Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide structural engineering expertise in the safety assurance and infrastructure management activities of existing transportation structures. To provide expertise and guidance, either through in-house resources or through service providers, in project management, detailed structural designs of bridges and other transportation structures and production of contracts. To provide project management, expertise and guidance during all phases of structural-related aspects of a project.

Duties / Responsibilities :

21. Statement of Major Responsibilities (How is purpose achieved?)

Under general direction of the Section Head or a supervising Engineer, the incumbent is responsible for the following activities:

1. Administers consultant assignments; reviews professional engineering consultant submissions on specific projects; reviews submitted designs; identifies areas where improvements can be made, uneconomical designs and non-compliance with Ministry standards and specifications; resolves problems and reviews final drawings/submissions; evaluates consultants performance.

2. Conducts inspections for routine, non-routine and emergency structure investigations, initiates inspections to be done by consultants; recommends repairs, prepares estimates and priority listings for Structural Maintenance and Capital/Preservation Management Programs; prepares and/or co-ordinates designs, estimates, sketches and contract documents for specific repairs; supervises consultants retained for structural projects.

3. Prepares preliminary and final designs for new structures and rehabilitation of existing structures and prepares all related contract documents, supervising assigned staff (drafters, etc.) in the preparation of drawings and contract documents, ensuring appropriate technical codes, procedures, policies, standards, engineering data and legal requirements are reflected. Work may be carried out by service providers and/or in-house. Acts as project manager for structural engineering projects.

4. Carries out / coordinates through consultants the planning phase of structural projects through the preparation of feasibility studies, Structural Design Reports, Hydrology Reports and other required studies and reports for all types of transportation structures; recommends most feasible structure and methods of construction ensuring safety, adequacy and cost-effectiveness of designs with regard to future maintenance and environmental considerations.

5. Provides engineering advice and direction as required to internal staff and consultants on assigned projects; leads and/or participates in project teams in scoping out work and evaluating consultants submissions for Expression of Interest (EOI), Request for Quotations (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP), reviews and acceptance of consultants Quality Control Plans.

6. Negotiates with Federal, Provincial and other agencies and authorities for approvals required for designs, eg. Navigable Waters Protection Act.

7. Provides information and advice as requested by the Ministers Office, MPPs and other political officials, members of the public and media .

8. Carries out construction liaison activities on assigned projects or as required; reviews contractors' submissions, provides advice and resolves problems on-site which may be complex or unusual; inspects quality of work for conformance to Ministry policy, standards and specifications.

9. On a project basis, provides guidance and advice to staff, consultants, contractors, fabricators and manufacturers.

Knowledge :

Position requires a degree in civil engineering from a recognized university and full PEO registration as a professional engineer.

Work requires extensive knowledge of structural design concepts and practices for bridges and other transportation structures, thorough knowledge of the Ontario Bridge Design Code (OHBDC) and the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC), structural maintenance inspections and designs, hydrology designs, structural planning. Skill and knowledge in project management and consultant procurement procedures. Good knowledge of road design, soils, foundations, construction practices. Skill and thorough knowledge is required in identifying and assessing possible hazardous conditions and/or deficiencies in existing structures and to provide sound recommendations. Knowledge of MTO standards and specifications governing planning, design, soils, foundations, construction and maintenance. Good knowledge of computers, computer aided design programs, and programs for engineering calculations, financial analysis, and hydrology. Familiar with Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) program. Good knowledge of manuals, guidelines and precedents governing activity in the structural field. Valid class G drivers license with acceptable driving record.

Judgement :

Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Head, Structural or Supervising Engineer within the section's objectives and priorities, and requirements and limitations imposed by the Ministry's specifications, methods, procedures, criteria and Provincial and Federal legislation. Departures from normal procedures, ambiguous and marginal application of limitations require own initiative and mature professional judgement. Judgement is used in the effective application of present practices for structural and hydrology planning and designs, and to the provision of structures consistent with the funds available, safety requirements and needs of interested parties. Sound judgement is required for the application of Ministry policies and standards to varying structural maintenance problems, in particular to general public safety and inconvenience. Judgement is used in assessing work completed by engineering consultants and in tactfully suggesting corrections or modifications and in accepting final submissions for assigned projects. Judgement is used in dealing with construction-site problems and resolving issues on the spot.

Accountability - Programs :

The position is accountable for the effective and efficient structural planning, maintenance inspections, hydrology reports and structural designs. The position is professionally accountable for ensuring that optimum structural repairs and planning methods are utilized and for the accuracy and soundness of reports and designs issued for the repair and renovations to existing structures and the technical advice given to internal staff, municipalities, consultants and outside agencies. Position is required to affix Professional Engineers' stamp on engineering work carried out. Commitments are made in scheduling own time, estimating resources required and completion dates to achieve objectives.

Accountability – Personnel :

Position supervises assigned project staff, drafters and/or students on as–required basis.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Position provides cost estimates and financial analysis on a project basis.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in judgement, inferior reports and recommendations could result in uneconomical and/or unsafe structures, inadequate use of funds, costly maintenance, loss of credibility of the Structural Section and embarrassment to the Ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contacts with staff from the Regional Engineering Office, Head Office, Operational Services Office and Contracts Office to exchange information and to discuss mutual problems and to provide and obtain advice.

Contact - External :

Frequent contacts with consultants, contractors, officials from outside agencies and authorities, Provincial and Federal ministries, municipalities and the general public to co-ordinate Ministry and other agencies, provide advice and information on Regional structural matters.