IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE
CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES
DESIGN TECHNICIAN SERIES
Class Code |
Class Title |
|
|
|
|
04370 |
Design
Technician Associate |
|
04371 |
Design
Technician |
|
04372 |
Design
Technician Specialist |
SERIES CONCEPT
Positions classified in this
series perform paraprofessional engineering design work. Technicians work in various areas, including,
but not limited to technical engineering design, engineering software,
management of consultant services, geotechnical design, cartography,
photogrammetry, property title determination pavement design, pavement
management, or automation enhancement.
Technicians prepare technical plans, detail drawings, or maps for the
planning and design of roadways, bridges, right of way, culverts, park
facilities, bikeways and trails, lighting, drainage, and flood control systems,
signing, safety improvements, pavement markings, traffic control devices and
related civil and transportation engineering projects.
Positions that include full
supervisory functions.
Positions that are not related to
the planning or design of improvement projects.
Positions performing work
classified in the Engineering Aide series, the Materials Technician series, the
Planning Aide series, and the Right of Way Aide series.
(APPLIES TO ALL JOBS)
1)
Computer Applications
2)
Project Management
3)
Planning and Design of Projects
4)
Education/Training
5)
Engineering Studies/Research
6)
Quality Control
Computer Applications
·
Creates and administers access privileges for Local
Area Network (LAN) based server project design for use by multiple offices, by
which other offices within the Department can access and utilize the project
data.
·
Develops, maintains and customizes electronic files
that generate the cross section drawings and performs specific computer aided
Design and Drafting (CADD) tasks.
·
Develops batch programs to control input of specific
design information.
·
Utilizes engineering software to calculate or modify
roadway or bridge geometrics, quantities, or other project information.
·
Inputs specific project detail information into the
computer files to show complete representation of the project plans, quantities
and specifications for contract documents.
·
Utilizes or creates computer-generated maps, plans,
or displays to illustrate project details for other offices, agencies or the
general public.
·
Manages LAN based file systems, understand the file
interrelationships and customize data within the files.
·
Originates and generates all facets of the project
plans from computer files.
·
Develops and utilizes spreadsheets to automate design
calculations, minimizing time for updates of project changes.
·
Develops tools or programs to more efficiently use
computer applications for Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), software
and other applications.
NOTE: Everything is
generated by computer. The computer is
essential to the duties and responsibilities performed by Design Technicians.
Project Coordination
·
Communicates with employees in other offices,
departments, divisions, and other internal consultants as well as various
federal, state, and local agencies, and the public to obtain information,
facilitate project development, and keep improvement projects on schedule to
construction.
·
Provides detailed information on project schedules to
management for tracking project development.
·
Organizes work flow to effectively meet immediate and
final project deadlines and assure that all partners in the development process
have current and timely information for their use.
·
Coordinates all aspects of the purchase of property
needed for construction purposes and provide input to the most economical
method to design the project.
Planning and Design of Transportation Projects
·
Selects specific design criteria for each individual
project depending on the type of roadway, traffic volume, location of project,
and review of existing roadway.
·
Selects, creates or modifies appropriate design
information such as typical cross sections, or standards to meet project
requirements.
·
Identifies non-standard situations and creates
alternate solutions to meet concept guidelines.
·
Analyzes project materials, as-built plans and
existing conditions to economically meet geotechnical requirements, right of
way constraints, and environmental constraints in designing project alignment
and ultimately the construction plans.
·
Creates specific plan details such as structural
plans, roadway intersection geometrics, traffic control layouts, and right of
way, which control what and how a project is constructed.
·
Reviews and interprets right of way contracts, plots,
and legal descriptions to determine property ownership and title and to review
property titles accessed through the internet or by reviewing the abstract. Determines the amount of property to be
acquired necessary to construct the project.
Education/Training
·
Arranges and conducts individual training sessions in
preliminary design and detail design procedures; use of manuals, policies and
procedures, and specifications.
·
Schedules and coordinates training for consultants.
·
Arranges and conducts individual training sessions in
detail computer applications.
·
Gives guidance to employees using oral or written
instructions or demonstrations.
Engineering Studies/Research
·
Researches standards, specifications, state and
federal guidelines, historical project information, manuals and/or material
catalogs to determine specific project information.
