Assistant Chief Engineer - Design

Job Purpose and Summary

 

This position is responsible for the oversight of all Design Engineering operations and program activities for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC). Work involves providing leadership and support to staff enabling them to maximize their effectiveness in achieving the business goals of the PTC. Work is performed with a high degree of independence, discretion, and judgement. Supervision is exercised over internal/external staff and subordinate supervisors engaged in design engineering projects.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Directs, plans, and organizes the Design Engineering operations and staff including supervision, performance management, delegation of work assignments, and review of work product.

Oversees the management and administration of design engineering contracts and ensures adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. 

Oversees design operations and activities. Establishes objectives, schedules, and priorities for engineering design activities. Manages the review of engineering design activities performed by PTC staff and external engineering consultants. Ensures that work is completed in adherence with the requirements established within contract documents and within state and federal regulations.

Directs the supervision of professional engineering consultants to ensure that work is completed in accordance with contract documents. 

Ensures the proper assessment of staffing needs to properly manage design projects. Recommends and initiates the usage of external consultants to supplement PTC staff when needed. Directs the acquisition process for all professional services resources to supplement PTC staff as needed. Oversees the review of all design consultant proposals, including the approval of the Technical Evaluation Teams (TET) and their recommendations.

Oversees the development and administration of design contracts for facilities work, identifying and programming major facility repair, and major facility related projects. 

Oversees the management of geo-technical engineers and review of environmental reports. Ensures timely resolution of engineering concerns that arise from geo-technical and/or environmental issues involved with PTC projects. 

Develops and recommends policies to improve the operational efficiency of the Engineering Department. Establishes procedures to ensure compliance with all PTC policies. 

Oversees the final preparation of the PTC’s Capital Plan for both the Highway and FEMO programs. Establishes priorities for the use of the Capital Plan and engineering design operating budget funds. Monitors actual spending vs. budgeted/forecasted values. Continually monitors to ensure that the budget meets or exceeds the PTC’s goals and objectives.

Anticipates impediments of project progress and ensures that all issues are resolved in a timely and fair manner. Works with the Legal Department when issues/projects need legal counsel.

Reviews all design related proposals and makes recommendations to executive management. Ensures the appropriate preparation of all Commission agenda items being proposed by Design Engineering. 

Participates and represents the PTC in meetings, seminars, committees, and other related functions.

Uses situational awareness to anticipate and prevent accidents.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering. 

Fourteen (14) years of experience in engineering in a transportation environment. Equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be accepted.

Six (6) of the years of experience must be in a supervisory capacity.

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license as issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers.

Possession of a valid driver’s license. Must obtain and maintain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license within six (6) months of employment.

Competencies

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Position demands include frequent speaking, writing, and reading reports. Position requires frequent work at a computer utilizing business programs and PTC specific operating systems. Position requires frequent travel and/or fieldwork with exposure to roadway traffic. Occasionally works outside of normal business hours for assigned work assignments.

Office environment with low levels of noise, adequate lighting, and comfortable temperature. Field environment may include exposure to moderately adverse and undesirable conditions. Physical environment is generally safe, but safety equipment or precautions must be followed in field conditions.  

Disclaimer

The information provided in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent(s) within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of the employee(s) assigned to this job. Management has the discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.