Engineering Assistant 1/2 Flex (PCN 250662)

About the Department

What you will be doing:

This entry-level engineering assistant position supports the highway design group by applying transportation engineering principles to help solve roadway-related challenges. The role involves preparing design study reports, roadway geometrics, drainage analyses, accident analyses, cost estimates, bid schedules, and other materials needed for complete highway project documentation. It requires researching and applying state design standards, engineering guidelines, and regional procedures to ensure all contract documents meet required quality. The assistant will help design horizontal and vertical alignments, develop typical sections, and create both open-channel and enclosed storm drain systems for highway projects. Additional responsibilities include determining traffic barrier warrants, conducting cost-effectiveness analyses, and developing traffic control and construction sequencing plans. The job also includes calculating pay quantities, outlining and reviewing special provisions, and selecting proper pay items for highway construction contracts. Field inspections and collaboration with other functional groups are essential for resolving design issues and supporting successful project development.

Our organization, mission, and culture:

The DOT&PF mission is to "Keep Alaska Moving" and your role in this position is directly tied to the most critical aspects of the mission. Alaska's highways and airports are important resources that meet basic transportation needs and are critical to health and safety. They play a vital role in supporting our economy by serving communities throughout the state as well as the oil, gas, timber, commercial fishing, tourist, and other industries. You will collaborate with multiple functional groups within the department, coordinate with staff from multiple areas of expertise, and assist with public and agency meetings to successfully construct capital improvement projects in Central Region, thereby delivering the department's mission. This department is mission-focused with an organizational atmosphere that promotes excellence, integrity, teamwork, and public service.

The benefits of joining our team:
The position provides for professional advancement within the Department, health benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and competitive salary.  The position compensates for overtime hours, has paid holidays annually, personal leave accrual, 2 retirement plans, and other optional benefits.  

The working environment you can expect:
Your office will be located at 4111 Aviation Avenue, Anchorage, AK. This work location allows you many options to live and play near a wide range of fantastic outdoor areas and urban community activities. Office hours are flexible and allow for short work and/or part-time telework in accordance with established policies. This position requires limited travel within the state, primarily southcentral Alaska. Trips are typically day-trips.

Who we are looking for:

To be successful in this position, the selected applicant will possess the following core competencies:

• General Engineering: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of engineering and their practical applications.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Problem Solving: Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations
• Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Special Note:

• A valid Driver's License is preferred but not essential.
• Engineer-in-training certification is preferred but not essential.
  
  

To view the general description and example of duties for positions please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Position Duties

Engineering Assistant 1
Bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying from a postsecondary institution accredited by ABET.

Or:
A bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying from a postsecondary institution not accredited by ABET.
AND
An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) or Land Surveyor-In-Training (LSIT) certificate issued by a state or the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors; or verification of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination.

Special Note:
An applicant who will obtain within nine months a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by ABET, with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying, will qualify to apply. An applicant qualifying under this option may receive a job offer conditional upon completion of the degree requirement within nine months, and may begin work AFTER obtaining and showing proof of the required degree.

Engineering-In-Training or Flex Engineering Assistant 1/Engineering Assistant 2 positions will be identified by the employing department.



Engineering Assistant 2
Bachelor's degree, or the equivalent with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying from an institution accredited by ABET.
AND
One year of entry level engineering, architectural or land surveying experience as an Engineering Assistant 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent elsewhere.

Or:
A bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, architecture or land surveying from an institution not accredited by ABET.
AND
An Engineer-In-Training (EIT) or Land Surveyor-In-Training (LSIT) certificate issued by a state or the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors; or verification of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination.
AND
One year of entry level engineering, architectural or land surveying experience as an Engineering Assistant 1 with the State of Alaska or the equivalent elsewhere.

Or:
Five years of progressively responsible subprofessional engineering experience of which two years was as a Journey level Engineering Technician or Drafting Technician 3 with the State of Alaska, or the equivalent elsewhere.

Substitution:
Graduate study in engineering and/or architecture may be substituted for the required experience as an Engineering Assistant 1. (2 semester/3 quarter hours equal one month of experience).

Special Note:
The employing department will identify Engineering-In-Training (EIT) positions.
Transcripts which indicate the credit hours earned for the specific coursework may be requested at the time of interview or prior.

Minimum Qualifications

At time of application, applicants are requested to submit:

• Cover Letter - See instructions below

At time of interview, applicants are requested to submit (if not already attached to your application):

• Three (3) professional references, including name, job title, and current phone numbers. 
• Copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcript) if using education to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
• Copy of Professional License, EIT, or other professional licenses, as applicable

ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY 

Please be sure to check our residency definition to determine if you qualify. 

COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required as part of your application.  In your cover letter, please describe how you possess the position specific competencies listed in the “Who We Are Looking For” section and how your skills will be of particular benefit to the position. We request your cover letter be no more than two to three paragraphs and limited to one page. 

FLEXIBLY STAFFED

This position is flexibly staffed. It may be filled at the Engineering Assistant 1 or Engineering Assistant 2 level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level the position is hired at. If filled at a lower level, promotion to the higher level will occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS 
This recruitment utilizes a supplemental questionnaire as part of the application process. These questions may be a mix of written, multiple-choice, and select all that apply questions. The answers you provide to the questions will be an opportunity for you to tell us about your experience and/or education. The answers will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process; please be as thorough and accurate as you can.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Other Qualifications

For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager(s) at the following: 
 
Name: Rori Van Nortwick, P.E., Project Manager
Phone: (907) 269-0587
Email:  [email protected]

OR
 
Name: Teodore Odena, Central Region Recruitment Coordinator
Phone: (907) 269-0530
Email: [email protected]

Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State:   See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts.  Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note:  The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of AlaskaAddress PO Box 110201

Juneau, Alaska, 99811 Phone(800) 587-0430 (Statewide toll-free number)
(907) 465-4095 (Juneau and out-of-state callers)Website http://workplace.alaska.gov/