·
Researches plans, survey information, legal
descriptions or other historic project information to determine property
ownership and the specific property boundaries, and to review property titles
accessed through the Internet or by reviewing the abstract.
·
Reviews ALAS (accident) data to determine cause and
effect of accidents and specific accident patterns, and utilize the data to
suggest alternate concepts or solutions for the accident location and
justification for use of safety funding.
·
Researches and evaluates specific software programs,
for applicability to the design process.
·
Prepares feasibility studies to determine the proper
economic and practical design procedures, policies, specifications and details
for use in developing project concepts and location studies for projects.
·
Researches project databases for similar project data
to use as an example or reference to design a specific project or part of a
project.
·
Analyzes procedures within the design process to
maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
Quality Control
·
Utilizes engineering software, CADD or a calculator
to verify calculations, detailed drawings, aerial photography, survey data,
shop drawings and finished plans or maps developed by co-workers, consultants,
or contractors to ensure completeness, accuracy, and adherence to design
concept, specifications, and contract provisions.
·
Identifies errors, problems, or non-standard
situations and suggests alternate solutions.
·
Analyzes potential damage to properties caused by the
proposed property acquisition, suggests alternate design details or changes to
minimize damage to the property and reduce the cost of the acquisition.
·
Analyzes various bridges or structures to select the
most cost effective structure to meet site specifics.
·
Follows guidelines in creating CADD file data to
insure consistency such that information utilized by others is located
correctly within the files.
Positions in this class work under
close supervision assisting other design technicians, and engineers by working
on a part of a project. The work
performed is reviewed for accuracy by other technicians, so that the impact
from errors is associated with minor delays due to rework. Associates generally work in Computer
Applications, Design of Projects, Engineering Studies/Research and Quality Control
areas.
Positions at this level work on a
total project. Minimal supervision is
required with only intermediate checks to work at key points in the development
process by an equal or by a Design Technician Specialist. Errors will impact the mission of the
department in creating delays to projects and affecting the quality of the
finished product. Undetected errors
could pose a safety hazard to the public.
Technicians at this level work in all areas.
The following
types of positions are found at this level:
1.
Positions assigned to work with major urban projects
which typically involve making decisions with regard to minimizing damage to
the property owner, rerouting of traffic while road construction is underway,
etc. The Specialist must deal with legal
and politically sensitive issues as well.
This often times requires presenting information at public hearings.
2.
Positions that are assigned to work on multiple
projects at this same time requiring the position to act as a leadworker over
Design Technician Associates, and Design Technicians.
3.
Positions that involve skill and expertise in very
specialized areas such as photogrammetric stereoplotter operations, soils
analysis, pavement design, computer application support etc.
4.
Analyzes systems, programming, or engineering
problems and develops software solutions.
Coordinates with other offices necessary information to be incorporated
in project plans.
Positions at this level are the
primary educator for Design Technician Associates and Design Technicians. Design Technician Specialists work with
minimal supervision and direction. At
this level positions have the authority to give final approval of a project for
the Engineer’s or supervisor’s signature and are considered to be experts in
design details, project management, quality control and computer usage. Errors at this level adversely affect the
mission of the department by creating delays to projects, the quality of the
finished product and costly extra work orders during construction. Undetected errors could pose a safety hazard
to the traveling public and litigation against the state.
