ENGINEERING ASSISTANT
COMPETENCY PROFILE
Description of Work:
Positions in this class perform routine or standardized work supporting higher level technicians and engineers by collecting, reviewing, analyzing, verifying,
editing, computing, coding, updating, entering and processing field data. The work of this class is a combination of clerical and limited technical support.
Employees support higher level technicians and engineers by performing manual or computer generated preliminary and intermediate mathematical computations
using standardized formulas on data received from field and various other sources; or collect vehicle speed and classification data, indicating the level of
highway use by type of vehicle.
Contributing Journey Advanced
This is entry level work supporting higher level This is routine or standardized work supporting This is para-technical work supporting higher level
technicians and engineers by collecting, reviewing, higher level technicians and engineers by collecting, technicians and engineers by collecting, reviewing,
analyzing, verifying, editing, computing, coding, reviewing, analyzing, verifying, editing, computing, analyzing, verifying, editing, computing, coding,
updating, entering and processing field data. The coding, updating, entering and processing field data. updating, entering, and processing field and other
work of this class is a combination of clerical and The work of this class is a combination of clerical data; or performing a full range of more
limited technical support. Employees support and limited technical support. Employees support standardized sampling, testing and inspection
higher level technicians and engineers by higher level technicians and engineers by performing duties in a materials and tests laboratory; or
performing manual or computer generated manual or computer generated preliminary and performing beginning level survey work as part of
preliminary and intermediate mathematical intermediate mathematical computations using a location and surveys field crew. The work of this
computations using standardized formulas on data standardized formulas on data received from field class is a combination of technical and limited
received from field and various other sources; or and various other sources; or collect vehicle speed clerical support. Employees may support higher
collect vehicle speed and classification data, and classification data, indicating the level of level technicians and engineers by performing
indicating the level of highway use by type of highway use by type of vehicle. Work may include manual or computer, generated preliminary and
vehicle. driving vehicles for the profilometer or falling intermediate mathematical computations using
weight deflectometer and operating equipment for standardized formulas on data received from field
short periods of time to relieve the primary operator and various other sources. Employees may
in collecting pavement condition data; obtaining, compile and enter data into the Bid Analysis
compiling, processing, coding and entering data Management System and maintain prequalification
relating to culverts, popes and bridge superstructure, and subcontractor records; recommend division
substructure, posted weight capacity and construction personnel complements using
maintenance needs; translating data from bridge computer programs, project letting lists, project
inspection reports into the master bridge computer descriptions and type and estimated project cost
file; and interpreting and transferring inspectors’ data; serve as a resource for division personnel
rating of structures to computer input sheets. Work regarding the usage of various computer programs
may also include analyzing and processing accident and the processing of monthly estimates; check
notices, and prompt action notices; calculating bridge and verify data entered on requests for subcontract;
deck geometry and under clearance appraisals and edit, correct and enter asphalt report data; and
computing water depth and height crown to bed review low bid Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
using streamed soundings. Employees may also submittals. Duties may also include performing
ENGINEERING ASSISTANT
COMPETENCY PROFILE
create hard copy computer files for new inventory beginning level survey work as part of a location
structures; read and interpret plans describing and surveys crew. Employees occupying materials
superstructure and substructure, span lengths, beams, testing positions are generally restricted to one
girders and other details of new structures; analyze specific area such as stone, extractions, physical
new bride inspection reports, discerning changes and testing or bituminous labs, but may circulate
discrepancies between new inspection reports and between the central labs. Location and Surveys
existing data; calculate the amount of structural steel positions perform standardized surveying tasks
in bridges using weight of beams, number of lines of relative to field operations, litigation surveys,
beams and span lengths; and intersected by photogrammetric operations, hydraulic surveys
structures. Work may include other duties and and office operations. Work may include other
responsibilities as assigned. duties and responsibilities as assigned.
(List applicable competencies and definitions from the competency dictionary.)
Competency Definition
Knowledge Possession of a designated level of technical skill or knowledge in a specific technical area(s) and the
ability to keep up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise. May be acquired through
academic, apprenticeship or on-the-job training or a combination of these.
