USDA NRCS TN - Civil Engineering Technician

In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), ELYON International is recruiting for multiple (7) Engineering Technician (Civil) positions in the State of Tennessee. The ELYON Engineering Technician (Civil) will be an integral part of the NRCS Team and provide support for a variety of programs, projects, and special tasks. The Engineering Technician (Civil) shall accomplish the required services and tasks accurately and timely, which may

include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist agency staff with project documentation and implementation both in the office and in the field. The anticipated workload will require working outdoors, in the field, in the local field office, Area Office, and any other business location and environments. The candidate should be within reasonable commuting distance to the Chattanoga Field Office where the Engineering Technician will be based. This is not a position that can be accomplished remotely from outside of Tennessee.
• Inventory and evaluate potential new project sites. Take lead/complete/assisting with required engineering surveys for future designs; assisting with development of engineering drawings, specifications, etc.; Take lead/complete/assist with surveys for project construction layout; Take lead/complete/assist with construction inspection of construction projects during construction and report findings to the appointed government representative or government employee.
• Evaluate/assist with evaluating construction materials to verify that they meet or exceed specifications – this shall occur during construction activities but shall also include going to rock quarries and material suppliers to verify required material size requirements and material quality requirements.
• Develop/maintain/complete construction project job diaries as required; communicate daily, or as needed with Engineers, Geologists and others on construction projects for progress updates, project coordination, potential problems, substandard construction work, potential needs for contract design, cost, or specification modifications.
• Keep track of ongoing quantities for construction projects, and make Engineers, Geologists, EWP Program Manager and others aware of potential quantity overruns; Assist with non-inherently governmental and non-sponsor EWP payment processing and activities.
• As needed and allowed by NRCS policy, accomplish training, development, and certification for Engineering Job Approval Authority (EJAA) to support engineering I&E, design, inspection, etc.
• Possess a working knowledge of AutoCAD, Civil 3d 2016, and similar technical and agency software or the willingness and capability to be trained on such technical and agency software. Be able to develop and complete engineering drawings, modify drawings to the point of completing many standardized NRCS drawings, and modify/develop new drawings when needed.
• Review and provide comments to Engineers on NRCS developed construction drawings and specifications when needed to verify technical adequacy and accuracy of the materials and documents in question.
• Possess a working knowledge of or the willingness and capability to be trained on a variety of surveying equipment. Use and troubleshoot setup problems for various forms of surveying equipment, self levelling levels, total station equipment, data collectors, GPS total stations, etc. Following initial training on agency specific equipment, be able to independently operate such equipment.
• Independently work with agency specific data, share point sites, and computer systems which may require some initial training.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with appropriate contractors, landowners, agency personnel, material providers, regulatory personnel, local unit of government Sponsors, Engineers, and others as needed on all assigned projects.
• Possess a working knowledge of OSHA rules and regulations for construction projects, follow these rules and regulations, and inform others present what the regulations are, and when they are not being followed.
• Assists with typing, generating, assembling, reviewing, updating, completing, and distributing reports, paper or digital, for inventory, dam assessment, dam inspection, project inspection, quality reviews, progress, and other reports required by any NRCS Program, initiative, database, or policy.
• Assist with maintenance, repairs, inspections, licensing, and emissions testing of motor vehicles, as needed.
• Complete awareness training, as appropriate, for other NRCS disciplines, rules, regulations, manuals, programs, etc. Communicate observances to NRCS managers when needed to improve efficiency, program compliance, etc.

Desired Education:

• Minimum experience shall be 1-year similar job experience.
• Minimum education shall be a High School degree or equivalent.

Desired Skills/Qualification/Experience:

• Possess and maintain a valid state issued driving license.
• Functionally proficient and experienced in the use of Adobe Acrobat DC, Distiller or Professional.
• Functionally proficient and experienced in utilizing a variety of computer hardware and software applications, such as but not limited to Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Access, Windows File Explorer, and PowerPoint; Be functionally proficient in saving, editing, deleting, and managing digital files.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in operating small office machines, such as calculators, fax machines, scanners, and copy machines.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in general office procedures, such as but not limited to scheduling meetings, preparing reports, creating, and editing spreadsheets, and filing both paper and digital formats.
• Functionally proficient and experienced in the use of Microsoft Outlook for email and calendars as well as internet browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.
• Possess professional and courteous communication skills. Have the ability to function proficiently, professionally, and respectfully in an office environment.
• Skillful in working and communicating with the general public.
• Proficient in reading, writing, speaking, communicating, and understanding in English.
• Physically capable of mobility and accomplishing duties in on-site, field environments.
• Capable of working independently and be a self-starter.
• Capable of maintaining professionalism in all situations and environments.
• Capable of effectively contributing as a member of a team.
• Possess efficient telephone and email communication skills while being professional, courteous, and respectful.
• Much of this work will be conducted outside in various weather conditions, and in various environments. Much of the work will be conducted in and around water bodies. You will be expected to work in water, on construction sites with numerous pieces of heavy equipment, along state, county, and city roads where traffic will be ongoing, in agricultural areas where operational equipment, wildlife, and livestock will be commonly present, around Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) where livestock waste will be commonly present, and often being stored, and along very steep slopes.
• In addition to motor vehicles, you will be expected to travel as a passenger in ATV’s and UTVs in the various areas of work listed above. After completion of appropriate safety training and upon receipt of operator certification, you will be required to safely operate off road ATV’s and UTV’s.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short Term Disability, Workers Compensation and Life Insurance
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• 56 Hours of paid Sick Leave per calendar year
• 80 Hour of Vacation after 1 year of service