Effective Date: 7/99 BR
DESIGN TECHNICIAN GUIDELINES CHART
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Knows and understands computer file systems
and management, Basic use of computer programs and has some basic programming
skills. Assists Technicians, Specialists
and Engineers in project development. |
Errors are detected
in succeeding operations where work is verified. Impact is to rework and the work of others
within the section. |
Close supervision
with frequent review of work. |
The accuracy,
consistency and acceptability of work impact other employees within the work. |
Trains in full use
of computer applications, file management and system usage. Technical design software training for each
aspect of project development. |
|
Technician |
Production level
expected to develop projects or portions of complex projects
independently. Expected to set up and
maintain computer files, develop engineering software code, select and input
alignments, develop criteria per project guidelines, and produce finished
design plans, maps or other displays. |
Errors are detected
in succeeding operations where work is verified. Impact is to rework and the work of others
in other offices. |
Minimal supervision
with review of work prior to submittals to other offices. Final check of quantities and projects
design criteria prior to letting. |
The accuracy,
consistency and acceptability of work effects other offices timely completion
of their work effort. |
Utilizes full range
of computers and software packages for project design and plan production. |
|
Specialist |
Expert in the
development of complex projects or major portions of complex projects. Expected to create and administer computer
files, develop engineering software code input and review alignments, project
criteria and produce finished design plans, maps or other displays. Uses initiative in solving complex
questions related to proper use of software, and the resultant end product. |
Errors can be
reflected into many projects, and cause rework for the office and other
offices. |
Receives general
project guidelines and direction with end product review of work prior to
letting. |
Significantly
affects the development effort of other offices, divisions, and consultants. |
Recognized expert
in use of new computer technologies for plan production. Trains others in detailed use of computer
software applications. |
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Knows and understands project development
process. Assists Technicians,
Specialists and Engineers in project development. |
Errors affect
timely completion of work. |
Close supervision
with frequent review of progress of work. |
Impacts the work
effort of other workers in the section and other offices. |
Technical design
software training for each aspect of project development. |
|
Technician |
Production level
expected to develop projects or portions of complex projects
independently. Expected to communicate
time requirements, project progress to supervisor and other departments. |
Delay to the
project due to other offices waiting on information to be completed. |
Minimal
supervision. Work is reviewed at major
junctures of projects. Progress is
monitored toward submittal of plans for letting. |
Impacts the work
effort of other offices within and outside of the division. |
Knowledge of the
development process. Utilizes full
range of computers and software packages for project management. |
|
Specialist |
Expert in the
management of complex projects or major portions of complex projects. Understands the development process used to
produce finished design plans, maps or other displays. Estimates time requirements for completion
of project elements. Coordinates
submittals to other offices of information to be incorporated into project
plans. |
Lack of providing
information to other offices in a timely manner may result to delay to
project lettings. |
Receives general
timelines and direction with end product review of work prior to letting. |
May impact the
5-year program if projects are delayed past the start of the fiscal year. |
Recognized expert
in project development, and project management. Trains others in detailed use of computer
software applications and the development process. |
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Assists Technicians, Specialists and
Engineers with the design of projects. |
Errors detected in
succeeding operations where work is verified.
Impact is to rework and the work of others within the section. |
Close supervision
with frequent review of work. |
Impacts other
employees in a section and their completion of their work efforts. |
Trains in full use
of computer applications, file management and system usage. Technical design software training for each
aspect of project development. |
|
Technician |
Production level
expected to design projects or portions of complex projects
independently. Expected to input
typical cross sections as per project guidelines, meet all minimum
requirements for a safe and economical design. |
Errors found after
major junctures in projects will cause delays and result in extensive rework
for the office and for other offices. |
Minimal supervision
with review of work at major junctures of projects. A final detail check of quantities and
projects design criteria is done prior to letting. |
The accuracy
consistency and acceptability of work impacts other employees within the work
unit and affects other offices timely completion of their work effort. |
Utilizes full range
of computers and software packages for project design and plan production. |
|
Specialist |
Expert in the
design of complex projects. Expected
to set up design criteria per project guidelines, and produce finished design
plans, maps of other displays.
