Description
About the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program:
The Engineering & Architecture Associates Program is a two-year rotational program at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey open to Engineering and Architecture students who are receiving a bachelor’s or master’s degree between September 2023 and May 2024. During their first year, Associates rotate through different Engineering/Architecture disciplines in both construction and design. Associates also rotate through different Port Authority facilities, like: George Washington Bridge; Holland Tunnel; JFK Airport; LaGuardia Airport; Lincoln Tunnel; Newark Airport; PATH; World Trade Center; and more. In their second year, Associates focus on the discipline they applied for. In addition to gaining hands-on experience and becoming part of the team in each rotation, the Engineering & Architecture Associates Program also provides mentorship, professional development, training, networking, and facility tours.
Even though this is a rotational program, Associates are full-time, permanent employees with a yearly salary and benefits. After successful completion of the program, Associates are promoted to Associate Engineer/Architect. As of 2023, there are close to 200 program alumni still working at the agency. Most Associates grow their careers within the Engineering Department (we have Associates who have rose to Chief positions) while others transition to engineering roles in other departments like: Aviation; Operations Services; Major Capital Projects; PATH; Planning & Regional Development; Port; Sustainability; Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals; World Trade Center; and more.
The 2024 cohort is expected to start in the beginning of June.
About the Geotechnical Design Division:
As part of a multi-discipline Engineering Department, the Geotechnical Design Division prepares in-house designs and contract drawings; audits consultant designs for compliance with code and project requirements; reviews inspection reports of Port Authority facilities and recommends design repairs to maintain the facilities in a state of good repair; and performs audits of tenant construction at Port Authority facilities for compliance with applicable codes (all in support of the Port Authority capital and operating programs). The Geotechnical Design Division covers all aspects of geotechnical design such as but not limited to: shallow and deep foundations; surcharge and settlement analyses; micropiles and drilled shafts; retaining walls and temporary support of excavation walls; flood protection and resiliency structures; temporary and permanent soil and rock anchors; jet grouting; grouting for leak mitigation; and seismic site-specific response spectra and liquefaction analyses.
Responsibilities:
While there’s no typical day for an Associate because rotations vary, some examples of responsibilities related to the Geotechnical Design Division include:
- Working with different Engineering/Architecture disciplines and departments
- Visiting different facilities to learn how the Geotechnical Design Division works and coordinates with the other disciplines and departments to complete projects
- Reporting to one of the senior level Geotechnical Engineers, assisting with different aspects of geotechnical design
- Reviewing available data
- Compiling subsurface information for a project site
- Preparing the scope of work for a subsurface investigation program for additional information required for design
- Preparing cross sections of subsurface profiles to summarize soil conditions for a project site
- Performing design calculation and computer analyses required for project design
- Assisting with checking calculations prepared by other Engineers in the group and auditing calculations submitted by consultants
- Assisting with basic AutoCAD work for preparation of location plans and sketches
- Assisting with preparation of PowerPoint presentations
Examples of Rotations for a Geotechnical Design Associate:
The most recent rotations have included: Geotechnical Design; Materials (Soils Laboratory and Field Investigation); Project Delivery; Sustainability & Resiliency Group; Structural Design; and Construction Management at a construction site.