Geotechnical Engineer; TE Specialist

Job Description

Do you have an understanding of the highway design process necessary to develop highway projects from concept to construction? If yes, the Design Bureau is looking to hire a full-time Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Engineering Specialist (TES)) who will be part of a team developing projects that enhance the state and national transportation system in Iowa. You would also need to have a comprehensive understanding of geotechnical engineering, including foundation application and design, soil stability determinations and remediation, and geotechnical interpretations associated with highway and bridge projects.

As a Geotechnical Engineer, you will be responsible for geotechnical investigations, analysis, recommendations, and designs for transportation projects throughout the State of Iowa. These include geotechnical engineering for roadways, subgrades, bridges, culverts, buildings, and fill embankments. Additional duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Advising consultants on both standard and non-standard subsurface investigations, analyses, and geotechnical designs (including structural bearing analysis, subsurface treatments, settlement, slope stability, and drainage).
• Designing slope stability remediation measures, which include stability berms and flattened slopes in addition to more complex design measures such as rock buttresses and Yugoslavian drains.
• Assisting with emergency response and disaster coordination as needed for major rain and flooding events.

This person will collaborate with numerous stakeholders to develop innovative geotechnical solutions that are vital to fulfilling our Mission – Making Lives Better Through Transportation. We are looking for someone who will demonstrate, with their actions and behaviors, the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values:
Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

• Must possess and maintain registration as a professional engineer in Iowa, as established by the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau’s Engineering and Land Survey Board as an Iowa Professional Engineer in Active status.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• The most critical competencies of this position are the comprehensive understanding of advanced geotechnical engineering necessary to properly evaluate settlement, stability, subgrades, drainage, and other soils/foundation-related work associated with highway and bridge projects.

Ames, Iowa – Design Bureau/Soils Design Section

Days, Monday through Friday. Flexible work hours are available, and some travel will be required.

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately – biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• All of the following (a and b):
• Licensure as a professional engineer; and
• Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
• All of the following (a, b, and c):
• Licensure as a professional engineer; and
• One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural,…