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National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: kphoger on August 06, 2012, 09:13:05 PM

Title: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: kphoger on August 06, 2012, 09:13:05 PM
A friend of mine who is a bridge engineer here in Wichita asked me the other day if I would consider taking a job (hypothetically) at his firm's office a few hours away in a larger city.  He told me firms are now finding that, if a person is able to do the work required even without an engineering degree, it's cheaper to hire such a person rather than an engineer.  Read:  guys like me accept lower wages than engineers.  He even went so far to later ask that other office if they were hiring.

I kind of laughed it off at the time, saying I was nowhere near knowledgeable enough for that kind of work, but he told me not to write it off so fast.  His words:  "You know what the MUTCD is, for example."  Even though his other office isn't hiring, he said the guy actually seemed interested in the idea of hiring someone like me.

My question:
What roadgeek jobs are out there for blokes like me who have nothing more than an Associate's degree?
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Beltway on August 06, 2012, 09:34:20 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 06, 2012, 09:13:05 PM
A friend of mine who is a bridge engineer here in Wichita asked me the other day if I would consider taking a job (hypothetically) at his firm's office a few hours away in a larger city.  He told me firms are now finding that, if a person is able to do the work required even without an engineering degree, it's cheaper to hire such a person rather than an engineer.  Read:  guys like me accept lower wages than engineers.  He even went so far to later ask that other office if they were hiring.

I kind of laughed it off at the time, saying I was nowhere near knowledgeable enough for that kind of work, but he told me not to write it off so fast.  His words:  "You know what the MUTCD is, for example."  Even though his other office isn't hiring, he said the guy actually seemed interested in the idea of hiring someone like me.

My question:
What roadgeek jobs are out there for blokes like me who have nothing more than an Associate's degree?

Engineering technician jobs in road design, traffic engineering, bridge design, construction inspection, to name a few.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Alps on August 06, 2012, 09:35:05 PM
Engineering Assistant is an actual position. You do a lot of the work of an engineer but aren't allowed to manage projects, sign off on plans, etc. That could be up your alley. Another thought is to look into transportation planning or policy. (Like it takes knowledge to be a planner. Hah! ;))
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: corco on August 06, 2012, 09:40:20 PM
Quote(Like it takes knowledge to be a planner. Hah! )

We know a little about everything and a lot about nothing.

But yeah, transportation planning is where it's at.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: The High Plains Traveler on August 06, 2012, 10:43:44 PM
I was "Hazardous Waste Coordinator" at MnDOT for a couple of years, ending about 1990. (Hint: never take a job with the title "Coordinator"). I rewrote the job description, got them to post it as a classified Principal position corresponding to positions in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency whence I came, then I left and got a job in consulting. Still wonder about that. The Road Not Taken.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 06, 2012, 10:51:22 PM
16 Road-related employment

16.1

Q: What are some road-related jobs?

A: The list includes but is not limited to planner, construction, engineer, spokesperson, cartographer, historian, driver, teacher, travel agent, and traffic reporter/report producer.
Almost all of those jobs require at least a high school diploma and most require a bachelor's degree from an accredited college. Apr 4, 2002


Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Scott5114 on August 07, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
One that we might forget about is being a rest area/state welcome center attendant. (You know, the guy that stands behind a desk and hands out maps.) I've seen them get asked questions by travelers several times that might be of interest to a roadgeek (what's the best route from here to X, do I need to worry about construction on highway Y, what is there to do in Z).
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2012, 04:59:00 PM
I was an engineering technician for a few years just out of college.  I found that the job was kind of a let down.  I had thought that it would be the perfect job for a roadgeek, but my expectations may have been too high.  Since then I have entered the environmental field, and enjoy that much more.  This way, work is work, home is home.  Others may disagree with me, but that's my take.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: mcdonaat on August 07, 2012, 05:00:46 PM
Same problem here... in college for a Construction Management job, but I want to pretty much do anything and everything.

