Class Code:  08123

 

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES -

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

 

Highway Technician Senior

 

DEFINITION

Performs complex material testing, sampling and inspection work, performs district bridge maintenance and repair work; or exercises lead-work responsibility over specialized highway maintenance, materials, inspection and survey services; during construction season, participates/leads a team of employees that performs routine technical (e.g., inspecting/testing construction materials) and survey, field/lab tests and inspection duties; performs related work as required.

 

The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

 

WORK EXAMPLES

May assist the supervisor by instructing employees, answering questions and distributing, balancing and checking work; may make suggestions on appointments, promotions performance and reassignments.

Performs duties related to snow and ice removal, which include: operating the Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS), the Data Transmission Network (DTN), and related computer and software applications to record and receive data and make decisions regarding times, temperatures, weather conditions, and material usage for operating snow and ice removal equipment.

Performs survey work which includes recovering survey markers, converting ancient terms of measurement to modern terms, determining and excavating land/lot corners.

Performs and restores control points, stake proposed permanent easement points, compile and record information for use in final surveys, and prepare acquisition plats and legal descriptions.

Operates Global Position System (GPS) and Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) equipment to take and check measurements resulting in a positional accuracy as prescribed in the Code of Iowa.

Performs technical engineering support and construction trades related work including responsibility for inspection of small to moderately complex construction projects or construction survey projects.

Performs a variety of sampling, testing and/or inspection procedures on various materials to insure production quality and compliance with contract requirements.

Reviews traffic control set-ups for safety and compliance.

Operates various highway maintenance equipment such as, but not limited to, tractors, dozers, loaders, trucks, graders and snowplows for performing highway maintenance duties; oversees material usage crew operations and properly maintains appropriate records.

Documents construction progress and activities in computerized record keeping programs by maintaining detailed project records and preparing periodic reports on project progress and expenditures including item progress, materials used, and test results.

Inspects small to moderately complex construction projects ensuring the work is completed according to specification, which includes sampling and testing materials to be used, ensuring proper certification of materials, coordinating and reviewing the activities of inspectors, maintaining records, preparing authorization for vouchers and project progress reports, and informing supervisor of problems.

Visually inspects the various fabrication processes of metal or concrete structures by observing manufacturing and testing on a daily basis; inspects the production/fabrication processes for other products on a periodic basis.

Visually inspects, measures and sketches various bridge elements and performs district bridge maintenance and repair.

Samples, inspects and monitors the quality control processes and materials of the manufacturer/producer/fabricator to assure conformance with accepted practices and specifications.  Observes testing and documentation of quality control personnel.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers such as contractors, suppliers, property owners, motorists, and law enforcement to provide information and address issues.

Assists in training personnel in various operations.

Assists supervisor with evaluating roadway condition and determining work needs.

Assists with surveying of highway construction projects.

Responds as appropriate to roadway emergency situations.

 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of specialized highway and bridge maintenance, construction and materials equipment, its operation and use.

Knowledge of highway maintenance, construction and materials procedures, techniques, terminology and specifications.

Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to the work.

Knowledge of applicable department policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to highway and equipment maintenance, record keeping, budgeting, and reporting requirements.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the construction and building trades fields, including knowledge of plans, standards, specifications, and special provisions of the employing agency.

Knowledge of basic mathematic principles including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Skill in operating computers and related software applications to record and receive data and make decisions regarding highway field work.

Skill in operating hand tools, power tools, and light and heavy highway construction, maintenance and materials testing equipment.

Ability to operate a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Electronic Distance Meter (EDM) equipment.

Ability to communicate and comprehend directions and instructions.

Ability to lift and load items weighing up to 65 pounds.

Ability to work out of doors in all types of weather conditions, day or night, in normal and emergency situations to ensure the proper completion of assigned activities.

Ability to learn how to properly weld structural steel.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner.  Committed to quality service.

Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Refrains from dishonest behavior. 

Works and communicates with all clients and customers providing polite, quality professional service.

Displays a high level of initiative, effort, attention to detail and commitment by completing assignments efficiently with minimal supervision. 

Follows policy, cooperates with supervisors and aligns behavior with the goals of the organization.

Fosters and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, group identity and team spirit throughout the organization. 

Exchanges information with individuals or groups effectively by listening and responding appropriately.

 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from high school, or G.E.D. and four years of full-time highway maintenance and equipment operation work, construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials inspection and testing;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting 30 semester hours of accredited post high school education in construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials inspection and testing, for each year of the required experience;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the State Executive Branch that includes 18 months of full-time work as a Highway Technician or as a Construction Technician.

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid commercial driver’s license Instruction Permit upon hire.

In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 391 & 40), this job requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer’s random drug and alcohol testing program.

Employees must be available to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.

Employees must be available to work up to 16 consecutive hours.

All positions must possess and maintain required certifications for sampling and testing materials and operating specialized equipment as required by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Technical Training and Certification Program for Highway Materials and Construction.

Designated positions are required to be able to report to their assigned facility, under normal driving conditions, within a 30-minute time period to respond to emergency situations.

Designated positions will require the knowledge of the fundamentals of welding, metallurgy, and materials inspection as it relates to the fabrication of metals.

Designated positions will require skill in the use of the Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS) and the Data Transmission Network (DTN).

Designated positions will require the ability to appropriately use anti-icing or deicing materials.

Designated positions must attend a comprehensive bridge inspection course required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards within a period of time designated by the appointing authority at the time of appointment.

 

NOTES

Within 14 calendar days following appointment, a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License must be obtained with air brake and tanker endorsements in order to continue employment.  Other endorsements may also be required.

Prior to starting employment all persons are required to have a post offer, pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.

Within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority, certain designated positions may be required to be certified by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator.

 

Effective Date:  06/10 DDF