate cost effective solutions; and, preparing complete and timely geotechnical design recommendations.

2. Carrying out project reviews by participating in design review meetings, design assessments and warranty inspections to ensure technical correctness and adherence to ministry policy and practise for geotechnical related matters. Acting as a frontline pavement representative by proactively representing the Geotechnical Section on issues related to pavement evaluation, pavement rehabilitation and design, and related engineering materials. Adhering to ministry directives on records management and retention schedules by maintaining necessary electronic and hard copy geotechnical records.

3. Completing pavement condition evaluations by undertaking on-site pavement assessments, inputting data and recommending updates to the ministrys pavement management system; requesting skid testing, rut surveys and other testing requirements as necessary to further determine the physical condition of pavements; preparing or assist in preparing Justification Reports (JR) for pavement rehabilitation and maintenance projects; determining cost effective strategies for maintaining and extending pavement life and serviceability; assisting the Supervisor in establishing pavement rehabilitation priorities for the Region.

4. Responding to emergency situations related to pavements and materials performance by conducting on-site investigations for pavement drainage or fatigue (such as settlement, blowups, frost heaves, delamination, rutting), surficial slope/embankment and drainage failures, and for responding to complaints or concerns on pavement performance; formulating recommendations to treat/correct the identified pavements and materials performance problems and forwarding recommendations to Contracts or Operational Services for action. Providing technical information and guidance to Regional Engineering, Contracts and Operational Services, consultants and other stakeholders or special interest groups on geotechnical issues as required.

5. Assisting in the development/review of new technologies by promoting, monitoring and evaluating test sites. Participating in policy and standards development by reviewing and commenting on proposed new or updated Ontario Provincial Standards and draft ministry specifications, standards, policies and procedures. Participating on task groups by attending meetings, researching information and creating documents. Participating in lecturing on technical subjects as required and assisting with on-the-job training as requested.

6. Abiding to health and safety legislation and regulations and ministry health and safety policies and procedures (ie. Occupational Health and Safety Act and related Regulations, Ontario Traffic Manual - Book 7) to ensure safe working conditions by reviewing health and safety plans, arranging for and participating in the health and safety component of pre-start meetings, and monitoring and reporting non-compliance.

7. Managers have the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

Valid Ontario Class G Drivers Licence.

Knowledge :

Engineering materials (asphalt, concrete, granular, sand, soil, stone, rock and specialized products such as geotextiles), their properties and composition and related test methods to provide pavements and material information and recommendations to ministry staff and consultants, and to appraise materials recommendations in order to determine and predict the performance of these materials; to identify and understand material problems related to pavements and roadways; and to understand and determine how materials should be used in road construction. Ministry pavement design standards, specifications, policy, procedures and guidelines to ensure the use of appropriate design, materials, construction techniques and provincial standards. Pavement management which includes evaluating the condition of pavements, rating these conditions, analyzing the data, determining cost effective pavement rehabilitation strategies, and inputting the data into the ministry pavement management system database in order to assist in prioritizing pavement deficiencies and establishing rehabilitation strategies for development of the regions multi-year capital construction and maintenance programs. Pavement design including the application of pavement design methodologies (OPAC, AASHTO, and MTO Empirical Method), life cycle costing techniques, drainage design, and treatment of organic deposits, pavement distortions and frost heaves, and cut/fill slopes in order to develop cost effective pavement designs. Construction and maintenance practices and techniques in order to provide cost effective solutions on geotechnically related construction issues such as unexpected soil conditions, changes to materials and pavement design recommendations, and adverse groundwater/drainage problems. Consultant procurement and administration in order to: scope and estimate the work; prepare geotechnical terms of reference; recommend acceptance or rejection of consultant submissions; assist in resolving fee disputes; review and critique geotechnical deliverables (e.g. geotechnical design report, borehole logs); provide general advice to consultants/service providers; and, assist in preparing consultant performance appraisals. Health and safety legislation and regulations and ministry policies and procedures (ie. Occupational Health and Safety Act and related Regulations, Ontario Traffic Manual – Book 7) to ensure safe working conditions for ministry personnel and ministry acquired service providers. Computer software including various pavement design software, pavement management software, and word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software in order to: record, manipulate, analyze and manage data; carry-out geotechnical engineering designs; assist in setting rehabilitation priorities; and, prepare memos, letters, reports and presentations.

Skills :

Analytical and evaluative skills to acquire and administer consultant services, to undertake pavement management, evaluation and design, to provide geotechnical assistance and guidance, and to assist in the development and monitoring of new technologies, procedures, specifications, standards and policies. Planning and organizational skills to meet work schedules and critical milestone dates, and to co-ordinate and organize own work activities with competing priorities in a multi-task work environment. Oral, written and interpersonal skills to research, discuss, negotiate, resolve, advise, report and present technical and administrative information related to the geotechnical function. Computer skills in a Windows based environment.

Freedom of Action :

Working under the supervision of a Supervisor/Head. Working in accordance with ministry guidelines and standards pertaining to pavement evaluation, design, rehabilitation and management. Working independently while consulting with the Supervisor/Head on a regular basis. Recommendations are submitted independently or with the approval of the Supervisor/Head dependent on the nature and/or complexity of the work.