Lead Geotechnical Engineer

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Geotechnical Engineer for our geotechnical team based in Anchorage, AK. Be involved in projects with our Alaska Earth and Environment Team and be a part of a growing and vibrant team that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.

Provides geotechnical engineering and guidance for a geotechnical team executing small to large programs in transportation, power, oil and gas, property and buildings, and mining.  Tasks may include managing and providing support on diverse projects with services that include an emphasis on geohazard identification, field reconnaissance, managing subsurface exploration programs, engineering design, construction support, and geohazard monitoring and geotechnical instrumentation. Generates accurate and concise reports and documentation regarding subsurface investigations and geotechnical engineering recommendations.  Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical project site, soil/rock/water samples, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface utility information, maps, hydrologic analysis, geotechnical data, and other aspects for project development, design, and construction.  
• Apply high-level geotechnical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional geotechnical engineering analysis and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface explorations, soil foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, slope stability, and operations to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction practices.
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; preparing construction safety and phasing plans, and updating infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, grading, drainage, laying out installations, foundations, slopes, retaining structures, embankments, and other systems that are made or supported by soil or rock.
• Develop and incorporate advanced technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality or end-users, transportation systems, structures, and the implementation of future-ready solutions with geotechnical engineering design standards.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Coordinate, review and approve infrastructure design plans, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Review Geotechnical and Environmental reports (Phase I and Phase II).
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field explorations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, drillers, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally-funded improvements, and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest geotechnical engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Geotechnical Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in engineering and geotechnical design.
• Engineer license is required, successful candidates need to demonstrate the ability to obtain Alaska Professional Engineer registration within 12 months of hire date.
• Proficient with geotechnical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of infrastructure design.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.
• Proficient understanding of the disciplines of rock and soil mechanics to investigate subsurface and geologic conditions to design and build foundations, earth structures, and pavement sub-grades.
• Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant construction laws, codes, regulations, permitting, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and explorations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (e.g., Rocscience Software, Slope/W, Temp/W, Ensoft Software), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel will be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with cold regions and/or permafrost geotechnical applications
• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in Engineering.
• 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120).
• Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training.
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