My first order of business would be to install Clearview signs along brand-new highways (with FHWA shields), revert to button copy signs on older bridges, and resurface every highway, in order from 1-3290. Rural Interstates would get concrete with asphalt shoulders, and rural two-lane hilly roads would get three-lane sections.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Alps on August 07, 2012, 07:20:03 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 07, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
One that we might forget about is being a rest area/state welcome center attendant. (You know, the guy that stands behind a desk and hands out maps.) I've seen them get asked questions by travelers several times that might be of interest to a roadgeek (what's the best route from here to X, do I need to worry about construction on highway Y, what is there to do in Z).
I've tried chatting with them about traffic, exit numbers, road conditions in general. Almost all of them are clueless as to that stuff, and some aren't even local to the rest area they work at. Odd that your experience is different - or did you not stick around for the answer?
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: KEK Inc. on August 07, 2012, 10:32:49 PM
Quote from: mcdonaat on August 07, 2012, 05:00:46 PM
Same problem here... in college for a Construction Management job, but I want to pretty much do anything and everything.

My first order of business would be to install Clearview signs along brand-new highways (with FHWA shields), revert to button copy signs on older bridges, and resurface every highway, in order from 1-3290. Rural Interstates would get concrete with asphalt shoulders, and rural two-lane hilly roads would get three-lane sections.

Unrealistic pipe dreams & minute preferences on changing road sign standards can blow state budgets. 
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: golden eagle on August 07, 2012, 11:16:19 PM
Truck or bus driver.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: AsphaltPlanet on August 07, 2012, 11:19:15 PM
It's not just that, but when you work for a highway agency or construction company, you just go to work to perform a function.  The fact that you may have grand ambitions to remake the highway system in your image is irrelevant, because your job is quite simply to do the work that gets assigned to you.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: 3467 on August 07, 2012, 11:32:04 PM
Logistics(route the trucks instead of drive them) has been hot recently -BA is ususally good enough go to a state school its cheaper .
Geography for planning. I would argue its better than engineer for planning but with the state cutbacks its not promising for a few years. The state cutbacks may make logistics hotter. I was waching a truck driver trying to figure his way around some suprise detours today
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Scott5114 on August 07, 2012, 11:59:11 PM
Quote from: Steve on August 07, 2012, 07:20:03 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 07, 2012, 04:32:53 PM
One that we might forget about is being a rest area/state welcome center attendant. (You know, the guy that stands behind a desk and hands out maps.) I've seen them get asked questions by travelers several times that might be of interest to a roadgeek (what's the best route from here to X, do I need to worry about construction on highway Y, what is there to do in Z).
I've tried chatting with them about traffic, exit numbers, road conditions in general. Almost all of them are clueless as to that stuff, and some aren't even local to the rest area they work at. Odd that your experience is different - or did you not stick around for the answer?

It might vary from state to state. I saw a Mn/DOT guy at their welcome center in Duluth marking up someone's map for them and discussing their route (which based on the snippets I caught sounded as though it wasn't completely in Minnesota). I never personally talk to them myself so it could be that this guy is just that good at his job...or he was full of it.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: bulldog1979 on August 08, 2012, 05:30:49 PM
Another option, but several of MDOT's communications/PR people are former journalists and TV reporters. Dawn Garner worked at WLUC-TV for a while and later at MDOT, and James Lake handles the Superior Region Communications Office after a stint at The Mining Journal in Marquette, Michigan. HB would have first-hand experience with that as well, right?

Another option for those so inclined is photography. I know that MDOT has a photo lab and archives section.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Alps on August 08, 2012, 08:43:25 PM
Quote from: 3467 on August 07, 2012, 11:32:04 PM
Logistics(route the trucks instead of drive them) has been hot recently -BA is ususally good enough go to a state school its cheaper .
Geography for planning. I would argue its better than engineer for planning but with the state cutbacks its not promising for a few years. The state cutbacks may make logistics hotter. I was waching a truck driver trying to figure his way around some suprise detours today
Planning is a closed door right now due to state budgets. Planning is always the first to go and last to recover because you get more bang for your buck putting projects out the door. Not that it's much better trying to be an engineer right now, but I wouldn't recommend going into planning unless you foresee good times aplenty upon graduation.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: hbelkins on August 08, 2012, 09:57:44 PM
Quote from: bulldog1979 on August 08, 2012, 05:30:49 PM
Another option, but several of MDOT's communications/PR people are former journalists and TV reporters. Dawn Garner worked at WLUC-TV for a while and later at MDOT, and James Lake handles the Superior Region Communications Office after a stint at The Mining Journal in Marquette, Michigan. HB would have first-hand experience with that as well, right?

Yep. More than a dozen years in print journalism. Most of the district PIOs in Kentucky have some type of journalism background. The current director of Public Affairs in Frankfort is a retired AP reporter.

Another thought is a program coordinator for some of the various programs that state DOTs offer. Things like Adopt-A-Highway, highway safety programs (ours was called "Drive Smart" until recently), and education programs such as our Kentucky Engineering Exposure Network (promoting engineering careers to high school kids). There are opportunities from being in inventory and accounts to being a mechanic to being a trainer, a safety coordinator or a human resources specialist.

There are all kinds of people working for state DOTs who aren't engineers.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Zmapper on August 08, 2012, 10:59:00 PM
Perhaps you could be the DOT HQ janitor?  :bigass:
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: corco on August 08, 2012, 11:02:19 PM
QuoteGeography for planning. I would argue its better than engineer for planning but with the state cutbacks its not promising for a few years.
QuotePlanning is a closed door right now due to state budgets. Planning is always the first to go and last to recover because you get more bang for your buck putting projects out the door. Not that it's much better trying to be an engineer right now, but I wouldn't recommend going into planning unless you foresee good times aplenty upon graduation.

Geography as a planner is my saving grace right now- I did my undergrad in Geography concentrating on GIS and am about to graduate with my master's in planning. The fact that I know GIS and can go be a competent GIS Tech somewhere (and hopefully have a leg up on people with only a bachelor's in Geography) is the only thing that gives me any confidence that I'll find a job right now.

It's ugly right now out there though- an internship is a requirement for graduation in my program, and a lot of folks aren't even able to find unpaid internships. They want to work but there's either no work for them to do or there is nobody to supervise them.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: SP Cook on August 09, 2012, 04:04:32 PM
My state hires quite a number of people in the ROW office.  Pretty much going out to the landowners, explaining the process, trying to get documents signed and making sure the legal issues are covered.  Associates degree level work.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Road Hog on August 09, 2012, 04:09:35 PM
What about the people who drive around and scrape the roadkill off the pavement? I don't know whether that's a DOT job or whether it's contracted out. Probably different in each state.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: NE2 on August 09, 2012, 04:14:21 PM
Quote from: Road Hog on August 09, 2012, 04:09:35 PM
What about the people who drive around and scrape the roadkill off the pavement? I don't know whether that's a DOT job or whether it's contracted out. Probably different in each state.
I think they call those vultures.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: US71 on August 09, 2012, 04:49:06 PM
I'd love to have a job working for Jacob Brake Co photographing "No Jake Brake" signs that a lot of towns post.  ;-)

Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Scott5114 on August 09, 2012, 05:52:43 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 09, 2012, 04:04:32 PM
My state hires quite a number of people in the ROW office.  Pretty much going out to the landowners, explaining the process, trying to get documents signed and making sure the legal issues are covered.  Associates degree level work.

Keep in mind though that's a job that has the potential to get dangerous very fast. I'm sure most people are pretty upset the state is taking their land from them (even if they are getting compensated). And when you add the fun of some of the landowners being backwoods WV folk...
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: hbelkins on August 09, 2012, 09:07:31 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 09, 2012, 05:52:43 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 09, 2012, 04:04:32 PM
My state hires quite a number of people in the ROW office.  Pretty much going out to the landowners, explaining the process, trying to get documents signed and making sure the legal issues are covered.  Associates degree level work.

Keep in mind though that's a job that has the potential to get dangerous very fast. I'm sure most people are pretty upset the state is taking their land from them (even if they are getting compensated). And when you add the fun of some of the landowners being backwoods WV folk...

