City Utilities will correct the issue with "Engineer" title of employee

We received a response from the email we brought you earlier about Ed Bergsieker holding the title "Utilities Engineer" which he has held 1998.

Keith Reeves, Director of Columbus Utilities, responded today and had this to say;

"Mr. Bergsieker holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University (1983).  Before coming to the Utilities he was a Project Engineer for the Indiana Department of Highways.

He was hired by the Utilities at my recommendation in 1992, in the position of Assistant Utilities Engineer.  Upon my promotion to Director in 1998, I promoted him to the position of Utilities Engineer that he now holds.

He has never been registered as a professional engineer in the State of Indiana. He has never claimed to be, and he has never been required by the Utilities to obtain professional registration.

His job duties consist of operations management of field operations and drinking water production as well as standards review of engineering drawings and design coordination with consulting engineers.  He performs no engineering functions as defined by the State without my direct supervision and review.  (I am a registered engineer**).  I have been and remain very pleased with his work and I am confident that all engineering services are being provided in accordance with Indiana professional standards and law."

"After receiving your note, I asked the City Attorney to investigate the issue for me.  His investigation found that a statute exists (IC-25-31-1-34) which does state that "unless a job position is filled by a professional engineer, the state or political subdivision …may not use the word “engineer" in the position’s job title”.   While fully aware that the preparations of plans and specifications for public projects required a professional engineer, I confess that I was unaware of this restriction beyond the statutory office of City Engineer.   Steps will be quickly made to correct this issue." 

The State Statute; 

IC 25-31-1-34

Use of engineer in political subdivision job title

     Sec. 34. (a) This section does not apply to a job position filled by the department of environmental management.

    (b) Unless a job position is filled by a professional engineer, the state or a political subdivision (as defined in IC 36-1-2-13) may not use the word "engineer" in the position's job title.

As added by P.L.215-1993, SEC.31. Amended by P.L.16-1994, SEC.9.

Now as for the statement "He performs no engineering functions as defined by the State without my direct supervision and review.  (I am a registered engineer**)" Keith's license is expired as of the last time I checked and obtained the following information on March 8th 2012. Does this mean Keith is doing Engineering duties without a license? 

**KEITH L REEVES

Address Information - Columbus IN 47201

License Information

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