Geotechnical Engineer
- Summary
King County Road Services Division has an excellent opportunity for you to be part of local government! We are looking for a Geotechnical Engineer III. This position will work as a Project Manager and as part of a team providing geotechnical engineering, consultation, and construction inspection services in support of the Capital Improvement Program, other departments within King County, and external customers. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Road Services team and make a difference in our community!
- Job Duties
Scope of Job Duties: To be considered for this opportunity, you must at a minimum, demonstrate knowledge, skill and ability to:
- Develop scope, schedule, and cost estimate for geotechnical investigations of new and existing roads, bridge improvement, and culvert replacement projects.
- Perform geotechnical explorations and field data collection, geotechnical data analysis, estimate of geotechnical design parameters, and prepare preliminary and final geotechnical reports incorporating geotechnical design and construction recommendations.
- Supervise and conduct investigations of landslides and other slope stability and drainage issues that impact county roads or other client facilities and completing associated engineering field and technical reports.
- Develop scope, schedule and budget and complete reports for special projects such as Haul Route Studies, Pit Site Investigations, and emerging construction materials technologies.
- Perform geotechnical/drainage claim investigations.
- Perform advanced static and seismic geotechnical engineering analysis for shallow and deep foundations, bearing capacity, axial and lateral pile capacity of drilled shafts and driven piles, retaining wall design and lateral earth pressure, landslide repairs and slope stability analysis, liquefaction induced settlement and lateral spreading, settlement analysis, material filter design, and pavement rehabilitation and pavement design.
- Prepare geotechnical engineering drawings and specifications.
- Perform geotechnical special inspection and construction troubleshooting.
- Supervise and conduct preliminary geotechnical investigations to provide feasibility recommendations of various alternatives at the conceptual project phase and complete associated technical report of findings.
- Prepare Consultant and Service Contracts for emergent geotechnical and pavement analysis needs.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
We are looking for candidates who have:
- A minimum of six years professional engineering experience conducting geotechnical, pavement, landslide, and drainage investigations, developing design and construction recommendations, and completion of associated technical reports.
- A minimum of two years field investigation experience working with various types of drilling equipment (hollow stem auger, mud rotary, Odex, and sonic) and installations (inclinometers, water level indicators, vibrating wire piezometers), field identification of soil and/ or rock for design purposes , and practical understanding of equipment and installation capabilities and suitability for the site conditions.
- A minimum of five bridge or culvert projects providing foundation and abutment wall design parameters in accordance with AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
- A minimum of five projects investigating and providing design recommendations for Mechanically Stabilized wall and/or slopes in accordance with FHWA “Design and Construction of MSE Walls and Slopes” and AASHTO LRFD Design Specifications.
- A minimum of five projects investigating and providing flexible pavement design and overlay recommendations in accordance with the AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures.
- Practical laboratory experience equivalent to six months performing soil index tests (moisture content, gradation, hydrometer, proctor) including practical experience interpreting laboratory direct, triaxial shear, and consolidation test reports.
- Practical experience with applications and or installation of specialized geotechnical field instrumentation such as inclinometers, Level Logger, Blastmate, pneumatic and vibrating wire piezometer, and Pile Driver Analyzer.
- Knowledge and experience with hot mix asphalt laboratory index tests and mix design
- Practical experience designing with specialized geotechnical design software such as Shaft, All Pile, APile, L-Pile, MSEW, LiquefyPro, Darwin, Galena, and Stablpro or equivalent design software.
- Professional experience providing construction special inspection for subgrade adequacy, shallow foundation bearing, MSE wall and slope construction, driven pile and drilled shaft installation and vertical capacity.
- Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles, methodology, and practical experience to resolve geotechnical, pavement, and construction materials related problems.
- Skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and Access.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
Desirable Requirements - Professional Engineering License (PE) Civil or Licensed Engineering Geologist in Washington State or the ability and will to obtain it within one year.
- Knowledge or experience with new construction materials and testing procedures
- Experience working with engineers, contractors and suppliers.
- Knowledge of OSHA and WSHA requirements for temporary excavation safety.
- Supplemental Information
- This position is represented by Protec 17.
- This recruitment may be used to fill additional vacancies for up to 6 months.
- The typical work schedule is Monday – Friday 8 hour days. However, a possible flexible schedule can be considered after probation.
- Competitive – healthcare plans
- Free – transportation options
- Manager Support – structured employee assistance program
- Paid – vacation time (in addition to paid holidays)
- Paid – sick leave
- Deferred – compensation plan
- Ten – paid holidays and Two Additional personal holidays
- Awesome Employee Giving Program!
TEMPORARY TELECOMMUTING REQUIREMENT
The work associated with this position will be performed remotely, at least through July 5, 2021 in compliance with King County’s telecommuting mandate. It is possible that the work will be primarily performed remotely on an ongoing basis after July 5, 2021. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Employees must reside in WA state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. There will be situations where the employee is required to report to a County worksite. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required by the department in alignment with the Public Health Directive from the Seattle & King County Public Health Officer.
To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County is the local service provider for the roughly quarter million people who live in the unincorporated areas of the county; taken together, Unincorporated King County would be the second-largest city in the state. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office with a Community Service Area group, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivery of local services to all of the unincorporated areas.
The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County in an efficient and environmentally responsible manner to protect the public's investment and facilitate safe travel. The division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel. The Division is responsible for 1,500 miles of road and 182 bridges, 5.7 million feet of drainage ditches, over 44,000 traffic control signs, 78 traffic signals, and 50 traffic cameras in unincorporated King County.
ABOUT KING COUNTY
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Are you ready to APPLY?
The recruitment for this position is open to all applicants. A completed King County Application is required. We highly recommend that you also provide a cover letter and resume.
If you have any questions, please contact Jerrell Hollis, Senior HR Analyst, by e-mail at jhollis@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at (206)477-4318.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you applying to this position as an eligible Current or Previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question