Engineering Assistant

State of North Carolina • Pender County, NC

6d

About The Position

The Traffic Survey Group within the Transportation Mobility and Safety Division manages NCDOT’s Traffic Monitoring System, which provides traffic data for planning studies, travel-demand model validation, air-quality analysis, project prioritization, traffic forecasting, pavement monitoring, safety analysis, enforcement, research, and other uses. The group develops, plans, collects, processes, analyzes, and publishes traffic-monitoring data.

The Engineering Assistant collects traffic counts using portable traffic counters and non-intrusive sensors along the Interstate. The primary assignment covers Sampson, Duplin, Pender, New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Bladen counties. The position installs counters and pneumatic tube sensors roadside and in travel lanes on highways, collects data at regular monitoring and project stations, and processes weekly count data using a laptop and vendor and unit software. The employee manages electronic count files and may travel outside the assigned territory to collect data.

The position has an alternate workstation at home and an assigned vehicle and equipment. Extensive daily travel is required, with periodic overnight travel. Night work is required on higher-volume highways and in some urban areas. The employee must be able to legally operate a motor vehicle and operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle in all weather conditions and in darkness. The work requires initiative, sound judgment, independent work, and completing tasks on schedule.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be able to legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle in all weather conditions and during hours of darkness.
• Ability to work independently and complete tasks on schedule.
• Ability to use a hammer to drive large nails.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to withstand extreme weather and terrain conditions.
• Ability to work at night on higher-volume highways and in certain urban areas.
• Ability to travel extensively, including periodic overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using hand tools.
• Experience performing manual and physical labor in varied environmental conditions.
• Experience using laptop computers to manage files, submit reports, and communicate ideas clearly and effectively.
• Experience working in a team environment to complete assignments.
• Experience maintaining standard daily records and reports.

Responsibilities

• Collect traffic volume counts using portable traffic counters.
• Collect traffic data using non-intrusive sensors along the Interstate.
• Install traffic counters and pneumatic tube sensors roadside and in highway travel lanes.
• Collect traffic data at regular monitoring stations and project stations.
• Process count data weekly using a laptop and vendor and unit software.
• Manage electronic count files on a laptop.
• Travel to collect data in urban areas and locations outside the assigned territory.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED