Engineering Specialist II – Division 3 District 3 office (Wilmington)

State of North Carolina • Wilmington, NC

1d • $52,592 - $92,036 • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as an Engineering Specialist II in the Wilmington District Office, supporting New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. It represents the highest level of advanced technical work assisting engineers within the district and involves a broad range of decision-making responsibilities, independent judgment, and supervision of lower-level technicians. The role functions as the district’s permitting technician, working closely with local government agencies, utility representatives, contractors, property owners, and others to ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards and guidelines. Responsibilities include coordinating the review of technical plans and drawings for subdivisions, utility installations, and roadway improvements for approval and permitting; processing permits for driveways, utilities, and non-utility encroachment agreements; and reviewing requests for road additions and abandonments, along with other records and reports as assigned. The position may also conduct and coordinate preconstruction meetings and perform onsite inspections of construction activities within the right-of-way carried out by private developers and utility owners. Additional duties include training and mentoring technicians, reviewing their work for accuracy and completeness, and responding to public inquiries and complaints via phone, written correspondence, or in person. The role also supports the Division during planned operations, emergencies, and inclement weather events.
The selected applicant must be able to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle, read and interpret construction plans, and maintain effective communication with technicians, engineers, contractors, and the public. The position requires the ability to review permit and encroachment plans, identify noncompliance with NCDOT standards, and communicate deficiencies clearly to applicants. Strong organizational and time-management skills are essential to ensure permits, agreements, and projects are completed accurately and on schedule, along with the ability to prepare clear, concise memos and reports conveying technical and engineering information. Safety shoes are required.
As part of the hiring approval process, NCDOT will run a driver license check after conducting interviews, but prior to offering a position.
Prospective drivers must meet the following standards to be eligible to operate NCDOT vehicles:
• No more than two convictions of moving violations within the past three years
• No convictions of an alcohol or drug related traffic offense within the past five years
• Valid, current North Carolina driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated (Note: Employees permanently residing in adjacent states may operate a DOT vehicle using a current, valid, appropriate driver's license from their state of residence.)
• If a driver applicant has possessed an out-of-state driver’s license in the past ten years, the driver’s record from the state(s) involved shall be obtained. Such applicants and those who currently possess an out-of-state driver’s license will be responsible for providing their driving records from the appropriate states.

Requirements

• Must be able to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to read and interpret construction plans.
• Must maintain effective communication with technicians, engineers, contractors, and the public.
• Must be able to review permit and encroachment plans, identify noncompliance with NCDOT standards, and communicate deficiencies clearly to applicants.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills are essential.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise memos and reports conveying technical and engineering information.
• Safety shoes are required.
• No more than two convictions of moving violations within the past three years.
• No convictions of an alcohol or drug related traffic offense within the past five years.
• Valid, current North Carolina driver’s license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.
• Associate’s degree in an applicable area of Engineering Technology or Survey Technology from an appropriately accredited institution and seven years of progressive technician experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience reading and interpreting construction plans, contract provisions, specifications and procedures
• Customer service experience related to resolving problems that involve explaining complicated engineering concepts to various customer groups.
• Experience applying engineering concepts to solve complex problems.
• Experience working in a team environment to complete assignments
• Experience using computer programs including Microsoft Office and Teams, editing applications such as Bluebeam or Adobe, and other applicable software.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an Engineering Specialist II in the Wilmington District Office, supporting New Hanover and Brunswick Counties.
• Functions as the district’s permitting technician.
• Coordinates the review of technical plans and drawings for subdivisions, utility installations, and roadway improvements for approval and permitting.
• Processes permits for driveways, utilities, and non-utility encroachment agreements.
• Reviews requests for road additions and abandonments, along with other records and reports as assigned.
• Conducts and coordinates preconstruction meetings.
• Performs onsite inspections of construction activities within the right-of-way carried out by private developers and utility owners.
• Trains and mentors technicians, reviewing their work for accuracy and completeness.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints via phone, written correspondence, or in person.
• Supports the Division during planned operations, emergencies, and inclement weather events.

Benefits

• The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree