Department of Transportation
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. Survey Link
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
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.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Desirable Qualifications
- 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.
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
Hiring Unit Contact: Michaela Bayless
