Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide advanced structural engineering expertise, leadership and services in the safety assurance and infrastructure management activities related to structures, including the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation, inspection and management of bridges, culverts and other transportation structures; development of structural-related policies, procedures, standards, manuals and systems and project management support for all phases of structural-related projects.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Perform tasks related to the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation, inspection and overall management of bridges, culverts and other transportation structures including:
• Co-ordinating and carrying out the design of new complex structures and structural rehabilitations including the preparation of related contract documents.
• Providing expert technical recommendations to regions and consultants for alternatives for new structures and rehabilitation strategies for existing structures with consideration to venous factors including site conditions, economics, long term maintenance, soil conditions, hydrology, existing structure condition, innovative construction techniques and state of the art design methods and materials.
• Leading the monitoring and reviewing of preliminary and final designs, rehabilitation proposals, evaluations, drawings and contract documents prepared by consultants or regions to ensure the designs or rehabilitations are structurally adequate, economical and follow the requirements of the latest design Code, Ministry standards, specifications, policies and procedures.
• Providing expert technical guidance for structural and related analysis of existing structures to assess the feasibility of proposed rehabilitation, load posting, load testing and investigation of problems from structural damage to ensure safety and adequacy of the structure.
• Leading the monitoring of bridge inspections, carrying out inspections and leading studies to assess the vulnerability of structures for earthquake, scour, fatigue, strength evaluation or other issues
• Providing support for the Ministry's asset management function as related to existing structures by co-ordinating the research and development of theories, models, methods and toots related to financial analysis needs estimation and prioritization for rehabilitation projects; reviewing analysis of funding scenarios to achieve network level performance targets and developing associated rehabilitation programs; and leading the development and support of systems related to the management of structures.
• Co-ordinating project management services for multiple structural-related projects for all stages and components including initial planning, feasibility and other studies, negotiation with outside agencies to obtain approvals, acquisition and management of outside service providers, review of project deliverables and construction liaison
• Leading the monitoring of new construction projects and repair and rehabilitation projects to ensure conformance with original design and current Ministry policies, procedures and specifications.
• Leading the monitoring, on an ongoing basis, the adequacy, effectiveness and performance of completed projects and recommending improvements to current practices/methods. Co-ordinating the review and up-dating of policies, procedures, specifications and manuals In response to findings
• Providing specialized and expert level technical assistance to others in the Ministry, consulting engineers, fabricators, contractors and suppliers concerning structural evaluations, rehabilitations, inspections, design and construction problems, maintenance of structures, investigations related to problems arising from structural damage or rehabilitation and revisions to plans and specifications where there are unusual problems or issues. Providing expert level technical guidance to lower level professional staff and technicians during the design and preparation of contract documents for Ministry bridges. Co-ordinating and providing training to Ministry staff and outside service providers in the design rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection of structures.
• Co-ordinating the research and development of new and improved methods of design, rehabilitation, construction evaluation and inspection Co-ordinating and providing expert technical advice for the load testing and remote monitoring of existing structures to ensure safety and adequacy of the structure Providing expert technical advice for studies related to vehicle weights and dimensions.
• Co-ordinating and providing expert technical advice for the updating of policies, procedures, specifications, codes, manuals and systems.
• Participating in internal and external technical research and standard setting bodies (e.g. Canadian Standards Association) including acting as Chair or participating on technical steering committees, and setting or participating in setting agenda/ priorities

Knowledge :

