Engineering Aide (Part-time/Extra Help)

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision, to perform technical office and field engineering and survey work of average difficulty in engineering design and construction work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first working level in the Engineering/Surveying Aide/Technician series. Incumbents are assigned routine to average complexity projects and exercise limited judgement and initiative in completing assignments. This classification is distinguished from Engineering/Surveying Technician in that the latter classification is the journey level and performs more difficult and complex work with a higher degree of independence.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare drawings from field notes; reduce field notes; plot and check center lines and cross sections; make routine engineering and survey computations; tabulate field data; maintain records and prepare reports;
• May assist in the issuance of permits; give information in person and by telephone regarding permit applications and ordinance requirements;
• Use AutoCAD software on a daily basis;
• Use Windows operating system and Microsoft Office; and
• Perform related duties as assigned.

When assigned to Engineering:

• Inspect road, bridge, and other construction work in the field under supervision; check grading for proper slopes; check concrete and aggregate for compliance with specifications; participate in maintaining records of labor and equipment used on construction projects; prepare and submit reports of project progress for review;
• Take soil, aggregate, and concrete test samples for laboratory analysis; conduct routine soil and materials tests; check for compliance with specifications; and
• Set traffic counters and conduct manual traffic counts; compile traffic data; repair and maintain equipment used in traffic engineering division; assist in drafting and drawing maps; prepare charts, graphs, and diagrams related to engineering studies.

When assigned to Surveying:

• Perform rod and chain functions on survey crews; cut and clear brush and use manual and electronic equipment to locate survey monuments; drive stakes and pins; keep and check survey party field notes; may use theodolite, electronic distance measuring equipment, Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) and level;
• May participate on a survey party; and
• Assist in checking of private land surveys; may draw topographic and other maps; check and revise existing maps showing boundaries and districts; search titles and documents and assist in the preparation of legal deeds and property descriptions.

KNOWLEDGE:

• The principles, practices techniques and instruments used in engineering drafting;
• Techniques and practices of field surveying;
• Elementary principals of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; and
• Windows operating system, word processing, and AutoCAD.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Apply basic engineering and survey knowledge in varied work assignments;
• Read and interpret specifications, maps and technical drawings;
• Perform precise survey work and skilled drafting work;
• Make field and office engineering computations using engineering instruments and aids;
• Maintain records and prepare reports;
• Follow oral and written directions;
• Work cooperatively with others;
• Perform related duties as assigned; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.

In addition, when assigned to Engineering:

• Learn to use specialized measuring and testing equipment for the materials testing laboratory or in assisting in the traffic division; and
• Prepare charts, graphs and diagrams related to engineering studies

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

• Forty-five semester/67 quarter units from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 20 semester/30 quarter units in geomatics, engineering, mathematics, physics, or other engineering related coursework; OR
• Eighteen months of full-time technical field or office engineering or survey experience.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.