3B03
HIGHWAY DISTRICT ENGINEER
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is second-level supervisory engineering work directing street construction, maintenance programs, inspectional operations and snow operations in an assigned highway district or districts. An employee in this class participates in the development of highway construction plans and specifications, performs engineering calculations in certifying quantities of materials used, and assesses field conditions to determine the need for modifications in project plans. Work also includes supervising, through subordinate supervisors, the inspection of street construction and major repair projects performed by private contractors for adherence to standards and the work of a number of street repair crews engaged in maintaining and repairing streets. The incumbents in this class are routinely required to work on Saturday and occasionally in the evenings in addition to the normal 40-hour workweek due to the necessity for being present during all periods of major streets construction and winter weather related emergencies within the district(s). Of major significance to this work is the establishment of effective working relationships with contractors on projects and tactfully dealing with the departmental and city officials and the general public. Work is performed under the direction of a Streets Assistant Chief Engineer.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be
allocated to this class.)
1. Positions in this class supervise, through subordinate supervisors, street construction, maintenance programs, and snow operations and inspection operations in an assigned highway district or districts in the Streets Department.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Prepares and supervises the preparation of specifications, quantity calculations, cost estimates, engineering computations and related engineering work as it pertains to highways construction, reconstruction and maintenance; modifies proposed drawings and engineering designs; issues permits such as street closure permits for assigned district(s).
Plans, assigns and reviews, through subordinate supervisors, the work of a number of street repair crews engaged in the maintenance and repair of city streets in an assigned highway district or districts.
Supervises, through a subordinate supervisor, a group of inspectors engaged in inspecting streets, driveways, retaining walls, drainage structures and alley construction work performed by private contractors; ensures projects conform to approved traffic plans and right of way infrastructure.
Reviews daily, weekly and/or monthly reports governing inspectional activities; reviews all activities and problems encountered; schedules meetings during the project to find solutions to problems and interpret contract requirements.
Makes on site inspections of the construction projects while in progress to determine that specific phases of the work are performed in accordance with predetermined outlines; interprets the plans and specifications for the contractor and determines whether the intent of the plans and specifications has been properly carried out; resolves disputes with contractors regarding the intent of the city a specific phase in a contract requirement; confers with design and construction engineering staff to determine the appropriateness of proposed changes.
Plans, coordinates, and manages the salting and plowing of all primary, secondary, and residential routes for their assigned highway district(s); develops and updates snow maps, routes, and grids; coordinates the contractors hired for major snow storm operations; works with other city departments, agencies, and officials to coordinate activities; reports on all operations.
Confers with departmental personnel and other city officials to resolve problems on contract specifications and/or problems arising because of unusual field conditions such as lines and grades, condition of subsoil, etc; contacts and confers with private contractors on problems arising over contract specifications or other matters.
Sight checks each street in the district noting its conditions; prepares a list of streets requiring paving, resurfacing, reconstruction or total improvements; determines illegal encroachments and issues street code violations; develops a street paving program to determine the order in which streets should be paved; analyzes road conditions; reviews upcoming construction or utility projects for consideration of paving program; forwards list to supervisor for use as a basis in establishing priorities for the city or private contract street paving and repairs.
Receives complaints from the general public, city officials and through departmental inspections on various aspects of highway district activities; assigns priority to the complaint to subordinates for investigation; informs neighborhood groups of the reasons for job delays, street closings and the like; submits complaint reports, resolves defective roadway issues and informs supervisor of the resolution.
Directs contractors or highway divisional employees engaged in snow removal activities, coordinates in safeguarding Streets Department assets during construction, assists the department in severe weather, multiple alarm fires, street cave-ins, gas or water main breaks, or other such emergencies in the assigned highway district or districts.
Plans, assigns and reviews the work of a support staff engaged in the data management and maintenance of district records and reports.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• engineering theory and the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to highway design, construction and maintenance
• the methods and techniques of civil engineering as applied to inspecting and testing materials used in highway design, construction and maintenance
• the strength and use of construction materials and equipment as they pertain to highway design, construction and maintenance
• the methods and techniques of planning and managing snow removal activities
• supervisory methods and techniques
• contracting procedures, requirements, and regulations relevant to the work
• administrative principles and techniques relevant to the work including budget management and staff utilization
• city ordinances and standards pertaining to the construction and maintenance of streets, curbs and footways, alleys and driveways and retaining walls
ABILITY TO:
• understand and interpret engineering drawings and contract specifications pertaining to the construction, reconstruction or repair of city streets, curbs and footways, alleys and driveways and retaining walls
• resolve field engineering problems as they pertain to the highway construction and maintenance program
• use computer applications and systems needed to plan, measure and report highway design, construction, snow and ice removal, and maintenance
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
• analyze construction and specification interpretation problems and to exercise sound judgment and their resolution
• analyze data and explain contract deviations to contractors and to resolve disputes firmly and tactfully
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, and others
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/19.)
OPTION 1:
EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in civil engineering, or architecture.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of engineering experience, two years of which shall have been at the full performance level.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
One year of supervisory engineering experience in highway design, construction, maintenance or inspection.
OR
OPTION 2:
EDUCATION:
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
OR
Any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience which has included completion of two years in an acceptable area of civil engineering or architecture as an educational minimum.
City of Philadelphia classes which typically meet the specific experience:
Construction Engineer (3B71)
Construction Projects Technician 3 (3A19)
Engineering Supervisor 1 (3B81)
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of appointment as a Highway District Engineer.
Class Established
Ad. Board - 11/55
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 4/07
Ad. Board - 5/07
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 4/19
Ad. Board – 5/19
JH