Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist I, II, III, IV, V, or VI

Position Information

TxDOT's Bridge Division is looking for a Bridge Inspection Specialist based in Austin, TX. This Specialist will help TxDOT ensure the safety of the traveling public, preserve our large financial investment in Texas bridges, meet and exceed the Federal Highway Administration's requirements for states' Bridge Inspection Programs, and help guide the overall direction of the TxDOT inspection program. This position is based at our state-of-the-art headquarters in South Austin. Texas' inventory of roughly 57,000 bridges is more than twice that of any other state and approximately the same as the combined inventories of 21 US territories and other states. If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce of over 12,000 employees statewide, and you have the technical and leadership skills to help lead the largest bridge program in the country, let's talk!

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value employee work-life balance. In keeping with our commitment to this value, our employees benefit from a wide array of programs and activities that include:

• Low Turnover
• Retirement Pension
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Paid Leave/Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for full-time employees
• On the Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Comprehensive Wellness Program/Wellness Leave Incentives
• Career Development Programs/Opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Performs work directly related to the statewide bridge inspection program by obtaining/reviewing bridge inspection data, performing bridge inspections, quality control reviews related to bridge inspection; addressing necessary actions regarding Federal Inspection Metrics; performance and preparation of needed plans of action of scour assessments; preparation and oversight of critical finding follow-up plans of action; addressing database discrepancies; acting as the liaison between Divisions and Districts regarding bridge matters. Assists with technical activities pertaining to bridge inspection (fracture critical inspection, underwater inspections, and emergency response inspection). Drives and learns to operate specialized bridge inspection equipment. Work requires contact with governmental officials; work is overseen by a licensed professional engineer; work requires travel. Work may be physically demanding and potentially hazardous. Employees at this level follow standard practices that do not require frequent supervision. However, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

Bridge Inspection Specialist I-III

• Assists in management of the statewide bridge inspection program
• Assists in and leads bridge inspections
• Assists in quality control and quality assurance reviews of bridge inspection reporting
• Assists with measures to ensure TxDOT meets or exceeds FHWA's Bridge Inspection Metrics
• Assists with preparing, performing, and reporting on follow-up plans of action
• Assists in ensuring the accuracy of information in the NBIS database
• Acts as liaison between Divisions and Districts regarding bridge inspection matters
• Works with others providing guidance on bridge inspection matters to internal and external customers
• Work requires contact with governmental officials, is overseen by a licensed professional engineer, and requires travel.
• Other duties as assigned

Bridge Inspection Specialist IV-V

• Assists in management of the statewide bridge inspection program
• Plans and leads bridge inspections and quality control and quality assurance reviews of bridge inspection reporting
• Plans and leads measures to ensure TxDOT meets or exceeds FHWA's Bridge Inspection Metrics
• Performs advanced technical activities related to inspection and appraisal of bridge structures according to the Bridge Inspection Manual.
• Creates, leads, and reports on follow-up plans of action and Develops proactive measures to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information in the NBIS database.
• Acts as liaison between Divisions and Districts regarding bridge inspection matters and Provides guidance on bridge inspection matters to internal and external customers
• Develops and conducts training and presentations for TxDOT staff involved in bridge inspection
• Update policy manuals
• This level of BIS may be required to temporarily act as an interim Bridge Inspection Coordinator (BIC) in a district, or aid newly appointed BICs with required duties.
• Other duties as assigned

Bridge Inspection Specialist VI

• Assists in management of the statewide bridge inspection program
• Plans and leads bridge inspections and Directs, plans, and leads measures to ensure TxDOT meets or exceeds FHWA's Bridge Inspection Metrics
• Creates, leads, and reports on follow-up plans of action and Develops proactive measures to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information in the NBIS database.
• Acts as liaison between Divisions and Districts regarding bridge inspection matters and Provides high-level guidance on bridge inspection matters to internal and external customers
• Trains new staff and provides bridge inspection related instruction for other engineering technicians or serves as assistant instructor for bridge inspector training courses.
• Update policy manuals
• Prepares and monitors contracts for inspections done by and assists with coding as needed.
• This level of BIS may be required to temporarily act as an interim Bridge Inspection Coordinator (BIC) in a district, or aid newly appointed BICs with required duties.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience:

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist I:

-NONE

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist II:

*2 YEARS in either construction; construction/bridge/related structure inspection; bridge appraisal; diving/underwater inspection of structural elements.

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist III:

*4 YEARS in either construction; construction/bridge/related structure inspection; bridge appraisal; diving/underwater inspection of structural elements.

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist IV:

*5 YEARS in either construction; construction/bridge/related structure inspection; bridge appraisal; diving/underwater inspection of structural elements.

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist V:

*7 YEARS in either construction; construction/bridge/related structure inspection; bridge appraisal; diving/underwater inspection of structural elements.

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Bridge Inspection Quality Assurance Specialist VI:

*8 YEARS in either construction; construction/bridge/related structure inspection; bridge appraisal; diving/underwater

inspection of structural elements.

(Experience can be satisfied by fulltime or prorated part time equivalent)

Licenses and Certifications:

• Mandatory: Safety Impact Certificate

Substitution

• College education and/or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.; education substitution includes: engineering, engineering technology, construction, construction inspection, commercial dive certification or a related field.

Competencies:

Extensive knowledge of:

Bridge inspection and appraisal methods and procedures

Collecting, sorting, and compiling data

Using computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems (querying, sorting, are reporting of data from a database, such as AssetWise)

Reading and interpreting applicable construction plans and maps

Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files, and reports

Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specifications/codes - Researching, analyzing, and interpreting policies and state and federal laws and regulations

Considerable knowledge of:

The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

Development of all aspects of traffic Control plans for Bridge Inspection

Bridge construction and evaluation methods, procedures, and regulations

Bridge engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory

Training in a classroom, office, or field environment

Other Attributes

Shows initiative and action beyond what is required to improve products or services; is self-starting and completes assignments independently without constant supervision

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Required to wear protective gear - respirator, hard hat, or other devices
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must (1) successfully complete a comprehensive training course based on the FHWA's Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (FHWA-NHI-Course No. 130055 - Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, or an equivalent recognized by the FHWA) within 1 year of hire, and (2) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.