Region Engineer for Department of Natural Resources

Do you like to work outdoors?  Are you tired of working solely in the office?  Are you interested in designing bridges, foundations and retaining walls in the woods?  Are you a problem solver that seeks unique challenges and implements new ideas?  If so, the Washington Department of Natural Resources Forest Roads Division has the perfect position for you.

DNR has 1,000 bridges, 865 fish passage culverts and 14,000 miles of forest road that needs to be maintained and on occasion replaced.  As a Northeast Washington Region Engineer, you will manage the day to day operations of region's engineering program.   The primary purpose of the position is to maintain a safe transportation infrastructure that serves both state resources on DNR trust lands, and provides for public access. A fundamental responsibility of this position is protecting natural resources during maintenance/construction activities and reducing damages during unforeseen storm induced events.  The position is responsible for producing contracts for road construction which enforce standards, and demonstrate prudent stewardship of Trust lands. Plus, you will visit and work in some spectacular sites and work with some awesome people.

DNR is a unique government agency that is self-funded.  In fact, each year state forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands generate more than $300 million dollars for public schools, state institutions, county services and aquatic restoration.  We do this by sustainably managing 2.2 million acres land and by selling timber through timber sales and harvesting.  You will also find that DNR offers has some of the most diverse career opportunities for advancement as well as challenging infrastructure projects. 

Working in the serenity of a forest, you will be assigned the most complex and difficult forest roads engineering projects.  To be successful you will need to come with good skills problem solving, design, construction and maintenance of bridges, culverts and retaining walls. Having good customer relationship and communication skills is also important, because there are 50 engineers in DNR who you will work with on projects as the lead design engineer and engineering mentor.  You will have the opportunity to work solely as well as interact with a team to complete projects.

Responsibilities:

• Direct supervision of the Forest Roads Design Section.  Oversee and manager engineers and designers in the design of complex forest bridges, bottomless arches, culverts, and road stabilization projects.
• Prepare type, size and location for new bridges and assess costs of different types, provide recommendations for replacement. 
• Supervise, plan and prepare Plans, Specifications and Estimates for public works contracts for bridges and road stabilization projects. 
• Establish and maintain appropriate design and drawing standards for Forest Roads.  Provide written updates and continuous improvements to the Forest Roads Guidebook.
• Provide structural engineering for design of bridges and foundation using AASHTO LRFD standards.
• Design foundations using concrete spread footing, pile supported caps, geosynthetics reinforced soil-integrated bridge systems.
• Conduct load-rating analysis for existing bridges in accordance with AASHTO LRFD standards.  Assist with posting of deficient bridges.
• Manage the program’s bridge inspection program, which includes a mobile bridge inspection application, providing continuing education opportunities for our bridge inspectors, and mentoring our engineers who inspect bridges.
• Assist with bridge inspections, evaluate and design repair modifications using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps or other appropriate technology to extend the life of
• Develop and collaborate on the design of timber and log stringer bridges often used as temporary structures on Forest Roads.
• Supervise and collect topography and stream data for fish barrier projects using robotic total station and survey grade GPS.
• Use AutoCAD and Civil 3d for construction drawings.  Verify turning radius for design vehicles with Vehicle Tracking software.
• Review and comment on public works contracts prepared by region and district engineers.
• Work with other programs in DNR on engineering projects, which could include trailheads for Recreation or demolition projects for Natural Areas

Responsibilities:

• Direct supervision of the Forest Roads Design Section.  Oversee and manager engineers and designers in the design of complex forest bridges, bottomless arches, culverts, and road stabilization projects.
• Prepare type, size and location for new bridges and assess costs of different types, provide recommendations for replacement. 
• Supervise, plan and prepare Plans, Specifications and Estimates for public works contracts for bridges and road stabilization projects. 
• Establish and maintain appropriate design and drawing standards for Forest Roads.  Provide written updates and continuous improvements to the Forest Roads Guidebook.
• Provide structural engineering for design of bridges and foundation using AASHTO LRFD standards.
• Design foundations using concrete spread footing, pile supported caps, geosynthetics reinforced soil-integrated bridge systems.
• Conduct load-rating analysis for existing bridges in accordance with AASHTO LRFD standards.  Assist with posting of deficient bridges.
• Manage the program’s bridge inspection program, which includes a mobile bridge inspection application, providing continuing education opportunities for our bridge inspectors, and mentoring our engineers who inspect bridges.
• Assist with bridge inspections, evaluate and design repair modifications using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps or other appropriate technology to extend the life of
• Develop and collaborate on the design of timber and log stringer bridges often used as temporary structures on Forest Roads.
• Supervise and collect topography and stream data for fish barrier projects using robotic total station and survey grade GPS.
• Use AutoCAD and Civil 3d for construction drawings.  Verify turning radius for design vehicles with Vehicle Tracking software.
• Review and comment on public works contracts prepared by region and district engineers.
• Work with other programs in DNR on engineering projects, which could include trailheads for Recreation or demolition projects for Natural Areas.

Responsibilities:

Engineering Program Management:
Manages the Region’s Engineering Program by setting, maintaining and providing construction standards, policy administration, and necessary staff training.  Provides oversight for accomplishment of road construction, maintenance and abandonment plans (RMAPs).  Ultimately responsible for maintaining the region’s road system, with special emphasis on fish barrier removals, and compliance with WDFW emergency habitat protection interests.

Supervision:
Supervises four (4) permanent direct report personnel, with secondary supervision for eight (8) permanent positions and three (3) career seasonal positions.  Engineering staff under this position provide direct services to the Timber Sales Programs within RMCA funding, by developing Road Plan contracts and compliance administrating services. Manages administrative functions, for safety training, and time keeping.  Reviews all timber sale packets to insure intent and clarity of road plans.  Oversees contract compliance on select projects requiring Engineering staff participation.  In addition, engineering staff provide road management and maintenance services to the Forest Roads Program with Access Road Revolving Fund (ARRF) funding, by developing maintenance plans and contracts, and bridge, culvert and road inspections.

Engineering Projects:
As a licensed engineer, reviews and directly supervises and stamps designs and installation of difficult or complex engineering projects including roads, large culverts and bridges.  Assists and trains foresters with harvest system and logging layout planning.

Public Works Contracts:
Oversees preparation of Public Works and maintenance contracts, guiding staff engineers through the process, and communication of intent in the written clauses.

Negotiations:
Functions as a negotiator, and expert on engineering and construction practices, on Forest Practices, surface mining, easement acquisition/granting, and multiple land use issues.

Road Program Budget Management:
Manages NE Region Road Program budget allotment (ARRF and capital funds) for all staffing, equipment, and project expenditures, compliance with RCW, WAC, Agency Policies, and Division requests.  Estimates project costs and staff expenditures to develop a biennial budget.  Monthly tracks expenditures and reviews variance reports.

Evaluations R/W, Grants, and Acquisitions:
Provides consultation, and cost/benefit evaluations of Right-of-Way granting, acquisitions, and cost-share agreements.  Coordinates road damage disaster repair as required, and is the designated contact for coordinating funding, mobilization and repair.