Edward J. Zemeck, P.E. Civil Engineer & Construction Safety Expert

Professional Experience

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving construction site safety; vehicle and highway accidents; street, sidewalk and parking lot construction; bridge, highway, underground utilities, pole, line and tower construction; as well as multi-story new building construction and restoration.

• Road and street maintenance and protection of traffic
• Water erosion, flooding and drain systems
• Construction site safety and health program management
• Use of personal protective equipment
• Excavation and trench shoring
• Working at heights and fall protection
• Confined space definition and entry
• OSHA Regulations and New York Labor Law

Assist in the creation, management, and execution of public works projects within the City of Schenectady, in addition to the oversight of private work performed within the public right of way.

• Project Management and oversight of Contractors doing new construction and infrastructure repairs and renovation.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with safety, environmental and health regulations and guidelines.
• Ensure that technical specification and plans for projects are followed by sub contractors for buildings, concrete foundations, roadways, sidewalks, waterlines, sanitary and storm sewer, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and overhead and underground utilities installation.
• Conduct daily work release briefs, project progress meetings, approving on site change orders, final inspections and commissioning of projects.
• Surveillance of safe work practices for lifting and handling, excavations, elevated work, energized work on mechanical and electrical systems, hot work permits, and lead and asbestos control procedures.
• Provide design input and cost estimates and schedules during project planning and preparation of technical specifications and plans.
• Department of Energy Security Clearance Level "L"

• Project Management and oversight of Contractors doing new construction and infrastructure repairs and renovation.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance with safety, environmental and health regulations and guidelines.
• Ensure that technical specification and plans for projects are followed by sub contractors for buildings, concrete foundations, roadways, sidewalks, waterlines, sanitary and storm sewer, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and overhead and underground utilities installation.
• Conduct daily work release briefs, project progress meetings, approving on site change orders, final inspections and commissioning of projects.
• Surveillance of safe work practices for lifting and handling, excavations, elevated work, energized work on mechanical and electrical systems, hot work permits, and lead and asbestos control procedures.
• Provide design input and cost estimates and schedules during project planning and preparation of technical specifications and plans.
• Department of Energy Security Clearance Level "L"

Over twenty years of managing company that self performs projects requiring special expertise and technical skills. Coordinated specialty subcontractors into the mix of highly skilled tradesmen. Successfully contracted for and constructed projects as diverse as underground vaults and ductbanks to cellular tower and antenna installations on high-rise buildings and helicopter lifts on remote mountaintops. Attained Company Qualification as approved Subcontractor for Bechtel, Inc. and General Dynamics. Subsequently performed construction operations in three states to the satisfaction of Prime Contractor and Owners. Completed Historical building construction to the complete satisfaction of established preservation Architects by adherence to the guidelines of the Secretary of Interior Standards. Gained a reputation in the field of historic preservation as a proponent for preservation of landmark buildings. Maintained Operator Qualification Program and Drug and Alcohol Testing Program in conformance with USDOT provision as required for 3 year Term Contract Agreements for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. for gas pipeline and regulator station work.

As Division Manager, successfully oversaw a workforce of direct hires, Foremen, Superintendents, Project Managers and office staff numbering at times 70 persons spread out over 7 states in the Northeast. Directed personnel, materiel and equipment to successfully complete multiple projects. Coordinated and conducted marketing of new work, budgeting and controlling job costs and estimating and negotiating prime contracts, subcontracts and change orders. Cost analyses of jobs were performed to guide and track performance of crews and projects. Client list included all major utilities such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Central Hudson, Niagara Mohawk; General Electric, NYDOT & ConnDOT and national developers. Overcame geographic hurdles to construct cross-country communications trunkline involving tunneling and remote site building construction. Bridge, Highway and Site projects were completed throughout the northeast while maintaining close network with main office and interdepartmental cooperation and frequent communication with executive staff and company owners. Consistently succeeded to perform as the most profitable company division.

Concurrently held position of Company Safety Officer that required implementation and oversight of jobsite safety programs in accordance with OSHA guidelines and Labor Laws. Developed extensive knowledge of safety practices and employee training process. Emphasis was placed on trench safety, fall protection, ladders and scaffolds and onsite observance. Enforced and impressed the need for safety first on all projects.

