Condemnation Engineer

CIVIL ENGINEER V - CONDEMNATION ENGINEER - IPR# 47445

Agency : Department of Transportation

Closing Date/Time: 07/11/2024

Salary: $6,638 - $10,516 Monthly

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $6,638 - $8,138 Monthly

Job Type: Salaried

County: LaSalle

Number of Vacancies: 1

Plan/BU: NR916 Pro-Tech Teamsters

• This position is covered by the Revolving Door Prohibition policy.

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Agency Mission Statement

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Condemnation Engineer.

The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity, and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois.

Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.

The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday work schedule

• Flexible work schedules in several program areas (flexible time, hybrid scheduling)

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance

• Pension Plan

• (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave

• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)

• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually

• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually

• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually

• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for analyzing and coordinating the condemnation district activities for the Bureau of Program Development and, in conjunction with the Condemnation Manager, for advising Special Assistant Attorney Generals on trial strategy so as to satisfy technical and fiscal elements in completing the Annual Improvement Program.

This position reports to the Land Acquisition Engineer. Reporting to this position is the Contracts Manager.

This position is responsible for providing technical expertise for condemnation activities so that title to land is obtained in an efficient and economical manner while causing as little adverse public reaction as possible. This position provides engineering advise and consultation to personnel in the Acquisitions and Appraisals Units so that they are properly apprised of engineering policy requirements. The incumbent should have a thorough understanding of engineering reports and construction plans to provide advice to non-engineering personnel in the offices of the Land Acquisition Section, Special Assistant Attorneys General, and central Bureau of Land Acquisition.

An important challenging aspect of this position involves the incumbent's consultations with Special Assistant Attorneys General regarding technical considerations, which must be reconciled prior to bringing a case to court. It is essential that the Special Assistant Attorneys General recognize the concept of the project for which the right-of-way acquisition is in lay terms to establish proper foundations for the real necessity of acquiring the property in question to meet construction schedules. Another challenge is receiving plats, plans, and documents from those outside the Land Acquisition Section in a timely manner in order to acquire land to meet the project schedule.

The incumbent reviews negotiation files, final offer letters to property owners, assemblage of documents, data, and evidence for transmission through the central office to the Attorney General, who appoints a special assistant to handle the case in question. The incumbent discusses the technical engineering aspects including engineering testimony of the case with the Special Assistant Attorneys General, acts as an engineering resource person, and coordinates all activities throughout the proceedings.

The incumbent meets with departmental personnel prior to trial to counsel on the expected lines of questioning from both the Special Assistant Attorneys General and the opposing attorneys on cross examination. When adverse settlements are obtained in trials, the incumbent assesses results and recommends appeal or acceptance of the decision. The incumbent serves as the department's engineering expert witness.

Other personnel may be utilized, as needed, from other sections to prepare court exhibits and documents required for condemnation proceedings under the incumbent's supervision. The incumbent assists with Phase I and Phase II engineering in the Studies and Plans Section when the workload of the incumbent permits.

Job Responsibilities Continued

The incumbent is governed by departmental rules/regulations, construction schedules, project plans and specifications, and state statutes relative to eminent domain. When making decisions, the incumbent relies on experience, engineering knowledge, legal knowledge concerning Illinois Eminent Domain Laws and the realities of the general departmental philosophy relative to acquisition.

The incumbent accomplishes accountabilities through the following staff:

Contracts Manager who is accountable to conduct property owner research, payment processing, title analysis and final clearance required to secure right-of-way. The incumbent also participates in maintenance of the Land Acquisition System (LAS).

Internal contacts are with the Land Acquisition Engineer and staff, bureaus of Program Development, Project Implementation, Operations, central Bureau of Land Acquisition, and Office of Chief Counsel. The incumbent has contacts with Special Assistant Attorneys General, defendants' attorneys, property owners, title companies, land surveyors, county engineers, township commissioners, and the public.

Possible districtwide travel with overnight stays is required for classes, training, and to work on projects. Occasional overtime may be required.

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the incumbent's ability to provide engineering advice and ability to advise and coordinate department personnel and others to obtain title to the land required by condemnation in a timely manner to meet construction schedules. The incumbent must keep costs in line with available resources and maintain good working relationships with departmental personnel, Special Assistant Attorneys General, and personnel from other agencies.

Principal Accountabilities

1.Provides engineering direction and technical expertise for all district condemnation activities.

2.Determines the necessity for condemnation and the best course of action to obtain title to land.

3.Coordinates all engineering technical and policy aspects of proceedings with Special Assistant Attorneys General and Land Acquisition personnel.

4.Provides engineering advice to the Land Acquisition Section and Appraisals and Plats and Plans Units.

5.Directs the preparation of warrant requests for condemnation parcels. Processes Special Assistant Attorneys General bills.

6.Reviews hearing and trial results and determines advisability of appeal or acceptance.

7.Serves as the engineering expert witness to establish the necessity of the proposed acquisition for the department.

8.Supervises the Contracts Manager and all relative responsibilities.

9.Performs all duties in accordance with the departmental safety manual. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

1.Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois.

2.Five years of experience in civil engineering.

3.Valid driver's license.

4.Districtwide travel with occasional overnight stays.

5.Occasional overtime.

6.Successful completion of a background screening.

Position Desirables

1.Ability to direct the work of other engineers and non-engineers.

2.Strong oral and written communication skills.

Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday

Work Location: 700 E Norris Dr, Ottawa, Illinois, 61350

Office: Office of Highways Project Implementation/Region 2/District 3/Program Development

Agency Contact: DOT.CONTACTHR@ILLINOIS.GOV

Posting Group: Transportation ; Leadership & Management; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor ("OEIG") or may be subject to a fine.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

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Nearest Major Market: Ottawa