ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IV

Requisition No: 850207 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: ENGINEERING SPECIALIST IV

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55011987 

Salary:  $59,029.43 - $76,391.03 

Posting Closing Date: 06/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

820 / State Materials Office

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CAREER SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON: Dino Jameson

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 352-955-2933

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: dino.jameson@dot.state.fl.us

ANTICIPATED HIRING SALARY: $2,671.02/biweekly / $69,446.39/annual

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

Field Operations Manager / Engineering And Operations / Bureau Of Materials And Research / State Materials Office / Geotechnical Materials.

This position is part of the Geotechnical section performing and managing required testing related to Field operations group as well as research projects. The selected candidate will perform, manage, and coordinate field investigations and geotechnical field-testing activities. The selected candidate will support the group and researchers with data analysis, testing standards, manuals, and specification development processes.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

Bureau Of Materials And Research / State Materials Office, 5007 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Plans and manages field operations performed by the Soils Field Operations Unit. Operations include conventional soil borings using a heavy-duty standard penetration testing (SPT) drill rig, surveying subsurface conditions using a heavy-duty electronic cone penetrometer testing (CPT) rig, and other specialized geotechnical field testing as needed. Plans and perform specialized in-situ testing with the CPT rig including, but not limited to, flat dilatometer testing and vane shear testing. Utilizes geotechnical and monitoring equipment in these operations as needed. Obtains samples for laboratory testing. Coordinates field operations activities and schedules with customers.

Develops and executes work plans to support in-house and contracted research in the test pit and field including evaluation of new products, construction techniques, and testing methods. Performs duties related to test pit research including placement, compaction, and testing of materials. Conducts and monitors dynamic plate load testing with electro-hydraulic loading apparatus. Performs testing related to ongoing research including plate bearing tests, nuclear density testing, and moisture content determination. Collects field samples as needed for laboratory testing. Compiles, analyzes, and evaluates test data. Prepares reports documenting research activities, findings, and conclusions. Participates in the implementation of research findings.

Performs field and/or test pit soils and earthwork testing in accordance with the applicable test methods including Florida Sampling and Testing Methods, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and American Society for Testing and Materials. Reports results in the appropriate database. Ensures all testing equipment is calibrated and maintained. Performs field testing for earthwork and foundation investigations. Monitors test parameters during testing to assess validity of the data. Analyzes test results to determine if retesting or resampling is required.

Reviews test results and corrects any errors. Interprets and analyzes data for contract and procedural compliance. Notifies stakeholders of findings, failures, and/or negative trends. Prepares written reports documenting findings.

Provides technical support to customers as requested. Provides support in time to meet the customers’ needs. Participates in Geotechnical Technical Advisory Group activities to revise policies, procedures, and forms. Advises and lends technical support to the districts and other state agencies in areas related to geotechnical operations, investigations, processes, and instrumentation.

Review Quality Control plans, construction plans, specifications, procedures, manuals, and other documents necessary to execute the Department’s mission. Provide clear comments as requested in time to be useful to the customer. Offer solutions when objecting to the approach that is proposed. Identify problem areas in specifications, procedures, and test methods. Make written recommendations as to the proper resolution of these problems.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Concepts, terminology, principles and analytical techniques of geotechnical construction operations.
• Geotechnical related field-testing procedures, instrumentation and data acquisition systems.

Skills in:

• Operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheets, database applications, and engineering software for analyzing test data.

Ability to:

• Operate heavy duty machinery such as drilling rigs, cone penetrometer testing rigs, and long trailers.
• Analyze and interpret engineering data.
• Solve problems relating to engineering.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and perform field activities related to geotechnical investigations and testing.
• Communicate engineering information effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work and be effective in a team environment.
• Lift 50 pounds.

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements:

• Must have or obtain “Safety and Control of Equipment with Radioactive Materials” certification within one year of appointment date.
• Must have or obtain a commercial driver’s license (Class B) with appropriate endorsements within one year of appointment date.

Other Job-Related Requirements:

• Travel is required.
• This position will be required to respond before, during, and following emergency situations.
• The incumbent of this position is required to handle hazardous materials possessing the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, and toxicity as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations 40, Part 261. The incumbent must be trained in the handling of the aforementioned hazardous materials prior to commencing work or he/she must work only under the direct control of a supervisor who is trained in the handling of such materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience using engineering tools, equipment, and/or instruments; prior experience operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and/or database applications; and prior experience with evaluating construction materials.

This position requires a valid Class B driver license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Department’s Driver’s Record Requirements Policy. An unacceptable driving record is defined as any of the following:

1. three (3) or more moving violations in the past three (3) years that accumulate three (3) or more points per violation;
2. any two (2) convictions of reckless driving in the past three (3) years;
3. a suspension or revocation of the driver license for moving violations in the past three (3) years; and
4. a suspension or revocation for refusal to take a sobriety test, or any suspension or revocation for a DUI conviction, in the past four (4) years.

Your driving record will be reviewed and the status of your driver license confirmed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.  If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.