Position Information

NY HELPYes

AgencyTransportation, Department of

TitlePrincipal Engineering Technician (NY HELPS)-Region 3

Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers

Salary Grade16

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $59994 to $76359 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 5%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8 AM

To 4 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Onondaga

Street Address 333 East Washington Street

City Syracuse

StateNY

Zip Code13202

Job Specifics

Duties Description Principal Engineering Technicians (PET) are found throughout DOT and can be assigned to work in various units in the regional office or in field assignments. All PET assignments may include supervisory duties and may be assigned to other groups throughout their career.

When assigned to Construction, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Functioning as Engineer-In-charge (EIC) on smaller, less complex projects. Duties include, but not limited to, administering contract plans, overseeing construction activity, ensuring timely contractor payments are made, proactively ensuring project safety, and coordinating with regional groups as field changes become necessary.
• Functioning as an Office Engineer. Duties include, but are not limited to, ensuring project compliance with the Manual of Uniform Record Keeping (MURK), reviewing inspector Daily Work Reports (DWRs), checking quantity calculations, and preparing estimates for EIC approval.
• Functioning as a Construction Inspector. Duties include, but are not limited to, monitoring construction work activities of a work operation to ensure safety, the quality of work, and compliance with contract documents and Department requirements, reviewing Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC) for proper setup, measuring field accomplishments on a daily basis, and preparing Daily Work Reports (DWRs).
• Functioning as the Assistant Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Assistant IAST Coordinator, or Assistant Plant Quality Assurance Technician assisting in establishment and implementation of quality control requirements and quality assurance programs to ensure that designs and materials used in a project meet the specified quality requirements.

When assigned to Design, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Designing simple projects or parts of more complex projects.
• Reviewing the work of drafting and engineering technicians assigned to the team.
• Preparing special specifications; preparing plans through proficiency in CADD drafting software; preparing cost and quantity estimates for contracts; evaluating construction alternatives for cost effectiveness, maintenance needs and impacts on surrounding areas; assisting in collecting and evaluating information; preparing final plans, specifications and quantity estimates for projects; and checking and verifying the accuracy of design and contract plans and estimates prepared by others
• Acting as Survey Crew Chief; preparing survey plans and maps, determining highway boundaries under the direction of a licensed Land Surveyor; and reviewing highway boundaries and acquisition maps prepared by consultants.
• Assisting in the in the inspection and evaluation of bridges, culverts, overhead sign structures and other transportation elements; assist in collecting and evaluating field data and other structural information; assist in the preparation of inspection reports; and perform field investigations. Must be able to work in an outdoor environment, traverse steep slopes when necessary, enter water drainage courses, carry and setup inspection equipment and work in close proximity to traffic.

When assigned to Traffic, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting basic traffic engineering studies and reviews, which include field investigations, crash analyses, creating of conditions diagrams and making recommendations for solutions. These traffic studies will be in compliance with applicable standards, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; determine any changes to traffic control devices to address the outcome of the traffic studies, insuring compliance with federal and state standards on traffic control devices.
• Working with designers, planners and operational staff in development of scope and plans for projects.
• Assisting in recommending more extensive safety improvements after field investigations, crash analyses of corridors or larger studies, under the guidance of an engineer.
• Communicating (verbal and written) with the general public and elected officials, as directed.

At the time of appointment and continuously thereafter, possession of a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State is required or the ability to meet the travel requirements of the position must otherwise be demonstrated. Overnight assignments, night work and weekend work may be required to support construction operations.

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Promotional: 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 (all parenthetics), Senior Engineering Technician, or Senior Engineering Technician (Soils).

Open Competitive:
Either 1. 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 possession of a diploma issued by a recognized educational authority;

Or 2. 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 in number 1;

Or 3. a bachelor'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.

Candidates may also be qualified 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.

If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in appointment to this position, a permanent appointment may be made pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. To be eligible, 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 Region 3, Senator Hughes State Office Building, Syracuse NY, Onondaga County

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

*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, it is expected 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 be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of 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 educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. 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: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt

The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules

DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

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. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

How to Apply

Name Nicole Clark, Regional Personnel Specialist

Telephone

Fax 315-428-4283

Email Address R3-HR-personnel@dot.ny.gov

Address

Street NYS Department of Transportation

333 East Washington Street

City Syracuse

State NY

Zip Code 13202

 

Notes on ApplyingQualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and a copy of required transcripts (if applicable), titled by last name, with the Notice Number R03-25-73 and last name in the subject line and referenced in the letter of interest, no later than January 15, 2026.