23924 - Area Construction Engineer

Virginia Department of Transportation•Staunton, VA

8h•$103,950 - $168,919

About The Position

The Area Construction Engineer leads and guides construction inspection staff and managers to achieve district contract goals for safety, quality, schedule, and budget across construction and maintenance contracts. The role independently performs and oversees contract construction activities within a geographic region, identifies improvement methods, and makes cost-effective recommendations consistent with safety, environmental, federal, and state standards. The engineer serves as the responsible charge engineer for highway construction functions, provides professional engineering advice and direction to staff, and manages an assigned District engineering section. Responsibilities also include planning and monitoring project activities, fiscal management, technical guidance on transportation projects, and developing team members. The position manages construction project budgets, project development and constructability reviews, contract coordination, scheduling, quality improvement, strategic initiatives, and technical guidance. It works with district and residency staff, contractors, FHWA, government entities, stakeholders, and the public to support successful transportation project delivery. The role is also part of the district’s senior leadership team and supports VDOT’s mission, performance goals, and strategic plan.

Requirements

Degree in Construction Engineering or a related field.
Valid Professional Engineer's license.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to apply federal, FHWA, state, and local transportation rules, regulations, and policies.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with diverse audiences, make presentations, and conduct meetings.
Ability to oversee construction activities for multiple projects of varying complexity.
Knowledge of engineering design for roadways, structures, drainage, and environmental matters, including applicable state and federal standards.
Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control methods.
Knowledge of transportation construction principles and practices, project management, processes, and quality assurance and control methods.
Skill in project scheduling and management.
Skill in using computers and software applications to support VDOT operations.
Ability to manage engineering administrative, financial, and technical functions; staff, programs, and budgets; and supervise and evaluate others.
Advanced knowledge of transportation and highway engineering principles, laws, and regulations.
Knowledge of constructability reviews, contract administration, engineering construction practices, strategic and operational methods, and supervisory and human resources practices.
Ability to provide technical and engineering guidance to construction staff, design engineers, and others; research and analyze data; and prepare and present technical reports.
Skill in relationship building, planning and scheduling diverse teams, leadership coaching and development, customer service, and working with management and elected and appointed officials.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Certified Construction Manager (CCM).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience in transportation engineering project and program management.
Progressively responsible managerial experience in transportation engineering.
Experience interpreting federal and state transportation engineering guidelines, policies, and practices.
Extensive experience conducting highway and structures constructability reviews focused on scheduling, assessments, and report recommendations.
Extensive experience leading and supervising construction and engineering staff.
Extensive experience leading construction engineering staff in resolving construction issues and improving project quality across projects of varying complexity.
Extensive experience leading engineering staff in resolving issues for projects of varying complexity.
Progressively responsible experience in transportation engineering.
Progressively responsible experience managing and administering diversified transportation engineering or construction programs.

Responsibilities

Lead and guide construction inspection staff and managers in achieving contract goals for safety, quality, schedule, and budget.
Oversee contract construction activities within an assigned geographic region and serve as responsible charge engineer for highway construction functions.
Manage the assigned District engineering section, including planning and monitoring project activities and providing fiscal management and technical guidance.
Manage budgets and construction contract expenditures to stay within allocations and meet performance goals.
Communicate VDOT initiatives and project information to the public, government entities, legislators, media, business partners, and other stakeholders; respond to inquiries and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
Coordinate with FHWA on work orders, notices of intent, and claims, and work with residencies to determine staffing, equipment, and supply needs.
Conduct field visits to confirm design and construction work is within contract scope and applicable standards and specifications.
Evaluate project development for constructability, develop project schedules and timeframes, participate in project reviews and meetings, and submit constructability reports and checklists.
Ensure biddability analyses are completed and review plans and contract special provisions before construction begins.
Organize work units, assign workloads, manage resources and priorities, direct project managers, and evaluate performance.
Represent VDOT in contractor meetings, resolve public concerns and contract issues, and coordinate with district and residency staff.
Schedule and monitor projects through construction, assess compliance with guidelines and policies, recommend corrective actions, and report program accomplishments.
Lead construction quality improvement and dispute resolution; interpret plans, schedules, and contract requirements and provide technical advice.
Conduct project reviews and field assessments, document findings, follow up on recommendations, and prepare reports identifying constructability issues and resolutions.
Participate in district and agency strategic initiatives, support performance goals, and recommend process improvements and program efficiencies.
Apply engineering and project management expertise to resolve transportation issues and recommend improvements to technical policies and directives.
Train, coach, and develop team members.