Served in several roles for major Heavy and Highway firm. Worked as Field Engineer on New York State DOT projects. Acquired first-hand experience for layout and site control of bridge and highway work. Project Superintendent on Bridge and Highway projects, major municipal sewer and stormwater and water main projects. As Project Manager and Vice-President responsible for the bidding and managing of major large dam and powerhouse projects as well as major utility infrastructure installations of gas main, electric and telephone underground systems. Acquired a strong working knowledge of the strict standards and specifications for Federal Highway Administration bridge and highway work, especially the proper placement of reinforced structural concrete. Worked closely with engineers and architects on meeting stringent quality requirements for retaining walls and foundations and soils placement. Early on recognized the value of developing strong industry contacts based on integrity and responsibility to the professions of construction and engineering that continue to this day.

Construction Management Experience:

Duties included reviewing, negotiating and approving contracts and subcontracts, writing and implementing contract language, familiarity with technical specifications, interpreting scopes of work and contract obligations and deciding on means and methods to complete contract requirements. Reviewing and approving change orders. Cost estimating, bidding unit price and lump sum contracts. Provided leadership to crew up projects, select equipment, subcontractors and suppliers to successfully build projects to strict specifications and budgets. Projects involve:

• Bridge and Highways
• Foundations and Formwork
• Shoring, Excavation and Sitework
• Concrete placement and concrete pumping
• Sewer, Water, Gas Mains
• Large Dam, Marine and Powerhouse Construction and Rehabilitation
• Underground Electrical and Telephone Ducts and Vaults
• Cellular Telephone Tower and Site Construction
• Multi-Story Commercial Buildings
• Single Family Residences
• Façade Restoration and Interior Refurbishing of existing Multi-Story Buildings
• Historical Restoration of National Register Listed Properties

Design & Design Build Experience:

Completed field work and designs for site grading and drainage, foundations, crane placement and crane rigging, cofferdams, earthen dams and their waterworks. Worked closely with Soils Engineers on design and construction of retaining walls, underpinning and engineered soils. Participated in the design of light commercial and residential buildings. Solely responsible for the design, permitting and construction of residential building additions. Consulted on historical building construction renovations and provided the engineering required for the installations of the renovations. Keen observation skills and many years of sizing up building and site conditions lend to renown for problem solving.

Professional Credentials

Professional Engineer: New York State

Certifications:

• Class IV Asbestos Worker
• OSHA 30-Hr. Training Certification
• Lock Out Tag Out Qualified as Principal Authorized Employee and Supervisor for energized mechanical and electrical systems.
• Lifting and Handling Rigging Trained to OSHA Subpart CC and BSME 30
• Contractor Crane Awareness Training per NAVFAC P-307 (Naval Shipyards Regulations)
• Excavation and Shoring Competent Person
• Elevated Work Section Lead
• Electrical Safety Qualified to enter Energized Work Boundaries
• Certified Climber and Trainer and Rescue
• Certified JAHN Restoration Mortar Installer
• OSHA 10 Hr. Course and Fall Protection Certified
• Op Qual Task 70 Office of Pipeline Safety USDOT (2002)

Contractor License:

• Massachusetts: Construction Supervisor (Inactive)
• Florida: Building Contractor (Inactive)
• Connecticut: Antenna Installer (Inactive)

Education

B.S., Civil Engineering, Syracuse University College of Engineering, 1972
B.S., Forest Engineering, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1971

Continuing Education:

• OSHA 30-Hour Safety Instruction and Training Certification, 2012
• Energy Efficiency Services, Commercial & Industrial Incentive Programs, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Saratoga Springs, NY, 2011
• Historic Preservation: Concentration in Historic Building Construction, Pratt Institute Manhattan, Center for Continuing Professional Studies
• Accounting and Business Finance Coursework, Union College, Schenectady, NY

Professional Memberships

• International Code Council, Building Safety Professional
• Full Competition License to the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)

v. 12/12/22