Construction Program Engineer (Engineer 4)

About Us

The Department of Public Works supports Nova Scotia’s 23,000 kilometers of roads and highways and 4,100 bridges. Our Highway Programs Division is growing, and we have an opportunity available for a Senior Engineer to join to our team. Become part of the team today who is responsible for managing all phases of bridge and highway construction. Watch your projects come to life and make exciting impacts to the Provincial road network of Nova Scotia.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Highway Construction Services, the Construction Program Engineer (Tendering) (CPE) is responsible for the supervision of tendering staff and co-ordination and preparation of construction tenders and contracts using industry and Department standards. The CPE also ensures the Department’s Standing Offers for services are in place and being followed by the end users. They are involved in the preparation and opening and closing of all tender and contract documents for the Public Works Highway Capital Construction Program. The incumbent reviews and updates Department construction specifications and policies, evaluates construction and survey procedures and prepares reports on financial, technical, and other construction related matters.

The CPE acts as a key resource person to field staff in addressing construction issues, including providing interpretation of Contract language for disputes, contract security questions and contractor claims. The CPE tracks Proposal/Contract status and budget and scope changes throughout the tendering process to provide the Executive with up-to-date status reports. The CPE also researches, analyses and recommends changes to various highway construction specifications, policies, procedures, regulations and manuals. The CPE assesses training requirements and coordinates training for staff, including Contract Administrators and Tender Clerks. The CPE develops, maintains and updates a number of operational reports, manuals and reference documents as required.
 

Primary Accountabilities

The Construction Program Engineer (CPE) co-ordinates and supervises the staff in the tendering division in the preparation and opening and closing of all tender and contract documents for Department of Public Works Highway Capital Construction Program projects and/or other Programs as required. This includes:

• Preparation of tenders, contract specifications and development of special provisions specific to individual projects.

• Evaluates tenders to review construction trends and cost analysis that may affect the Capital Program Budget.

• Updates and edits budget/project management programs to create tender numbers and advertisements and tracks all required inputs to support the Capital Construction Program. Also, the CPE reviews and updates Department construction specifications and special provisions to be used in Contracts. This will include creating and chairing working group committees.

• Acts as a key resource person to field staff in addressing construction contract issues, including contract security questions, warranties and contractor claims based on knowledge of Contract documents and Special Provisions.

• Ensures that senior staff receive a status report of Tendering activities as it relates to the Capital Program Budget, this includes total funding tendered, Asphalt totals, average costing for various type of treatment.

• Supervises the Standing Offer Contract Administrator and the work involved with maintaining the Department’s Standing Offers for Highway Construction Services. This includes supervising the standing offer documents development and ensuring guidelines and policies set out in them are being followed. This would include ensuring statements of work are properly completed and that work is being awarded according to our Standing Offer Agreement Contracts.

Qualifications and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering is required along with a minimum of six (6) years of related experience. You must be registered as a Full Member (P.Eng) with Engineers Nova Scotia (ENS) or be able to be registered within 6 months of appointment.

Experience writing technical documents and specifications related to the practices of highway and bridge construction and design. Working knowledge of the Department’s Standard Specifications, Special Provisions, National Master Specifications, Public Highways Act, Motor Vehicle Act, and Occupational Health and Safety.

Good negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation skills.

Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to use sound judgement related to policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Experience working with word processing and Excel spreadsheets as well as other electronic project estimating/bidding software would be an asset. Applicants must have the ability to coordinate activities and work in a multi-disciplinary team-based environment as well as independently on complex, detailed projects.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

A majority of your time will be spent in an office environment, but site visits may be required during all seasons and various weather conditions on heavily-travelled roads or in rough, isolated areas of construction sites.

Additional Information

This is a Term employment opportunity with anticipated end date of August 31, 2025.  The appointment status Term is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.