Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Position provides business and technical support for all sections within the Engineering Office for commercial “off-the-shelf” software, MTO custom applications and equipment not supported by the Regional IT organization or the Transportation I&IT Cluster. This position represents the regional engineering business during head office led application projects by providing input on engineering related software evaluations, user requirements collection and user acceptance testing.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Consults with and provides business technical direction, in computer application support to Ministry engineering staff (local and remote), managers, and consultants by:
- Advising staff of Ministry policies, procedures and developments with respect to engineering business processes.
- Liaising, on behalf of Regional Engineering Office, with other Ministry Offices, e.g. Highway Design Office, Bridge Office, Geomatics Office, Regional IT offices, Transportation I & IT Cluster to obtain essential program development and computing services.
- Providing support and user input into the business aspects of custom software development and implementation for specified common applications and systems.
- Assisting and instructing staff in input procedures, program operation and output interpretation of the program.

2. Diagnoses and solves applications, software and equipment-related problems encountered by Ministry engineering staff and consultants by:
- Addressing concerns from users, evaluating problems and identifying appropriate strategies for resolution or referral.
- Preparing technical documentation to outline system problems to be addressed by others, including the Transportation I&IT Cluster.
- Identifying and developing interim solutions to problems, pending resolution by others, including other MTO offices or vendors. Reviewing and commenting on proposed software Version upgrades to ensure compatibility with expected use.
- Position provides assistance/support in the installation of applications for engineering clients both internal/external to the ministry.

3. Participates in process improvement (identification and development of requirements, opportunities and systems) by:
- Conducting reviews to identify areas of opportunity for new engineering technologies, industry changes and the ministry business methods.
- Analyzing current needs, procedures and manual processes in order to prepare cost benefit analysis and preparing Proposed Project outlines (PPO) for submission to Business Analysts in Head Office through the functional Head or Manager of Engineering Committees.
- Coordinating and/or participating in User Acceptance Testing of software version upgrades, existing applications or new engineering applications, recommending acceptance or suggesting changes that will improve operational efficiency.
- Assisting Section Heads and Manager, Engineering Office by providing market research for engineering specific equipment not included within the Ministrys I&IT standards and not supported by the Regional IT organization or the Transportation I&IT organization.
- For equipment not included within the Ministrys I&IT standards and not connected to the Ministrys computer infrastructure, assessing and recommending requirements and integrating peripherals to existing equipment unique to Engineering Office, Total Stations, Data collectors, coordinated in conjunction with other MTO offices, as required.
- Developing, documenting and implementing office standards for productivity, access and sharing of information, e.g. common file systems and standards such as common attributes in document management schemes.
- Gathering user input on business aspects of application development and implementation.

4. Ensures ministry staff remain knowledgeable in production procedures, software and equipment with minimal interruption of data flow by:
- Work with head office functional areas, the Transportation I&IT Cluster and the Regional IT Organization to develop and/or deliver training for Ministry staff and consultants in group and individual settings for Engineering-specific software and applications, including but not limited to Land Development Desktop, AutoCAD, IES CAD (Integrated Engineering System), Product Centre, InRoads, HDS (Highway Design System), PMS (Pavement Management System), HiCo (Highway Costing), Total Station collection procedures, CPS (Contract Package Preparation System)
- Developing and presenting technical presentations related to Engineering systems and initiatives.
- Assisting the Section Heads in identifying areas of weakness and developing course outlines for use by external training consultants.
- Providing business technical support and input at internal/external Ministry settings.

5. Performs other duties such as:
- Assisting with documentation and managing licenses for various applications such as AutoDesk products.
- Writing reports and user training manuals.
- Representing Section on Regional Engineering Computer Needs Committee
- Representing Engineering Office as liaison with Regional Information Technology Section
- Representing Engineering Office in Head Office business IT & T sessions
- Identifying data security needs for the Engineering Office and ensuring they are addressed.
- Participating on special projects and on working committees.
- Providing preventative maintenance support and service equipment specific to the Engineering Office that is not covered within the Ministrys I&IT standards
- Ordering supplies for plotters, scanners.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Job requires advanced knowledge of a variety of business processes and supporting software applications used in the functional sections of the Engineering Office; Planning & Design, Structural, Geotechnical, Property, Traffic and Geomatics Sections to provide application support to ministry and consultant users. Business processes and software include but are not limited to:

-systems for highway design, drafting, drainage, file management, estimating, contract preparation documentation, project management, administrative software and communications, systems for bridge design, geographic information systems, co-ordinate geometry, digital terrain modeling, manipulating and calculating data, mapping, imaging, digitizing, scanning, vectorizing, adjustments (i.e. least squares), data collection and conversion, data base maintenance.

Job requires knowledge of engineering-specific equipment to provide support to ministry users. Equipment includes such items as: scanners, plotters, digital cameras and related equipment, total stations, data collectors and GPS receivers.

Skills :

Ability to resolve problems encountered by client group during data collection, manipulation or storage. Ability to analyze new processes, new equipment and alternative delivery means.

Judgment is used in co-coordinating, planning and monitoring own activities or project teams assigned to development and implementation studies and devising practical procedures for solving unique problems.

Excellent communication skills, orally and written to direct and train staff, relate technical information to clients and consultants, provide support to remote users and consultants accessing systems remotely.

Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work requirements to respond to overall Engineering objectives with a minimum of supervision.

Freedom of Action :

The position is technically independent representing the Section and Engineering Office in discussions of information technology needs with the Region, Consultants, head office business leads and I&IT.

The job requires:
- Performance of day-to-day activities with minimum supervision.
- Performing work with latitude in decision making such as which processes would benefit most from custom software changes.
- Independently juggling conflicting demands to keep computer aided drafters hardware and software operational while performing other duties.
Regular contact with Head Office I&IT for “train the trainer” sessions, initiating trouble logs for application fixes and identifying improvement opportunities.
Receives administrative support and direction from the Section Head.