Research Engineer

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Roadway and Multidisciplinary Integration (R&MI) Branch Chief (Senior Transportation Engineer), the Transportation Engineer (Civil) serves as a Research Engineer within the R&MI Branch to advance key research initiatives by identifying needs, proposing innovative solutions, and aligning projects with departmental goals. The incumbent develops and manages research projects which address critical challenges and explore new approaches to improve the design, construction, and maintenance of California’s transportation system. These projects span multiple disciplines, including pavements, structures, geotechnical engineering, construction, and maintenance.

The incumbent assists senior staff by preparing research proposals, articulating project needs and objectives, developing and coordinating contract research, managing executed agreements, and overseeing Transportation Pool-Fund studies. The incumbent disseminates research results and supports implementation efforts. The incumbent collaborates with Caltrans Districts, Divisions, and Programs, other Departments of Transportation, academia, and private industry to ensure high-quality outcomes. Furthermore, the incumbent evaluates proposals submitted to the Department or through national research organizations, such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP).

Candidates are required to review the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) for this classification. If you meet MQs under Pattern II and require the TE Civil in-person written hurdle exam, DO NOT TAKE the TE Civil online exam prior to passing the written hurdle. Candidates who take the TE Civil online exam prior to passing the written hurdle may negatively impact their hiring eligibility. Please contact the exam unit at askexams@dot.ca.gov for additional information prior to taking the online examination.

For clarification on the education requirement of the minimum qualifications, please reach out to the Human Resources Contact prior to taking the online Training and Experience Evaluation. For a list of ABET accredited schools, please refer to this link: Find Programs | ABET .

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Transportation Engineer (Civil) Exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job.


https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

Apply today to join our team! We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool! The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

PARF# 65-5-046/ JC-454212

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

Positions located in 1727 30th Street, Sacramento, CA 95816.


This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The Caltrans Transportation Engineer (Civil) Rotation Program is a mandatory 24 month to 33 months rotation assignment for all permanent, full-time Transportation Engineer (Civil) employees that have completed their probationary period hired by Caltrans Districts after June 22, 2018, or an earlier date as determined by the Districts. The purpose of Rotation Program is to provide opportunities for employees and Caltrans to benefit by participating in a standardized process that systematically engages newly hired engineers. Participants will develop well-rounded project delivery knowledge, skills, and abilities by rotating through diverse project delivery functional units. The Rotation Program includes mandatory core assignments in Design and Construction units, as well as a mandatory elective assignment. Each rotation assignment is typically between 6 to 12 months and will be based on workload needs and the employee’s goals. Assignments may involve long term travel and can be located throughout the state.

In addition to the Caltrans Transportation Engineer (Civil) Rotation Program, an incumbent may be required to go on loan to another project delivery function when there are temporary or peak staffing needs in those areas.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER (CIVIL)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-454212

Position #(s):

913-155-3135-XXX

Working Title:

Research Engineer

Classification:

TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER (CIVIL)
$6,299.00 - $7,510.00 A

$7,212.00 - $9,025.00 B

$8,637.00 - $10,807.00 C

$9,429.00 - $11,798.00 D

# of Positions:

Multiple

Work Location:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Provide a safe and reliable transportation network that serves all people and respects the environment

Caltrans Vision: A brighter future for all through a world-class transportation network

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success. Caltrans is about celebrating diversity, valuing one another, and recognizing that Caltrans is strong not in spite of the diverse attributes of our workforce, but because of our diversity.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Frequently Asked Questions for an Applicant: http://dot.ca.gov/jobs/docs/faq-ct-applicants-081617.pdf

Director’s EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

• Appointment to Range D requires a valid Professional Engineering License (Civil) issued by the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
  
• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.
  
• Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.
  

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a discussion of how an applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the criteria in the duty statement and qualify the applicant for the position. Please include a 1-2 pages, 12-point font, SOQ that describes your experience as it relates to this position/duty statement. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. Failure to include and complete the SOQ may result in disqualification for interview.

1. Describe your relevant work experience and educational background that will contribute to applied research in pavements, structures, geotechnical engineering, construction and/or maintenance.

2. Provide an example of when you recognized an opportunity for improvement or innovation at work. What creative solutions did you implement, what risks did you take, and what were the outcomes?

3. Describe your experience analyzing complex problems at work. Provide an example of how you used a logical approach to identify underlying issues, prioritize them, and develop effective solutions.

4. Describe your experience managing multiple tasks simultaneously. How did you prioritize, stay organized, and coordinate resources to meet strict deadlines?

5. Provide examples from your current or past roles that demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally, to keep others informed. Include the communication platforms and software you used.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Here is a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 11/17/2024
Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Transportation

N/A

Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact

Certification Services MS-90

P O Box 168036

Sacramento , CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Transportation

Drop-Off Address

Caltrans DHR Contact

Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS

1727 30th Street, MS 90

Sacramento , CA 95816

Closed on weekends and State holidays.

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Advanced education in Civil Engineering, along with additional academic coursework or equivalent training and experience in pavements, structures, geotechnical engineering, construction, and/or maintenance.

• Strong ability to gather, compile, analyze, and interpret research data.

• Capable of preparing concise technical reports and expressing ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Knowledge of research methods and equipment, along with experience in conducting, administering, and managing research projects.

• Familiar with Federal and State regulations, as well as the Department’s mission, goals, programs, and policies related to the performance and feasibility of research.

• Skilled ability to maintain cooperative relationships with project stakeholders, including academia and district personnel.

• Basic computer skills and be able to learn and use data-analysis software effectively.

Benefits

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
Katie Dutcher
(279) 234-2432
Katie.Dutcher@dot.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Michaela Bayless
(916) 907-2136
Michaela.Bayless@dot.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Important Application Instructions

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-454212), PARF# 65-5-046 and title of the position (Transportation Engineer (Civil)) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Closing Date/Time: 11/17/2024

• 

• CALTRANS Planning and Modal Division

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