Professional Engineer

Anyone can appreciate the joy of hiking over a mountain creek thats swollen from stormwater when they're on a solid and stable trail bridge. Providing visitors with an enjoyable and safe hiking experience is something A.T. volunteers, partners, and managers have been working towards for decades. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy seeks volunteers that are licensed Professional Engineers (PE) and have the requisite qualifications to directly support several major and complex bridge replacement projects along the Virginia section of A.T.

If you are a PE who would like to support the Appalachian Trail, please consider contributing your time and skills by expressing your interest in this volunteer position. This position serves as an advisor to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and supports the construction of engineered trail bridges for weary hikers along the A.T. in central and south-west Virginia with United States Forest Service personnel, A.T. maintaining club volunteers, ATC staff, as well as A&E and/or construction contractors.

The term for this position is flexible and can be matched with individuals schedule. Project(s) could take 6 months to three years and could include multiple major or complex pedestrian trail bridge replacement projects.

Responsibilities

• Familiar with USFS Bridge catalog, standards, and guides, as well as or able to become familiar
• Familiar with USFS FSH 7709.56b Transportation Structures Handbook, USFS - The Built Environment Image Design Guide, or able to become familiar
• Knowledge of the AT, National Scenic Trails, and the unique character of the resource
• Coordinate and collaborate with AT partnership ATC staff, agency personnel, AT maintaining club volunteers at all stages from planning through construction
• Visit project locations to inform siting, design package development, construction, etc.
• Draft engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates for bridge replacements for review by agency partners
• Provide technical expertise before and during bidding, selecting contractors for A&E and construction, and quality control/inspection during construction
• Duties and responsibilities will vary depending on the individual(s) selected for the position

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in engineering.
• State professional engineer license; Professional Engineer license should be in good standing, or ability to prove license was in good standing if it has lapsed.
• Three or more years as an engineer, with experience at all stages of projects from site assessment through construction.
• Background in structural engineering or experience on trail bridge projects preferred.
• Previous work history with federal or state land managing agencies, and non-profits preferred
• Periodic travel to various Virginia sections of the A.T. in remote locations with changing weather conditions and traversing variable terrain
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent written, electronic and verbal communication skills
• Good interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Terms and Compensation

• Volunteer only; no salary/wage
• Approved expenses may be reimbursed