Highway Engineer

State of Indiana • Indianapolis, IN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Work for Indiana Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana. About the Indiana Department of Transportation: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides a dynamic workplace that serves Indiana citizens, improves our state’s quality of life, and enhances its economic opportunity. INDOT has a number of innovative programs and projects, including Public-Private Partnerships, Green Initiatives, and cutting-edge uses of materials and assets. As part of the State of Indiana, INDOT offers a competitive total compensation package, as well as outstanding work/life balance. Whether you are an established professional in the transportation field or just starting your career, INDOT has exciting and challenging opportunities for you. Role Overview: This position will serve as the Grade Crossing Inspector and Code Administrator in the Rail Programs Office within the Division of Multimodal Transportation. Your primary job functions are to promote the safety of the motoring public at rail-highway intersections through the enforcement of Indiana Code and Indiana Administrative Code and to independently investigate and inspect railroad grade crossings to ensure compliance with federal and state safety laws, policies, and standards. You will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining a collaborative working relationship with INDOT district offices, local public agencies, the railroad industry operating in the state, and the general public.

Requirements

• A registered Professional Engineers license in Indiana is required; exceptions may be considered for candidates holding an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification who are actively pursuing PE licensure in Indiana, provided they are applying for a lower-level classification.
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply civil engineering theories, principles, methods, and procedures to the engineering specialty.
• Broad knowledge of planning, design, or construction of highway or transportation project features (such as roads, bridges, pavement, or traffic structures) in accordance with engineering design and construction standards, principles and methods.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures governing incumbents filed of specialization.
• Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply computer aided design and drafting functions to field of specialization.
• Ability to prepare and review complex design plans and reports relating to the functional area of specialization.
• Ability to perform the algebraic, trigonometric, and higher mathematical computations applied to design operations.
• Extensive knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Design Specifications, AASHTO Standard Specifications and Tests, ASTM Standards.
• Working knowledge of Indiana Design Manual (IDM), Indiana Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (IMUTCD), INDOT standard specifications and standard drawings.
• Knowledge of department systems not limited to Scheduling Project Management System (SPMS), Deighton Transportation Information Management System (dTIMS), ArcGIS, and Work Management System (WMS).
• At least 4 years of professional experience in engineering, civil engineering, transportation research, or a closely related field, applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
• Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to use bridge design software such as CONSPAN, RC-Pier, GEOMATH, and Merlin Dash.
• Required to complete one of the two National Highway Institute Courses “130055: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges” or “130056: Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges for Professional Engineers”.
• Required to complete National Highway Institute Course “130053: Bridge Inspection Refresher Training” at intervals not to exceed 60-months.
• Recommended to complete National Highway Institute Course “130078: Bridge Inspection Techniques for Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTM).
• Attend INDOT Bridge Inspection training classes and annual Local Transportation Assistant Program (LTAP) training as scheduled.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert on federal and Indiana laws and regulations that govern the railroad industry.
• Independently plan and carry out railroad grade crossing field visits/ inspections to determine compliance with applicable federal and state safety laws, rules, regulations, policies and standards.
• Use digital image technology to capture images of the crossings or facilities as necessary and transfer those images to the appropriate database(s) and to the appropriate parties.
• Rail-highway inventory updates: conduct on-site inspections of at-grade railroad crossings for updating FRA Form F6180.71 to evaluate for compliance of safety measures including, train activated warning devices, appropriate advanced warning signage, pavement markings, and proper sight distance.
• Notify the responsible parties of the deficiencies found.
• Prepare petitions for signature by Rail Programs Manager for the following circumstances: establishment of new public grade crossings, alterations, including relocation of public grade crossings; closure of public grade crossings; Extra-hazardous grade crossings for the installation of train-activated warning devices; Request to downgrade warning devices at public crossings; Less than Legal Clearance at rail-served facilities; Request to Declare a Public Grade Crossing as "Out of Service".
• Prepare 12-Month Orders in accordance with Indiana Code (IC 4-21.5-3) for the Federal Highway Section 130 program.
• Identify and recommend to Rail Programs Office and Local Public Agencies public grade crossings that are redundant and could be closed to vehicle traffic.
• Process railroad police commissions or de-commissions and review necessary documentation and prepare new Commission Certificate and Commission Card for the officer.
• Meet with LPA's and with railroads in assigned territory to discuss responsibilities at rail-highway intersections and promote the Grade Crossing Fund and Industrial Rail Service Fund programs.
• Provide technical assistance in response to public inquiries regarding railroads through the customer service department.
• Independently keep current on railroad issues at the state and federal level, as applicable, and share gained knowledge with others as appropriate.
• Using this information, provide technical assistance on federal grade crossing standards, rules, regulations, and policies to railroad companies, FRA, and other interested parties as necessary.
• Ability to stay apprised of state, federal, railroad, and industry publications that apply to staff duties to enhance knowledge of railroad equipment, facilities, programs, records, operations, and regulation of railroad grade crossings.
• Provide technical assistance to railroads and other interested parties at the time of, or in the context of, any type of inspection.
• Ability to explain and answer questions about railroad grade crossing safety standards, rules, regulations, and policies to a variety of audiences.
• Serve as a resource for proposal development and research process.
• Ensure milestones, deliverables, and implementation strategies, are established accurately.
• Assist supervisor in the development of strategic planning and resource utilization.
• Participate in providing project reviews in accordance with the Agency’s established performance standards.
• Ensure that all plans reflect the scope of services, existing field conditions, appropriate design standards, and sound engineering judgment.
• Coordinate programs and plans for the division/department; interpret laws, regulations, and guidelines within area of assignment; review program plans for completeness, economic and technical feasibility.
• Assist in the development of programs, research development & technology plans (road maps) to improve product quality.
• Review research proposals and report to ensure their accuracy, effectiveness, and potential for implementation.
• Organize, conduct, and review engineering investigations, field observations, which have a defined scope.
• Assist in analyzing engineering data and developing technical guidelines, technology initiatives, training course materials and other technical documents.
• Assist in laboratory testing with “research grade equipment” related to materials/bridge/traffic research
• Participate in Quality Control / Quality Assurance programs to ensure policy and best practices are actively deployed, analyze field data, and review plans for conformance to design criteria.

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level