Engineering Assistant I or II: Pharr District (Various Sections)

Position Information

Would you like the opportunity to put your Engineering design and construction skills on the map of Texas? Do you want to be part of designing some of the best roadways in the United States? Does designing and constructing safer roadways for your community appeal to you? Are you looking to grow and/or obtain additional skills in designing, managing, and constructing roadways?

TXDOT Pharr District is looking for an Engineering Assistant I or II to work in one of our Sections located in Pharr, TX. The ideal candidate has strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are essential qualities for this position. We have a diverse workforce of over 13,000 employees statewide. We provide opportunities for training, career growth, and offer great benefits. If you want to build an exciting career, let's talk!

Sections:

Central Design (Pharr, Tx)

Design Support (Pharr, Tx)

District Lab (Pharr, Tx)

District Traffic Operations (Pharr, Tx)

District Maintenance (Pharr, Tx)

Pharr Area Office (Pharr, Tx)

Salary Range/Grade:

Engineering Assistant I (B20): $5,200.00 - $6,779.25/monthly [$62,400.00 - $81,351.00/annually]

Engineering Assistant II (B21): $5,500.00 - $7,253.83/monthly [$66,000.00 - $87,046.00/annually]

* The Texas Department of Transportation reserves the sole right in determining the level based on the applicant's work experience, education skill level, and all other appropriate factors, and base on business need.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Engineering Assistant I or II:

Performs engineering work. Work involves job rotation, training and continuing education in design, construction, construction inspection, maintenance, surveying, environmental and/or transportation operations-related activities with the intent to actively pursue engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams. Design activity is supervised by a licensed professional engineer who has authority for final approval of all projects. Work requires contact with local governmental representatives, engineering contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

The essential duties for the Engineering Assistant I include:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education.
• Performs construction inspection and material sampling/testing.
• Performs design computations and plan preparations to include preparing plan sheets for construction projects.
• Performs engineering calculations for plan quantities as part of PS&E preparation activities.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Uses automated roadway/structural/hydraulic design programs and computer-assisted design/engineering systems.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for Engineering Assistant II include:

• Actively prepares for professional engineering licensing/registration through appropriate training and exams and completion/maintenance of required documentation.
• Applies engineering principles, methods and techniques to a wide variety of transportation-related activities.
• Assists with contract administration for construction and maintenance projects to ensure contractor compliance.
• Participates in Career Development for the Engineering Assistants program which includes job rotation, training and continuing education.
• Performs engineering-related calculations and drafting/design work.
• Performs engineering-related planning, design, data collection, evaluation and analysis activities.
• Performs research and problem solving of engineering-related problems.
• Prepares and checks plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) and designs.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Engineering Assistant I or II: Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related science bachelor's or higher degree accepted by TX PELS.

Acceptable Substitutions :

• Master's degree in engineering or a Master of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.
• Doctoral degree in engineering or a doctor of engineering degree from an institution that offers a bachelor of science degree, in the same discipline, which has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) may substitute for a Bachelor's degree.

Work Experience:

Engineering Assistant I: None

Engineering Assistant II: 1 YEAR in ENGINEERING related experience (Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated parttime equivalent)

Licenses and Certifications:

Engineering Assistant I or II: Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Additional Certifications for Engineering Assistant II: Must have a Texas Engineer in Training Certificate

Competencies:

The Competencies for the Engineering Assistant I or II include:

• Transportation engineering terminology and fundamentals
• Transportation design engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
• Computer-aided drafting and design systems
• Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations
• Exercises logic and reasoning to define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; makes decisions that support business objectives and goals

Additional Competencies for Engineering Assistant II include:

• Highway construction and maintenance
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry and geometry
• Maintaining a safe and effective working relationship with others

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

Engineering Assistant I or II:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• All employees classified as Engineering Assistants are required to participate in the EA program. Participation in the Engineering Assistant Career Development Program (EACDP) requires that employees sign a Program Agreement, which outlines employee responsibilities and service time commitment. Failure to comply with all terms of the Program Agreement will result in reclassification.