Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide centralized and consistent Foundation Engineering services for the Geotechnical, Hydrogeological, Tunneling and Rock Slope Hazards specialties, as defined in the MTO's Consultant Acquisition Registry, for assigned projects.
To provide supervision, on a project-specific basis, to ministry staff and/or foundation engineering consultants, as part of the regional project team for capital projects with a foundation engineering component.
To provide specialist engineering advice to Regional and Head Office staff of the ministry for the Foundation Engineering component of planning, design, construction and maintenance projects.
To carry out studies and evaluate ministry programs for determination of adequacy, appropriateness and effectiveness of ministry policies, standards, specifications and operating guidelines related to Foundation Engineering.
To carry out investigations for the evaluation of new materials, suppliers, equipment and processes for improving the cost-effectiveness of the Foundations component of ministry operations.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Delivers assigned Foundation Engineering projects services by establishing the terms of reference for Foundation Engineering projects and evaluating expressions of interest and proposals from consultants, including contract documents to hire consultants, supervision of work performed, evaluating and providing recommendations on the performance of Foundation Engineering consultants.

2. Provides technical expertise / direction to ministry staff and/or Foundation Engineering consultants in the project-specific delivery of Foundation Engineering services. This involves overseeing and/or participating in fieldwork and/or laboratory testing, analysis for the preparation of Foundation Engineering reports containing factual and interpreted data and provision of specific recommendations concerning the design and construction of foundations projects.

3. Provides professional engineering advice to Regional and Head Office staff on the resolution of complex or unusual problems / issues in all areas related to Foundation Engineering and on a broad range of issues concerning the application, interpretation and implementation of policies, standards, specifications and operating guidelines. Discusses with and/or presents to regional staff, either by attending meetings or conducting training! seminars, to provide advice and guidance on new materials, processes and policies.

4. Carries out studies and evaluations of ministry Foundation Engineering programs for determination of the adequacy, appropriateness and effectiveness of policies, standards, operating guidelines and specifications, and identifies areas where changes or improvements are necessary. Assists in the development and/or revision of policies, standards, specifications and operating guidelines by compiling the background material to support the initiative, developing proposals, and preparing draft documents for review.

5. Conducts or coordinates evaluations involving new products and processes under consideration for use by the ministry. Prepares written evaluations on the results and findings of the projects and makes recommendations regarding suitability for ministry use.


6.Monitors specific aspects of Foundations related ministry operations to assist in developing new systems, processes and methods to improve the consistency, efficiency and effectiveness of design, construction and maintenance operations, to assess consistency and effectiveness of ministry policies and identify problem areas for resolution.

7. Conducts special investigations of referred complex Foundation Engineering problems. Prepares technical reports on the findings, providing sound and defensible recommendations.

8. Evaluates the performance and suitability of new technology, systems, processes, materials and equipment.

9. Applies the policies, quality standards and criteria for the determination of eligibility, acceptance and ongoing evaluation of Foundation Engineering service providers.

10. Provides assistance in representing the Section, and on occasion the ministry, on internal and external committees, sub-committees and with industry groups. Presents the results of technical investigations that have been approved and participates in discussions on issues that affect Foundation Engineering.

11. Develops, writes and updates procedures manuals, and related training aids. Prepares summaries and reports for presentation at meetings and seminars, and makes technical presentations to internal and external groups. Writes technical reports/papers for either internal ministry use or for external technical publication, subject to technical review. Prepares background information and research to assist in the development of briefing materials.

12. Travel throughout the province is required to visit Foundation Engineering projects and to attend meetings.

Knowledge :