Knowledge
• Must be licensed by Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
• Advanced knowledge to be applied to the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation, load testing and inspection of Ministry structures including:
- Theories, principles and practices of civil engineering with emphasis on bridge design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection and practical experience in the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection of both simple and medium complexity bridges.
New developments in bridge design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection and an understanding of related fields such as road design, hydrology, soils and foundations.
Ministry standards, specifications policies and practices, in particular the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC), Structure Rehabilitation Manual especially condition surveys, Structural Steel Coating Manual, Structural Manual, Structural Financial Analysis Manual, Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) and
Ontario Provincial Standards (OPS).
- Computers, structural analysis and design systems and asset management systems in particular the Bridge Management System (BMS)
• Excellent oral communication skills to provide advice on structure design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation , inspection, explain requirements of policies and standards, give presentations/training sessions to staff and outside service providers and to participate in internal and external committees.
• Excellent written communication skills to provide written manuals, guidelines, specifications, reports, letters, memos, briefing materials, contract documents and other documentation.
• Advanced project management skills for the delivery of multiple structural-related projects.
• Advanced research, analytical and problem solving skills to carry out the design, rehabilitation, construction, evaluation and inspection of structures and to develop new policies, standards, procedures, tools and models.
• Advanced leadership, planning and organizational skills to lead, co-ordinate or carry out various projects or assignments simultaneously and to chair committees
• Excellent consultation and negotiation skills for the development of new policies, standards and specifications dealing with outside agencies and for participation in various internal and external committees

Judgement :

Work is performed independently under the general direction of a Section Head 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. Work and advice is accepted as authoritative with only unusual problems or issues discussed with supervisor. Judgement is used as follows
• Recommending type and arrangement of new structures, proposed rehabilitation work on existing structures, assessing the practicability, economics, environmental impact and adequacies of alternative design or rehabilitation proposals or new concepts in structural design and rehabilitation.
• Effective application at the program level of present practices for structural planning and to the provision of structures consistent with the funds available, safety requirements and needs of interested parties.
• Monitoring or reviewing preliminary and final proposals and ensuring that new designs or rehabilitations comply with the bridge code and Ministry standards, specifications, policies and procedures
• Inspecting, evaluating and load testing existing structures to determine adequacy of the structure and type and extent of remedial measures including repairs, rehabilitations, strengthening or load posting
• Managing multiple structural-related projects including project schedules and resources
• Assigning projects or tasks to lower level professional staff or technicians.
• Assessing work completed by lower level staff and service providers and in tactfully suggesting corrections or modifications and in accepting final submissions for assigned projects.
• Resolving problems encountered during construction affecting design and overall safety of structures.
• Applying Ministry policies and standards to varying structural problems, in particular those that impact general public safety and inconvenience or where projects/problems depart from normal procedures, applications of codes or standards are ambiguous or marginally applicable.
• Providing technical assistance or advice to determine the extent of assistance required and the appropriate response.

Accountability - Programs :

Position is accountable at the overall program level for the accuracy, completeness, compliance with codes, standards, policies and procedures and cost effectiveness of designs for new bridges and rehabilitation of existing bridges, either prepared or reviewed by the incumbent. Position is accountable at the overall program level for ensuring evaluations, load tests, load postings and inspections, either carried out or reviewed by the incumbent, comply with all applicable codes, standards, policies and procedures. Position is accountable for the accuracy and completeness of calculations, information, technical advice and recommendations for structures for all lower level professional staff. Position is accountable for ensuring that all projects managed by the section are on time, on budget and deliverables are complete. Position is professionally responsible for all engineering work carried out and is required to affix the incumbent's Professional Engineering Seal and signature on all contract drawings and reports. Commitments are made in scheduling own time and time of lower level staff for projects, estimating resources required and completion dates to achieve objectives.

Accountability – Personnel :

Position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but will provide work assignments and technical advice to lower level professional staff, and technicians on a regular basis.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Position provides cost estimates and financial analysis on a project or network basis to ensure the most economical use of Ministry funds for structures.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Errors in judgement, analysis, designs, evaluations, inspections, reports and recommendations could result in uneconomical and/or unsafe structures, inadequate use of funds, costly maintenance, loss of credibility of the Bridge Office and embarrassment to the Ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Position has frequent contact with engineers in the Regions to exchange information, provide advice and monitor/review proposals and contract documents. Regularly meet with peers and associates in Head Office to discuss technical problems and issues of mutual concern.

Contact - External :

Regularly with consultants, other jurisdictions and associations to provide information and interpretation of Ministry standards and policies and to review and monitor completed work. Occasionally with contractors to resolve issues on individual projects. Occasionally with officials from outside agencies and authorities to obtain required approvals. Contacts are maintained in the broader structural field by participating in structural committees, code vetting and attending