Principal Engineering Technician (NY HELPS)

Duties Description

Under the direction of the Professional Engineer 1 (Civil), SG-24, or designee, the incumbent will be responsible for the daily supervision of the Regional Highway Crew. The incumbent’s duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify and gather field data; develop plans, specifications, and cost estimates for road and highway infrastructure maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation projects for completion by the Regional Highway Crew.
• Design minor projects or parts of major projects, such as drainage work, road reconstruction, and alignment of curves.
• Evaluate construction alternatives for cost, effectiveness, maintenance needs, and impact on surrounding areas.
• Make recommendations to engineering staff about revision of plans and specifications to meet field conditions or mitigate unexpected construction problems.
• Prepare exhibits and cost estimates, with supporting documentation, for meetings and public hearings.
• Supervise or complete the preparation of specifications and estimates for materials, supplies, and equipment and proceed to procurement after approval.
• Schedule personnel and equipment to accomplish road maintenance and other construction and repair projects in the region.
• Coordinate with Regional Administration, Park Managers and Environmental Stewardship staff to accomplish various jobs and projects while working closely with the Professional Engineer 1 (Civil) and Maintenance Supervisor 3.
• Routinely consult with leadership on project progress to ensure final product will be acceptable and projects remain on budget and on schedule.
• Monitor progress of all projects undertaken by assigned staff to ensure high-quality, timely project completion and proper cleanup of the worksite by personnel.
• Provide weekly written reports to leadership on the status of all planned and current projects.
• Ensure staff are trained and instructed on the proper operation of all Regional Highway Crew equipment as well as the proper techniques and practices for highway and road maintenance.
• Identify and participate in professional development training programs for self and crew members.
• Develop performance programs, conduct evaluations and seasonal progress reports, and address performance issues with subordinate staff in consultation with leadership.
• Work closely with the Regional Maintenance Garage to maintain all equipment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Civil Service Eligible lists will be canvassed. You may also apply if you are eligible for appointment or reinstatement by one of the following qualifications:

NY HELPS 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, Candidates Must Meet The Open-competitive Minimum Qualifications For This Position. The Qualifications Are:

Either 1. four years of experience assisting in engineering or engineering 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, 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, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology.

Subsequent 55-b/c Qualifications:

A subsequent 55-b/c appointment may be considered if you have at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service and have a current Civil Service 55-b/c letter of eligibility.

Reassignment Qualifications:

Current NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Employees only, with at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as a Principal Engineering Technician; if you have less than one year, you must be reachable on the current Principal Engineering Technician eligible list for this location, if one exists.

52.7 Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) Qualifications:

To be eligible for NCP, candidates must be in the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation promotion field and have at least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as a Senior Engineering Technician. If 3 or fewer qualified NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation eligible promotional employees respond to this posting, Civil Service may approve the permanent appointment of one of the qualified employees without further examination.

Note: Non-competitive refers to not competing in an examination; the appointment will be competitive.

Please Note: In order to be considered for appointment via non-competitive promotion, candidates serving in the established promotion field must not have failed or failed to take the last holding of the Principal Engineering Technician Promotion Exam.

70.1 Transfer Qualifications:

At least one year of permanent or contingent-permanent qualifying service as a Grade 14 or higher. The service must be in a title that Civil Service has deemed transfer eligible to the position.

Note: The transfer cannot be a second consecutive transfer resulting in an advancement of more than two salary grades.

For all transfers noted, a comprehensive list of titles approved for transfer is available through Civil Service GOT-IT at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/.

Operational Needs:

Additional Comments

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license that allows the candidate to legally operate a motor vehicle in New York State as a term and condition of employment.
• Must possess a working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and equipment associated with road maintenance.
• Must possess a working knowledge of safety standards and procedures and applicable codes and regulations associated with highway and road maintenance.
• Must be willing and able to work in the field in a variety of weather conditions and terrain.
• Must be willing and able to respond to emergencies and answer calls outside of the normal work schedule.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Outlook, Word, etc. and AutoCAD.
  
  

If you have previous or current employment at a NYS agency, a review of your state history may be needed. Please provide the last four digits of your social security number in your email response or on your resume. If you are not comfortable providing this information in your response, a representative from our office may contact you.

Benefits:

The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation offers a generous benefits package that includes but is not limited to:

Paid Time Off:

• 44 days - 13 Vacation days, 13 Sick days, and 5 Personal Leave days, 13 Holidays.
• PEF: Three (3) days of professional leave annually to participate in professional development.
  
  

Health Care Benefits:

• Eligible employees and dependents can pick from a variety of affordable health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.
  
  

Additional Benefits:

• New York State Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) Membership
• NYS Deferred Compensation
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, as well as U.S. Savings Bonds
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Paid Parental Leave
• NY HELPS PROGRAM:
  
  

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a permanent 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 (within one year of permanent appointment), 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 a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program are restricted for promotional appointment until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by the New York State Civil Service Commission (CSC), or they otherwise obtain permanent competitive status. The CSC has recently covered-in employees who were appointed via NY HELPS on a permanent or contingent permanent basis between June 26, 2024 and June 11, 2025. Notification to employees regarding a change in their status is forthcoming. You may wish to apply if you received a permanent NY HELPS appointment to a qualifying title within these timeframes and are interested in this opportunity. Your eligibility for promotion will be reviewed by Human Resources. Employees with a permanent NY HELPS appointment occurring effective 6/12/25 or later will be addressed with a subsequent cover-in.

This position may require a background check prior to appointment.