Possession of knowledge of program procedures, methods and practices and their application to specific
situations, usually acquired on the job or in lower-level positions in the same or similar career path.
Communication Communicates technical information regarding programs and/or regulations to individuals and groups both
within and outside work unit in a manner suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Clearly
and concisely conveys information orally or in writing to individuals or groups. Listens and responds
appropriately to others.
ENGINEERING ASSISTANT
COMPETENCY PROFILE
Describe contributing, journey, and advanced levels for each competency listed above.
knowledge Possession of a designated level of technical skill or knowledge in a specific technical area(s) and the
ability to keep up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise. May be acquired through
academic, apprenticeship or on-the-job training or a combination of these.
Possession of knowledge of program procedures, methods and practices and their application to specific
situations, usually acquired on the job or in lower-level positions in the same or similar career path.
Contributing Journey Advanced
1 . Understands the basic concepts, practices, and 1 Possesses a thorough understanding of 1. Possesses a significant expertise and
theories used in the technical specialty area concepts, practices, and theories used in the understanding of concepts, practices, and
with limited supervision. Professional level technical specialty area. May have the general theories used in the technical specialty area.
knowledge of applicable standards, guideline, knowledge to oversee compliance regarding Displays an exceptional understanding of
methods, and the tools involved in the multiple specialties, working independently with technical/professional information and
performance of surveying, testing, or technical minimal day-to-day supervision. demonstrates the ability to use it in practice.
specialty area.
2. Perform a limited variety of standardized 2. Has solid level understanding of the 2. Thorough/demonstrated knowledge of internal
assignments in the collection and processing of organizational and business objectives of his/her organizational structure, business
data. Surveying tasks are normally of a section/specialty. needs/objectives, budget, planning, legal/PR
recurring nature and based on the type of considerations, and/or other related factors
survey being performed. Increased detail is required for the continued growth and viability
required in the operation of instruments, of the organization.
assisting in the preparation of field notes and
performing mathematical computations using
geometric and trigonometric functions.
3. Collect vehicle speed and classification data by 3. Perform a variety of standardized assignments in 3. Perform a wide variety of standardized
setting up electronic devices which requires the collection and processing of data. Surveying assignments in the collection and processing of
installing pneumatic tubes or inductive loops on tasks are normally of a recurring nature and data or sampling, testing and inspection of
the pavement, selecting and loading the correct based on the type of survey being performed. highway materials or surveying.
program in the collector, calibrating the Increased detail is required in the operation of
equipment, observing during the collection instruments, assisting in the preparation of field
operation, downloading the data to a storage notes and performing mathematical
device, downloading to flopping disk and hard computations using geometric and trigonometric
copy and performing basic repair and functions.
maintenance to the collection equipment.
ENGINEERING ASSISTANT
COMPETENCY PROFILE
Communication Communicates technical information regarding programs and/or regulations to individuals and groups both
within and outside work unit in a manner suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Clearly
and concisely conveys information orally or in writing to individuals or groups. Listens and responds
appropriately to others.
Contributing Journey Advanced
1. Effectively uses verbal and nonverbal skills to 1. Effectively uses verbal and nonverbal skills to 1. Effectively uses verbal and nonverbal skills to
express routine or simple technical and/or program express non-routine or moderately complex technical express complex technical and/or program
concepts and related facts in a clear, concise, and/or program concepts and related facts in a clear, concepts and related facts in a clear, concise,
organized and persuasive manner. concise, organized and persuasive manner. organized and persuasive manner.
2. Uses appropriate language that is easy for others 2. Modifies delivery, language or material to account 2. Modifies delivery, language or material to
to understand. for the characteristics and needs of the audience. account for the characteristics and needs of the
audience.
3. Communicates with other staff to ensure that 3. May lead co-workers in completing projects or 3. Organizes co-workers, outside employees,
tasks are completed correctly and in a timely surveys. Reports survey findings or project status to and/or contracted employees to correct
manner. higher-level management. concerns/issues.
Minimum Training & Experience Guidelines
Graduation from high school with course work in mathematics and one year of experience relating to the functional area of assignment; or an equivalent
combination of training and directly related experience.