Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide technical engineering services for Infrastructure Management of the provincial structural inventory including the inspection of transportation structures such as bridges, culverts and overhead signs and planning and design of standardized structures.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Manage, update and maintain major structural databases, Structural Priority Lists, the Integrated Highway Information System (IHIS), Structure Inventory Data and preparation of Structural Appraisal and Justification Reports for structural projects to facilitate inclusion in the Structural Capital Construction Program.

2. Co-ordinating the biennial structural inspection program and Minor Capital Program including attending structure sites and assessing conditions, degree of deterioration and defects using appropriate equipment and recording findings; organizing specialized inspection programs such as structure condition surveys and underwater inspections; inputting inspection and program information into ministry information systems; arranging lease and maintaining ministry structure inspection vehicle and related equipment.

3. Preparing Structural Planning and Structural Design Reports and detailed project cost estimates; preparing designs and contract packages for non-complex bridges, structure rehabilitation, culvert replacements and structure repairs by conducting field investigations, designing details, developing concepts and providing guidance to drafters in the preparation of drawings and contract documents.

4. Acting as project manager for structural projects such as coating contracts, structural rehabilitation, culvert replacements and new non-complex bridges; managing engineering consultant assignments for projects such as biennial and special inspections, bridge condition surveys, structure rehabilitation, culvert replacements and standardized designs; obtaining approvals from appropriate agencies such as Coast Guard and railways for site access or permission to construct; assisting structural engineers in managing consultant assignments; responding to public comments and enquiries concerning own projects.

5. Carrying out construction liaison activities such as identifying field problems and recommending corrective action; providing guidance on the resolution of certain construction problems such as dimensional discrepancies to Construction staff and contractors during construction.

6. Providing training, guidance and supervision to junior staff on procedural or operational matters or during joint field investigations; hiring and supervision of summer students; preparing structural sketches and drawings using CAD software (eg AutoCAD)

Staffing and Licencing :

Job requires valid class G Driver's Licence

Civil Technology Degree or equivalent

Knowledge :

Knowledge of the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM), New Technology, Safety Procedures and structural behaviour in order to inspect bridges and other transportation structures (e.g. overhead signs, culverts) in a thorough and safe manner by examining all structural components (e.g. girders, bearings), assessing levels of deterioration, and assigning numerical ratings to reflect the relative condition of material and performance.
Knowledge of structural behaviour, principles and practices related to bridges, hydrology, road design, foundations, traffic, environmental issues, soil types, cost estimating, mathematics (e.g. solving equations) and geometry, construction practices and MTO policies and procedures in order to carry out preliminary planning, detailed design or project management of structural projects (e.g. steel coating contracts, culvert replacements, bridge rehabilitation and new 'non-complex' bridges by compiling and analyzing data, calculating parameters (e.g. hydraulic openings), determining span arrangements, recommending rehabilitation alternatives, selecting standard special provisions and creating non-standard special provisions and compiling complete contract packages. (Note: This position does not carry out detailed design of bridges except modular bridges and all structural designs carried out by this position
are reviewed and stamped by a professional engineer).
Knowledge of PC's and mainframe computers, CD Writers and digital cameras in order to log into systems, initialize programs and input inspection inventory and 'needs' data, bridge clearance and load information, and digital images and drawings using database software (e.g. Integrated Highway Information System (IHIS), Ontario Structure Clearance and Load Information System (OSCLIS) and Ontario Bridge Management System (OBMS)), and knowledge of spreadsheet software (e.g. Lotus 123 and Excel), photo enhancement software (e.g. Paint Soft Pro) and CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD) in order to record and manage information relating to all structures on the provincial highway system by coding information, creating and maintaining CD photo library, drawing TIF files, etc.
Knowledge of word processing software (e.g. WordPerfect and MS Word) and mainframe based Contract Preparation System (CPS) in order to create and issue construction contracts.
Knowledge of manual drafting techniques and specialized instruments to prepare sketches and watershed areas, and knowledge of CAD software (e.g. AutoCAD) to prepare sketches and drawings for structural projects.
Knowledge of non-destructive structural inspection techniques and equipment (e.g. dye penetrant testing, electric grinders) in order to examine critical components (e.g. girders) in detail to detect initial stages of deterioration and potentially catastrophic cracking by applying tests at critical locations throughout the structure.
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act to facilitate safe bridge inspection and construction liaison practices by being aware of and complying with regulations governing confined work spaces, bridge construction sites, fall arrest systems etc.; knowledge of procedures for accessing confined work spaces including operation of air quality testing equipment; knowledge of relevant sections of the Highway Traffic Act, Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, and Environmental Section Act to ensure ministry compliance with vehicle width and load restriction regulations, detour requirements, environmental review and conformance, etc.
Knowledge of current ministry consultant acquisition process and consultant legal agreements in order to administer engineering consultant assignments by preparing and evaluating submissions for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Requests for Proposals (RFP), preparing legal agreements in accordance with standard formats, and preparing detailed consultant appraisals