Position requires membership with Professional Engineers of Ontario (P.E.0.). Position requires advanced knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of civil engineering, specifically soil mechanics and foundation engineering, hydrogeology, tunnelling, rock slope hazards, with experience in civil engineering construction; good knowledge of geotechnical analysis, design and construction methods; knowledge of structural design principles and methods; general knowledge of subsurface conditions prevailing within the boundaries of Ontario, and detailed knowledge of the properties and behaviour of the main soil types found (e.g. marine and lacustrine clays, glacial, alluvial, and organic deposits), nature and occurrence of bedrock, highway construction practices related to highway structures, earthworks/rockworks, and of pertinent ministry specifications, standards and special provisions related to foundation engineering to deliver assigned foundation engineering projects, carry out studies and evaluations of ministry programs, and provide sound engineering advice In foundation engineering as they apply in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure.
Requires good understanding of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC) Foundations Section and the Professional
Engineers Ontario (PEO) Guidelines for Professional Engineers Providing Geotechnical Engineering Services.
Requires good understanding of ministry's mandate, organization and operations. Requires thorough knowledge of technical advances
in Foundation Engineering; and demonstrated analytical/ investigative/ problem-solving skills to assess foundation engineering reports, contract documents and complex engineering problems and evaluate solutions; to evaluate new methods and processes for suitability for ministry use and evaluate recommendations; and to assist in developing methods and monitoring systems that lead to ministry standards which reflect the current state of design, construction and maintenance technology.
Requires familiarity with construction equipment for Foundations (structures and embankments), Hydrogeology, Tunnelling and Rock
Slope Hazards.
Leadership skills are required to provide technical supervision and/or technical leadership to technicians, engineers and consultants on a project specific basis. Planning, coordination and project management skills are required to coordinate delivery of Foundation
Engineering projects.
Requires ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to communicate to a range of audiences (e.g., field staff, consultants, colleagues, industry stakeholders, product suppliers, technical committees), when providing sound engineering advice and guidance on Foundation Engineering; providing training and making internal/ external technical presentations. Requires excellent technical writing skills to develop and write formal specifications, technical reports, manuals and procedures, and prepare training materials.
Knowledge of computer software and ability to analyze, organize and present material in electronic format (e.g. PowerPoint slide presentations, spreadsheets, manipulation of digital images) is required.

Judgement :

Judgement is used in supervising, organizing and coordinating assigned foundation engineering projects undertaken by ministry staff and consultants, and in assessing and solving complex design and construction problems by applying soil mechanics and foundation engineering theories, principles and practices. Judgement is required in coordinating or conducting evaluation programs or projects, assisting in developing standards, and in monitoring Regional programs for the improvement of foundation engineering in ministry operations. Judgement is required in evaluating industry literature and data, foundation engineering reports, and contract documents to
ensure consistency, quality and to encourage development of new technology.
Judgement is required in providing sound engineering advice and guidance in a specialist function on planning, design, construction and maintenance problems and application and interpretation of policies, recommendations for implementation or responding to queries from ministry staff, or ministry service providers such as consultants, contractors, product suppliers.
Work is performed independently and is assigned within objectives, priorities and budget constraints imposed by the supervisor.
Completed work is viewed as technically sound, but is subject to supervision and overall technical review of major problems by a Senior Engineer or the Manager.

Accountability - Programs :

Position is accountable for the delivery of assigned foundation engineering projects, ensuring that established policies and procedures in foundation engineering are effective and efficient, and that necessary changes are recommended to improve ministry policy and procedures as applied in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the provincial highway infrastructure. Position is accountable for the evaluation of new construction materials, equipment and methodology relating to foundation engineering and for effective recommendations on ministry use of these new products and processes. Accountable for providing sound specialist engineering / technical advice and guidance in foundation engineering, including the application/adaptation of standards, guidelines, precedents to resolve problems to Head Office and Regional staff, and to ministry service providers.
Position is accountable for evaluation of service providers for registration/qualification for MTO work.
Position reports to the Manager Pavements and Foundation Section and may be assigned to a senior staff member for technical supervision. Provides technical supervision/guidance to technician(s) and/or consultants carrying out foundation engineering projects
and/or in the conduct of investigations/projects.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Sub-standard, incomplete, or inaccurate delivery of foundation engineering projects, recommendations, or poor advice could result in unsatisfactory performance of structural and earthwork/rockwork foundations and consequent costs related to premature repair and maintenance, in the ministry not adopting the most appropriate technological advancements, and in embarrassment to the Section and ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with staff in the other Sections of Materials Engineering and Research Office, Head Office and the Regions to exchange information, to maintain effective monitoring systems, to discuss new products and processes, to provide sound engineering advice on related specifications and procedures, and to evaluate solutions to problems.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with foundation engineering consultants to provide technical direction/ advice and evaluate performance; with industry representatives, professionals at trade organizations to discuss specifications and standards requirements, new products and to
provide specialist advice. Occasional contact with Federal, Provincial and American State Highway agencies to exchange views.
Occasional contact with the general public (e.g. to respond to general inquiries) may occur.