We have the ROW agents in our office and I haven't heard any stories about problems. Most landowners already know that their property is going to be taken by eminent domain long before the ROW agent shows up at their door. They're basically appraisers.

Another opportunity is a signal tech. A working knowledge of electricity and wiring is what's needed here, moreso than any engineering qualifications.

And did I mention mechanics? We have mechanics on staff that are work out of the district equipment garage but are assigned to the county garages.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: SP Cook on August 10, 2012, 05:12:10 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on August 09, 2012, 09:07:31 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 09, 2012, 05:52:43 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 09, 2012, 04:04:32 PM
My state hires quite a number of people in the ROW office.  Pretty much going out to the landowners, explaining the process, trying to get documents signed and making sure the legal issues are covered.  Associates degree level work.

Keep in mind though that's a job that has the potential to get dangerous very fast. I'm sure most people are pretty upset the state is taking their land from them (even if they are getting compensated). And when you add the fun of some of the landowners being backwoods WV folk...

We have the ROW agents in our office and I haven't heard any stories about problems. Most landowners already know that their property is going to be taken by eminent domain long before the ROW agent shows up at their door. They're basically appraisers.


Agree with that.  In my state, most ROW agents are female, and I have never heard of any trouble.   The state prepares a set of plans years before any ROW acquisitions take place, so everybody knows they are in the highway's path for a long time before they get visited.  In fact, a lot of people an anxious to have the state buy the land long before it wants to.   An appraiser comes up with a value and the ROW agent sees if the landowner will take it, and then finishes out the legal paperwork if they will.  Then (or following a condemnation) the ROW agent works with the landowner for extras not covered by the purchase price (such as connect fees with utilities, moving expenses, even counseling) all of which the state pays.  They also work very hard to find the owner a new place to live, working with relators and such (this can be a real issue in rural parts, where there really is no rental market and houses do not turn over as they do in prosperous areas).  Further, many takes are not for a new four lane or such, but are small takes, often a few square feet, to cut curb or such.

The money that the state pays, particularly in total takes, is far more than what a person would get on the open market.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: thenetwork on August 10, 2012, 05:31:39 PM
I dunno about other states, but I can verify that in Western Colorado along I-70, the four Visitor Centers/Rest Areas in which there are people giving out tourist information (Fruita, Grand Junction, Parachute & Rifle) are for the most part all volunteers (usually seniors &/or retired people). 

Surprised someone hasn't mentioned driving the Googlemaps Streetview car as a great job for roadgeeks. 

Anyone know who you have to know and where you have to apply for one of those jobs (and what is the official title of that position)?

Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: Takumi on August 10, 2012, 05:41:46 PM
^ In a similar vein to the GSV car, a Red Bull car used to come to my college campus on occasion when I was there and hand out drinks. I remember it had North Carolina plates, so who knows how far it ventured from there.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: formulanone on May 21, 2020, 08:07:15 PM
Maybe there's some construction site demand for a heavy equipment operator; you can point to some experience, unlike a lot of newbies.

A job with 90-100% travel commitments can also fill the void, especially if it's in an automotive/trucking field. All of the roadgeekiness of travel with none of the government's say in the matter...Except for the TSA, and the fact your destinations are random.

Granted, we're shifting to 25-50% of our work being remotely-trained and installed, there's still a lot who want the personal touch of immediate help, unless a particular stay-at-home order or non-essential barrier is placed.
Title: Re: Roadgeek jobs for non-engineers
Post by: debragga on May 22, 2020, 08:42:13 PM
Quote from: mcdonaat on August 07, 2012, 05:00:46 PM
Same problem here... in college for a Construction Management job, but I want to pretty much do anything and everything.

My first order of business would be to install Clearview signs along brand-new highways (with FHWA shields), revert to button copy signs on older bridges, and resurface every highway, in order from 1-3290. Rural Interstates would get concrete with asphalt shoulders, and rural two-lane hilly roads would get three-lane sections.

Construction Management? Pineville, LA? I'm guessing you're a Warhawk too