Skills :

Technical analytical and evaluation skills to determine the condition of structural components such as bridge girders by identifying defects through visual examination and non-destructive testing and referencing the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual and interpreting its guidelines to establish numerical ratings reflective of bridge condition.
Technical judgement skills in order to assess seriousness of specific defects (e.g. cracked bridge members) and apprise supervisor by determining causes and magnitude of the defects and danger to the public.
Problem solving skills in order to investigate and rectify urgent structural maintenance and operational problems, such as broken expansion joints, by determining cause, designing repair details and preparing maintenance/repair contracts.
Analytical and problem solving skills to carry out planning, design contract preparation, field services tendering and construction liaison for standard transportation structures (e.g. Modular (Bailey) bridges, bridge rehabilitation) by examining field conditions, establishing technical parameters (e.g. span arrangements), determining construction or repair methods, directing the preparation of plans by the Structural Drafter and preparing contract documents and responding to construction issues.
Oral communication in order to verbally report specific technical observations of structural problems from the field to supervising engineer by telephone and then to communicate recommendations to field staff such as contractors, district patrols, etc. and liaising with contractors and consultants.
Oral communication in order to present project descriptions to regional management staff, including regional director, of up to ten persons.
Written communication skills in order to prepare Structural Appraisal and Justification Reports, Structural Design Reports, memos, letters etc.
Interpersonal communication skills to arrange and negotiate maintenance repairs, traffic control, etc., coordinate and participate in structural inspections with bridge authorities from other provinces and states.
Interpersonal communication skills to deal with public at Public Information Centres and for bridge clearance related matters, to deal with fellow workers and outside agencies such as railroads and to deal with consultants when acting as project manager to answer telephone inquiries from the public and to reconcile conflicts arising during construction conflicts.

Freedom of Action :

Working independently during inspection field trips by using the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual as a guide in determining appropriate condition ratings for structural components and to apply condition ratings as well as specific comments and recommendations for repairs and maintenance. Inspection reports form the basis for capital construction program worth many million dollars and are reviewed by supervisor for general conformance with policy. Reports are accepted as being accurate. Occasional detailed spot reviews are carried out.
Working independently with other bridge authorities (e.g. other provinces or states) to coordinate inspections of jointly owned structures.
Making technical decisions in order to rectify structural problems such as rectifying expansion joint breakouts or settled Bailey Bridge bearings by analysing causes and seriousness, determining best method of repairs and making necessary arrangements to affect repairs by contractor or district forces. Latitude is extended in decision making in order to effect repairs expeditiously and economically. All decisions involving structural behaviour are referred to a structural engineer.
Working independently in delivering specialized inspection services by scheduling and arranging for inspection vehicle (Bridgemaster), arranging traffic control services and coordinating railway flagging when required. Overall program is reviewed with supervisor in general terms only. Decisions are made during course of inspection to consult with supervising engineer where issues of structural integrity may be involved.