Principal Engineering Technician (NY HELPS)-Region 7

A Principal Engineering Technician (PET) will perform technical duties in support of engineers or engineering programs. Candidates may be assigned to Regional Design, Bridge/Culvert Inspection or Survey work.

Typical Duties

• Perform complex and technical activities in support of various engineering projects and program areas, such as developing or reviewing contract plans and specifications, preparing written reports and project cost estimates, planning and scheduling field work, and generating right‑of‑way maps.
• Perform routine technical tasks such as taking measurements, checking computations, collecting and compiling data, taking notes, and making calculations. These tasks may be performed at remote field locations.
• Use CADD programs and various computer applications in the performance of these duties.
• Serve as a member of the field survey crew, assisting with survey operations under the direction of the survey crew chief and Regional Land Surveyor.
• Supervise lower‑level technicians in areas such as design, surveying, right‑of‑way mapping, planning, and engineering research.
• Assist in Bridge Inspection or Culvert Inspection tasks.
• Travel throughout the Region as required. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to meet travel requirements either by holding a valid New York State driver’s license or by providing reliable transportation.

Construction

When assigned to Construction, duties may include working in the Regional Construction Office or in field assignments on construction projects, such as Engineer‑In‑Charge, Office Engineer, or Inspector. Responsibilities include monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with contract requirements and specifications, and supervising and training subordinate engineers, technicians, and seasonal Construction Inspectors.

In the Regional Materials Group, duties may involve supplier and producer plant inspection, implementation of the Regional IAST program, and support activities to ensure designs and materials meet quality requirements. This role also supervises, trains, and coordinates the work of subordinate employees to ensure that agency responsibilities are fulfilled.

Overnight stays, night work, and weekend work may be required for field assignments.

Operations

Position located in the Regional Operations Office. Responsibilities may include serving within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Engineering Geologist, Engineering Materials Analyst, Environmental Engineering Technician 2, Senior Drafting Technician, Senior Engineering Technician, or Senior Engineering Technician (Soils).
• Either four years of experience assisting in engineering or engineering technology, engineering management technology, architecture or architectural technology, environmental technology, landscape architecture/design, materials laboratory technology, drafting or surveying, AND graduation from high school or a diploma issued by a recognized educational authority; OR an associate’s degree in mathematics, physical science, geology, engineering or engineering technology, engineering management technology, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology AND two years of experience listed above; OR a bachelor’s degree in one of the same fields.
• Candidates may also be eligible for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.
• For a permanent appointment, candidates must be an employee of the Department of Transportation and have one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Engineering Technician, SG‑13.

Additional Comments

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date, employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive employment status converted to competitive status without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then enjoy the same rights and privileges as competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in an NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

The New York State Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minority group members, disabled persons and Veterans are encouraged to apply. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided for the disabled.

In compliance with Public Law 99‑603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States.