Staff 1, Associate Engineer

Posting number: 2026-03762

Department: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Job classification: STAFF 1, ASSOCIATE ENGINEER

Posting type: Open Competitive

Categories: Engineering, Transportation

Summary

The Nevada Department of Transportation is recruiting for a Staff 1, Associate Engineer as an underfill for a Staff 2, Associate Engineer located within the Traffic Operations Division, in Carson City, NV. The incumbent will develop: signals, lighting and ITS plans, specification and estimates; coordinate signal, lighting, and ITS projects with other divisions and outside agencies; follow departmental procedures for compliance with federal and state regulations and resolution of design conflicts; review plans, specification and estimates for compliance with departmental standards; assist, review, modify and maintain signal, lighting, and ITS standards plans and specifications; and support the Traffic Operations Division with other duties, special projects, and new programs as required. NOTE: THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO UNDERFILL A STAFF 2 AE. INCUMBENT MAY PROGRESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL AFTER MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE, AND WITH APPROVAL OF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. EMPLOYEES IN THIS CLASS WHO ARE NOT REGISTRED PROFESIONAL ENGINEERS MAY NOT REPRESENT THEMSELVES AS SUCH TO OTHER PERSONS OR ENTITIES.

Associate Engineers perform a broad range of engineering work not requiring licensure by the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Associate Engineers are distinguished from Engineering Technicians by greater latitude in the interpretation and application of established engineering criteria, and their technical expertise in the particular program area and/or knowledge acquired in a baccalaureate course of study in engineering or a related discipline. In addition, Associate Engineer duties are typically distinguished from advanced Engineering Technician duties by a greater responsibility for reviewing, interpreting and using judgment to make recommendations and determinations based on data received, organized, compiled and summarized by lower level technical staff including Engineering Technicians

Examples of duties

Certification by the Nevada State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as an Engineer Intern; OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or a closely related engineering field; OR two years of journey level technical experience equivalent to an Engineering Technician III in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Qualifications

Participate in the planning, design, analysis and inspection of construction and maintenance of transportation and highway systems, bridges, and other structures.

Design and analyze traffic systems including traffic signal systems, highway lighting systems, traffic striping detail and overhead traffic sign support structures.

Design and evaluate pavement structural sections for new and existing roadways; develop new structural section or develop appropriate rehabilitation strategy.

Perform technical and statutory review of water right applications; assist in hearings, preparing draft State Engineer Rulings and assist in administering water rights including water allocation, inventories, and distribution.

Provide water quality clearance for highway projects including technical reports for inclusion in required environmental impact statements and ensure compliance with federal and State water quality regulations; perform assessments and determine compliance with federal and State requirements regarding air quality, noise control and hazardous waste and prepare required reports.

Review applications, oversee inspections, and recommend appropriate enforcement action for facilities subject to federal and State regulations governing wastewater treatment, air pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management, and site remediation; review designs and implementation of pollution control systems and environmental remediation projects.

Identify new, replaced and/or rehabilitated bridges and map the location for future scheduling; obtain and review bridge plans and specifications; participate in on-site inspections of in-service bridges to gather field data and prepare final inspection report.

Conduct on-site highway construction inspections to ensure adherence to specifications and recommend corrective action when needed; prepare final reports including the Construction Engineering Manpower Management System (CEMMS) for construction contracts awarded by the department.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Incumbents either:

1) work under the direct supervision of a Registered Professional Engineer and gain knowledge and experience required for licensure as a professional engineer;
or
2) work under general supervision and perform engineering work not requiring licensure. Staff I positions are distinguished from higher level Engineering Technicians by their participation in project design and management; responsibility for testing and inspections and the interpretation of results; determining the impact on project activities; and making design recommendations to professional engineers.

Supplemental information

Working knowledge of: practical application of algebra, geometry and trigonometry to specific problems and situations.

Skills in: engineering principles and practices; graph and table formatting.

Ability to: make computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles; read and understand technical reports, maps, specifications, plans and related documents; write technical reports and compose correspondence for transmittal to other governmental agencies; convert mathematical data, quantities and measurements and calculate area, volume, length and proportion; plan, organize and schedule work to accomplish established objectives; work within a Cartesian coordinate system; work as part of a team; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with contractors, co-workers, and representatives from other agencies; work independently and follow through on assignments; interact diplomatically with the public in potentially hostile situations.

Recruiter Contact Information: Stephanie Swanson - stephanie.swanson@dot.nv.gov