Roads & Transportation Engineer

Essential Functions: Plan, design, and manage roadway and transportation capital projects from concept development through construction completion and closeout. Develop and review project scopes, engineering designs, cost estimates, schedules, specifications, bid documents, and budget forecasts. Perform and/or review roadway, traffic, and transportation-related drainage design for compliance with County, state, and federal standards. Support construction by reviewing submittals and shop drawings, responding to RFIs, conducting field visits, evaluating changing conditions, and resolving design-related issues. Coordinate consultant contracts and monitor consultant performance, schedules, invoices, and deliverables for assigned projects. Administer assigned public works contracts related to roads and transportation, including roadway maintenance, roadside mowing and vegetation management, and similar contracted services; monitor scope, performance, service levels, invoices, compliance, and contractor responsiveness. Prepare technical reports, maps, analyses, presentations, and recommendations for the Engineering Director and County leadership.

Permit Review & Regulatory Compliance: Review driveway permits, right-of-way encroachment permits, road cut permits, transportation access requests, and transportation-related development plans. Ensure compliance with County development regulations, engineering standards, ADA requirements, and applicable GDOT requirements. Coordinate with developers, engineers, contractors, utilities, and County departments to resolve design deficiencies, conflicts, and permitting issues. Conduct field checks and maintain accurate technical and permit documentation.

Funding, Grants & Project Coordination: Monitor transportation projects funded through TSPLOST, SPLOST, grants, or state/federal sources for technical and reporting compliance. Work closely with the Roads & Transportation Project Coordinator to maintain project schedules, records, funding documentation, reimbursement support, and grant deadlines. Provide technical direction for assigned transportation projects while ensuring administrative project controls remain current. Provide functional direction and project priorities to the assigned Project Coordinator while the Engineering Director retains overall departmental supervision and personnel accountability.

Coordination & Communication: Coordinate with Public Works, Planning & Zoning, Utilities, Emergency Services, Finance, Procurement, consultants, and contractors regarding transportation needs and project delivery. Attend public meetings, Board meetings, project meetings, and community outreach sessions as required. Respond to citizen and stakeholder concerns involving roadway safety, traffic, access, drainage, and transportation infrastructure. Engage directly with residents, property owners, businesses, and other members of the public regarding roadway projects, maintenance concerns, transportation improvements, access issues, and project impacts; explain technical information and County processes in a clear and professional manner.

Additional Responsibilities: Maintain accurate project, contract, permit, budget, grant, correspondence, decision, and technical records in accordance with County requirements and applicable retention standards. Perform related duties consistent with the purpose and level of the classification and operational needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no formal personnel supervisory responsibility. The position may provide functional direction, technical guidance, and project priorities to an assigned Project Coordinator, but the Director of Engineering / County Engineer retains personnel supervision and departmental accountability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of applicable County standards, project delivery practices, public procurement processes, records requirements, and relevant local, state, and federal regulations. Ability to analyze technical, financial, operational, and project information and develop clear, supportable recommendations. Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, contracts, schedules, estimates, reports, permits, and other technical documentation relevant to assigned work. Ability to coordinate effectively with County departments, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, elected officials, and the public. Skill in written and oral communication, project documentation, issue resolution, and presentation of technical information to nontechnical audiences. Ability to organize multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain accurate records, and identify issues requiring escalation or licensed professional review.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a closely related field; equivalent directly related engineering experience may be considered where appropriate. Five (5) years or more of progressively responsible experience in transportation engineering, roadway design, construction inspection, project management, or municipal permitting. Knowledge of roadway geometric design, transportation engineering principles, drainage, construction methods, and public infrastructure project delivery. Ability to interpret and produce engineering plans, plats, specifications, estimates, and technical studies. Familiarity with GDOT standards, permitting, right-of-way processes, and local government capital improvement procedures. Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) certification/licensure. Experience designing or managing GDOT-funded projects, including local-let procedures. Experience with GIS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or project management software. Experience with transportation grants, TSPLOST/SPLOST, and public-sector procurement.

Work Schedule and Availability: Full-time professional schedule. Capital projects, public meetings, emergencies, construction activities, inspections, deadlines, and operational needs may require travel and work outside normal business hours, including evenings or weekends.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Sit or stand and use computers, phones, plans, documents, and project-management systems - Frequently - Performs professional, administrative, analytical, and project-management work. Walk on uneven terrain; bend, stoop, kneel, climb, and move through active project or construction areas - Occasionally - Conducts site visits, inspections, observations, and project meetings. Lift or carry plans, equipment, tools, samples, or supplies of moderate weight - Occasionally - Supports field review and project activities; assistance should be used when appropriate. Observe field conditions and exchange accurate technical information - Frequently - Evaluates projects, coordinates work, and communicates with stakeholders.

Work Environment: Work is performed in offices, meeting spaces, vehicles, active construction areas, roadways, parks, utility locations, and other County facilities or project sites. Field work may involve exposure to traffic, construction activity, uneven terrain, noise, dust, wetness, humidity, temperature extremes, equipment, and other conditions typical of public infrastructure and capital projects. Appropriate training, personal protective equipment, traffic control, and site-safety procedures are required when applicable.

Disclaimer: Effingham County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law. This job description summarizes the position's primary duties and requirements. It is not an exhaustive list of every task, responsibility, or qualification. Duties may be modified or assigned based on operational needs, subject to applicable law and County policy. Employment Relationship This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It is not an employment contract and does not create a guarantee of employment for any specific duration. Employment with Effingham County is at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the County at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable federal or state law, County ordinances, personnel policies, and any other legally binding employment protections.