Provincial Geotechnical Engineer (3002) at The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• NQF level 8 Qualification: B.Eng. / BSc Civil Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant civil engineering experience post registration.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in geotechnical investigations, pile design, settlement calculations, slope stability assessments, and bearing capacity calculations, etc.
• Minimum 3 years managerial experience.
• The Candidate must have at least 10 years working experience in related industry, and specialist experience in Geotechnical Engineering.
• Must be registered as a Professional Engineer with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Added advantage:

• Post graduate degree (M. Eng / MSc) with focus on Geotechnical Engineering is advantageous.
• Prior engineering consulting experience advantageous.

WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES

• Progressive knowledge and technical understanding of excavations, foundations, slopes and earthworks, as well as soil mechanics.
• Knowledge of relevant COTO TRH Guidelines.
• Working knowledge of industry standard software for geotechnical design and analysis.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant industry standards, specifications and legislation.
• Extensive knowledge of civil design and construction practices related to road works, as well as the road network maintenance and operations activities.
• Knowledge and understanding of the South African Pavement Engineering Manual (SAPEM).

Skills

• Ability to examine information and facts in detail to gain a comprehensive understanding.
• Ability to pay close attention to details and complete tasks with a high level of thoroughness, accuracy and completeness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound ability to manage contracts made with third party vendors, contractors or consultants and the ability to negotiate, support and manage the effectiveness of those contracts.
• Ability to objectively analyse and evaluate issues and factual evidence in order to form judgements.
• Accountability for setting and management of budget allocation for area of control.
• Ability to lead by example, influencing, guiding and motivating people to act towards achieving a common goal.
• A high level of computer proficiency is required in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ensure the Talent Management and Performance Management activities of team are conducted and leveraged to manage Talent in team.
• Ability to identify and define problems, evaluate available options to address, select the best course of action and implement the selected solution.
• Ability to co-ordinate and efficiently manage resources, time and budgets for multiple projects.
• Demonstrated success at building and managing meaningful relationships with employees, business leadership and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage and oversee the successful management of critical strategic internal, public and media stakeholders.

Key Performance Areas include, but not limited to:

Project identification and planning

• Co-ordinate geotechnical assessments required for route alignment determination during strategic road network planning
• Review preliminary geotechnical assessment reports and provide input
• Participate in the identification and prioritisation of projects in region requiring geotechnical investigations and design, or is required to address issues with slope stability
• Facilitate discussions with other authorities impacted by projects e.g. Eskom/Transnet
• Prepare and manage overall budget for assigned design projects
• Determine resources (i.e. Geotechnical Engineers) required to execute planned projects and if adequate capacity is available
• Assign design projects and associated budget to Geotechnical Engineer to execute

Oversee procurement for design phase

• Review and approve tender documentation for the appointment of consultants.
• Ensure compliance to SANRAL’s procurement policy.
• Review all contracts for assigned design projects.

Provincial oversight over design projects

• Oversee the performance of all design projects managed by Geotechnical engineers in the region.
• Conduct regular status meetings with Geotechnical Engineers to discuss the progress of projects, financial performance and cashflows, issues and risks, and any other project or contract related matters.
• Manage any contractual issues on projects that have been escalated by the Geotechnical Engineer.
• Guide and support Geotechnical Engineers with project management and community engagement related activities when required.
• Conduct ad-hoc construction site visits.
• Ensure all required documentation is electronically uploaded into the records management system and/or submitted for physical storage.
• Review and approve payment certificates.
• Cultivate and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor the performance of Geotechnical Engineers and provide feedback to enable professional growth.
• Act as a mentor for candidate engineers with an interest specialising in geotechnical engineering.

Slope Management System (SMS)

• Review and analyse information captured in the SMS relating to slope conditions and slope stability issues that are being monitored.
• Advice on appropriate action for slope stability issues that have been escalated by the Route Manager (RRM).
• Co-ordinate slope failure and high-risk site investigations.

Technical advisory and support

• Study and evaluate design reports and drawings for all regional projects to ensure that appropriate geotechnical design standards are met.
• Provide geotechnical advisory services to external parties in region (e.g. Provincial Department) in areas such as such as slope stability, pavements, foundations, bearing capacity, retaining walls and excavation design.
• Support Geotechnical Engineers in region with developing recommendations based on review of geotechnical investigation and analysis reports.
• Actively participate in the Geotechnical functional working group.
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues.
• Maintain good working relationships with all colleagues in all regions and areas of expertise.