Engineer – Public Projects (Alaska Railroad)

Posting number: 2026-058

Department: Alaska Railroad Corporation

Job classification: Engineer – Public Projects (Alaska Railroad)

Posting type: Open

Categories: Engineering, Transportation, Miscellaneous

Summary

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Supports the approval, permitting, and execution of utility and highway authority projects occuring within ARRC Right-of-Way. Provides project cost estimates and project engineering support for capital and non-capital projects to be completed by ARRC forces and/or contractors.  

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides technical support for permitting and executing utility and highway projects within ARRC Right-of-Way including:  coordinating with other departments within ARRC for responding to requests for permits for construction of utilities and other structures on railroad property;  reviewing permit applications and project plans for compliance with ARRC ROW specifications and coordinating modifications or exemptions as required; attending project concept meetings, plan review meetings, and pre-construction meetings; working with the ARRC ROW Permit Administrator to draft utility agreements, letters of non-objection, permit modifications and temporary construction permits; estimating ARRC activities in support of permitted projects; and completing site visits, inspections, and closeout walkthroughs to ensure conformance with ARRC standards.

Works with ARRC Project Manager, Public Projects to provide support for project work completed by ARRC forces and/or contractors, including engineer’s estimates, procurement efforts, coordination, inspection, and closeout efforts. 

Develops and maintains a data base of utility and highway authority projects within the ARRC Right-of-Way.  Publishes this information in accurate, user friendly formats to track current project status.  Establishes and develops unit costs for key railroad operations. Analyzes cost data for potential productivity improvements. Supports unit cost database users (e.g., project managers). Analyzes work reports/field data to support project managers.  Assesses productivity of key programs, ensuring accuracy of data based on site visits, work reports and discussions with project managers.  Analyzes costs of work activities and interacts with project managers to optimize performance and identify improvements for present and future operations.

Prepares project cost estimates, utilizing unit cost database and input from project managers and other ARRC department personnel.      Prepares and refines estimates at various stages of the project, including conceptual design, budgetary development, and AFE (Authorization for Expenditure).  Analyzes variances and reports revised estimates to project managers as project progresses and updates unit cost database as required.      

Performs other duties as assigned including, but not limited to: occasional weekends on-call per year and maintenance of ARRC documents such as Standard Specifications and Technical Standards

May be required to participate in Incident Command exercises and activities.

FACTOR 1: Technical and Operational Knowledge

Has a working knowledge of engineering principles, practices, and specifications for civil design and construction projects.  Demonstrates a working knowledge of project management principles and practices. Exhibits a working knowledge of cost accounting, and engineering design, construction and specifications.  Understands and applies applicable industry codes and regulations. Requires a working knowledge of AutoCAD, Excel, and usual office computer software to include, but not limited to, word processing and e-mail.  

FACTOR 2: Analytical Skills & Impact

Develops cost estimates for projects and unit costs for railroad operations. Reviews civil, utility and railroad construction projects such as at-grade crossings and highway over or under crossings. Reads and understands contracts, permits, plans and specifications.  Negotiates work scopes and costs for both consultant and construction contracts. Acts as agent of the ARRC when reviewing projects occurring within the ARRC Right of Way, reviews work plans, submittals and provides inspections of contractors work.  Is familiar with Department of Transportation and other highway authority’s procurement processes, budgets and cost control methods, and value engineering to ensure that materials/services are delivered as specified and that costs are controlled, monitored, and reported in accordance with ARRC Finance and federal grant reporting procedures.  

FACTOR 3: Supervision and Control

This position will not have direct supervisor responsibility within ARRC.  Will have