Civil Engineer (Structural) - Direct Hire

Serving as the Arkansas Division Bridge Engineer, this employee manages federal highway programs for bridges, tunnels, and structures statewide. Core responsibilities include evaluating structural programs (geotech, hydraulics, inspection, and preservation), guiding staff on complex projects, and liaising with FHWA Headquarters.

The role keeps the State DOT informed on structural laws and research, conducts technical training, and develops solutions for emerging infrastructure challenges. The Civil Engineer (Structural): Represents the Division at meetings and discussions of bridge, tunnel, and other structures related policy and program matters and addresses/responds to correspondence relating to same.

Interprets and implements Federal program changes, procedural guidance, and policy, and develops processes affecting highway bridges and structures. Evaluates eligibility of structural work for Federal-aid program funding. Evaluates and promotes improvements in the State’s administration of Federal programs for bridges, tunnels, and other structures and encourages the use of enhanced planning, design, and construction, preservation, inspection and maintenance practices for structures.

Ensures all projects are in accordance with Federal law, regulations and policies. Administers FHWA structural inspection program(s) (e.g., National Bridge Inspection Program (NBIP) and National Tunnel Inspection Program (NTIP)). Provides oversight of State compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and National Tunnel Inspection Standards (NTIS) and recommends improvements.

Evaluates the severity of material deterioration and assigns ratings according to coding guidance as developed by FHWA and/or the State highway agency. Recognizes when it is necessary to close a bridge or tunnel (or recommend closure) because of imminent danger. Provides guidance to the State for bridge and tunnel inventory needs and interpretation of acceptable inspection and coding methods for the NBIS and NTIS.

Develops follow-up strategies and works with the State to overcome areas of non-compliance. Maintains and conducts a Risk Based Stewardship and Oversight Program for bridges, tunnels, and structures under design and construction and ensures that there is full coordination with responsible Division staff and State representatives.

Reviews structural plans for suitability of structural adequacy, economy, safety, aesthetics, hydraulics, foundation, and overall concept. Interprets and applies relevant structural codes for testing, design, construction and maintenance of structures, including retrofit. Promotes the use of the most current technologies, standards, and practices in the development of projects.

Evaluates proposals, makes recommendations, and approves concepts for development of detailed contract plans. Resolves conflicts and controversies resulting from comments and recommendations and inputs of other offices and agencies. Promotes consideration of national innovative initiatives as well as alternative materials and the incorporation of economical and simplified fabrication of structural components.

Assists customers in addressing issues and implementing processes such as the promotion of accelerated construction techniques. Accompanies Division staff in their construction inspection activities when deemed appropriate, and particularly when there are technical difficulties. Performs construction reviews/inspections and evaluates and renders a decision relative to the State’s proposed remedial actions, making recommendations associated therewith.

The ideal candidate for this position is a seasoned mid-career structural engineering professional with project management experience in bridge design, bridge construction inspection, bridge program management, and geotechnical. To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the specialized experience requirements.

To qualify for the GS-13 , you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience developing and/or evaluating the quality of plans, specifications, and estimates for bridges related to transportation projects; AND Experience inspecting bridges under construction; AND Experience inspecting in-service bridge conditions and compliance of bridge condition inspections with National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Structural Engineering: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods related to the design and analysis of complex structures using a variety of materials.

Structures may include aerospace systems or structures, and other determinate or indeterminate systems. Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise. Risk Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools used for risk assessment and mitigation, including assessment of failures and their consequences.

Stakeholder Management: Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques used to identify, engage, influence, and monitor relationships with individuals and groups connected to a work effort; including those actively involved, those who exert influence over the process and its results, and those who have a vested interest in the outcome (positive or negative).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri. Corps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/ All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.