Coordinates with other offices, receives and checks information to be
incorporated into project plans. Uses initiative in
solving complex questions related to proper design. |
Possible delays
which may cause extensive rework for the office and for other offices. If errors are not caught in the final
detail check, they can result in costly extra work orders to change the
project during construction, rework before or after letting, and may cause
delays to other projects. Errors may
impact the project time line, contractors work and expose the public to
extended construction. Project errors
found during construction result in costly extra work orders. |
Receives general
project guidelines and direction with a general end product review of work
prior to letting. |
Changes affect
contractors, and the public. May
impact the safety of the public resulting in accidents or lawsuits against
the department. |
Recognized expert
in use of computer technologies for plan design and production. Trains others in detailed design and the
use of computer software for design. |
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Shares knowledge with others. |
Some delay, impact
and rework cost minimal. |
Close supervision. |
Limited, depending
on extent of background knowledge. |
Trains in
increasingly complex use of computer applications, file management and system
usage. Technical design software
training for each aspect of project development. |
|
Technician |
Provides one-on-one
training for other technicians or consultants in specific areas of design or
computer usage. |
Delays are possible
with extensive rework. |
Minimal
supervision. |
Impacts the
successful completion of projects. |
Utilizes full range
of computers and software packages for file management and system usage. |
|
Specialist |
Provides one-on-one
or group training in specific areas of design or computer applications. Coordinates training with other offices and
consultants. Receives training and
passes on knowledge to other team members. |
Errors may cause
extensive rework for the office and for other offices on many projects, and
can cause costly extra work order in construction or failure to deliver
projects on time. |
Receives general
guidelines and direction. |
Impacts the
implementation and successful use of new technology or equipment. |
Researches new
software technologies. Recognized
expert in use of new computer technology.
Trains others in use of new technologies. |
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Assists Technicians, Specialists and
Engineers with reviewing as-built plans, researching information in manuals,
specifications, legal description and other areas. |
Errors are usually
detected during verification of information.
Some delay, impact and rework cost minimal. |
Close supervision
with frequent review of work. |
Supports the work
of other employees in the section. |
Trains in full use
of computer applications, file management and system usage. Utilizes the system to locate and research
information related to the project. |
|
Technician |
Production level
reviews as-built plans, researches information in manuals, specifications,
legal description and other areas as needed to produce finished design plans,
maps or other displays. |
Errors are serious
causing inaccuracy in the plans and extensive rework. May cause delays to project lettings. |
Minimal supervision. Review of work is done at intermediate
completions date for projects. |
Impacts the
successful completion of construction projects. May delay or impede the work effort of
other offices. |
Utilizes full range
of computers and software packages for project design and plan
production. Utilizes the system to
locate and research information related to the project. |
|
Specialist |
Expert in the
interpretation of as-built plans, plats, manuals, specifications, legal
descriptions, etc. Researches new
areas and writes special provisions covering bid items not covered in the
standard specifications. |
Errors are serious
and may not be found until construction resulting in extra work orders. |
Receives general
project guidelines and direction with end product review of work prior to
letting. |
Impacts the project
lettings and construction. Impacts the
public. |
Recognized expert
in use of new computer technologies for research. Researches, reviews and recommends final
presentation of project. Trains others
in detailed use of computer software applications, such as Web use. |
|
Level |
Complexity |
Impact of
Errors |
Supervision
Received |
Scope of
Impact |
Technical/ Equipment |
|
Associate |
Entry level. Assists Technicians, Specialists and
Engineers in project development.
Associates may check work of other Associates. |
Some delay, impact
and rework cost minimal. |
Close supervision
with frequent review of work. |
Impacts team
members work effort. |
Trains in full use
of computer applications. |
|
Technician |
Production level
expected to develop projects or portions of complex projects
independently. Review of Associates
and other technicians work for accuracy and completeness. |
Possible delay to
other offices due to errors found by other offices causing extensive rework. |
Minimal supervision
with review of work at major junctures of projects. Final check of quantities and projects
design criteria prior to letting. |
Impacts team
members and other offices immediate work effort. |
Utilizes full range
of computers and software packages to check project quantities and assure
accuracy on project plans. |
|
Specialist |
Expert in the
development of complex projects or major portions of complex projects. Verifies, for other Design Technicians, and
the Design Technician Associate's accuracy of project design and
quantities. Coordinates with other
offices all information needed to complete the project plans for letting. |
Possible delay to
letting construction projects. Costly
extra work orders and changes during construction. Errors could impact the safety of the
public resulting in the accidents or lawsuits against the department. |
Receives general
project guidelines and direction with end product review of work prior to
letting. |
Impacts the timely
completion of projects. Impacts the work
efforts of inspectors and contractors using the plans. |
Recognized expert
in use of new computer technologies for quality control and plan
production. Utilizes software to
verify the accuracy of project design and quantities. Researches, reviews and recommends new uses
of the computer for checking quantities
and maintaining quality through file transfer methods. Trains others in detailed use of computer
software applications. |