Geotechnical Engineer jobs in Iowa

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.
 
Location:  Ames, Iowa – Design Bureau/Soils Design Section
 
Shift Requirements:  Days, Monday through Friday. Flexible work hours available. Possibility to telework part-time after completion of an initial 6-month probationary period. 
 
As a Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Engineer Specialist), your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Aids consultants on non-standard, complex subsurface investigations, analyses, and geotechnical designs (including structural bearing analysis, retaining walls, subsurface treatments, settlement, slope stability and drainage).
• Performs reviews of advanced laboratory and field investigation programs, analyses, and designs performed by geotechnical consultants under contract of the DOT.
• Oversees, advises and provides recommendations on non-standard subgrade treatments, drainage, and other grading project activities which require an advanced understanding of geotechnical issues.
• Performs embankment slope stability analysis to determine if additional right of way is necessary for stability purposes. 
• Designs slope stability remediation measures which include stability berms and flattened slopes in addition to more complex design measures such as rock buttresses and Yugoslavian drains.
• Provides recommendations regarding the design and installation of specialized ground remediation technologies.
• Assists with emergency response, disaster coordination needed as a result of major rain and flooding events.
• Performs and/or coordinates foundation and overall stability analysis for bridges, culverts, and drainage structures.

• Maintain a valid Iowa Driver’s License.
• Must possess and maintain licensure as an Iowa Professional Engineer in Active status.   Licensure in Iowa must be obtained within the first 6 months of employment.

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.
• Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2024 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match.
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) All of the following (a and b):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).

Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.