Bridge Maintenance Mechanic

Seattle Department of Transportation; Seattle (WA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join the Seattle Department of Transportation as a Bridge Maintenance Mechanic, where you'll be at the forefront of maintaining and sculpting the city's infrastructure. This role involves hands-on work with cutting-edge structures, leading a team, and ensuring the safety and reliability of Seattle's bridges. If you're passionate about making a lasting impact on the city's transportation system, this position is for you!

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Vacation and Sick Leave

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Qualifications

• Requires four years of metal working experience equivalent to journey-level status.
• Must have a valid State of Washington Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Repair and maintenance of diesel generators and hydraulic components.
• Perform journey-level oxyacetylene and plasma cutting, electric arc and metal arc welding.
• Lead a team of Maintenance Mechanical Helpers.

Skills

Metal Working

Welding

Mechanical Maintenance

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Oxyacetylene Cutting

Plasma Cutting

Electric Arc Welding

Job description

Join us in shaping Seattle’s streets!

At the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), we don’t just move people—we connect communities, build safer streets, and create a more sustainable city. With a bold vision for the future, we’re tackling big challenges: making travel safer, cutting carbon emissions, and ensuring reliable, affordable transportation for everyone—no matter who they are or where they live.

Seattle is growing fast, and we’re growing with it. Thanks to a historic voter-approved $1.55 billion investment in transportation in 2024, we’re building sidewalks, fixing bridges, and improving transit connections to keep our city moving.

We’re a team of problem solvers, planners, engineers, communicators, and field crews—bringing purpose-driven work to life. Now, we need passionate, innovative talent like you. Let’s build a Seattle that works for everyone—together!

SDOT has a new Bridge Maintenance Mechanic opportunity available with our innovative Roadway Structures Division. This position will place you at the forefront of on-site restoration, maintenance, repair, and the creation of cutting-edge structures including bascule bridges, tunnels, fixed spans, subways, seawalls, stairways, and more. As a Bridge Maintenance Mechanic, you won't just be maintaining; you'll be sculpting the infrastructure that defines the city. Take charge as you lead a team of Maintenance Mechanical Helpers, orchestrating seamless collaboration with other skilled professionals such as electricians, carpenters, and cement finishers. Do you possess specialized knowledge in the intricate methods, equipment, and materials used in designing, fabricating, installing, and repairing various ferrous and nonferrous alloy metal structures and equipment. Join us in the mission to keep Seattle moving forward! This role is not just a job; it's a chance to make a lasting impact on the city's infrastructure. Your journey starts here, let's build bridges to the future together! This position reports to the Bridge Maintenance Mechanic Crew Chief.

• Repair and maintenance of diesel generators, gearboxes, drive shafts, hydraulic and mechanical components, pumps, and familiarity with preventive maintenance programs.
• Builds structural components such as new traffic gates for bridges; forms foundations for structural parts; installs steel work.
• Performs journey-level oxyacetylene and plasma cutting, electric arc and metal arc welding of metals.
• Cuts, shapes, and welds metal plates, parts, and structural members; prepares metal shafts and parts for machining.
• Performs fabrication and repairs on structural components such as the superstructure, shafts, ladders, brackets, frames, pumps, compressors, plumbing systems, storage tanks, expansion joints, stairways, catwalks, gear covers, railings, and installs/maintains anchoring systems.
• Replaces and repairs railings.
• Interprets drawings, designs, and specifications; plans/lays out work.
• Maintains and repairs various mechanical plumbing systems such as fire suppression pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
• Assists in estimating and planning materials, personnel requirements, and other resources needed for specific tasks. Drives and operates a variety of equipment over 26,000 GVW, including cranes such as fixed cab and the under-bridge inspection truck (UBIT).
• Prepares rigging; erects scaffolding, platforms, and staging; hoists and places steel beams and other materials to affect repairs.
• May act in a lead capacity over other Bridge Maintenance Mechanics and Bridge Mechanical Helpers, and coordinate work activities with associated work crews.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.
• Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice in keeping with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires four years of metal working experience equivalent to recognized journey-level status and a high school diploma (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

OR:An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position duties.

License, Certification and Other Requirements:

• Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility • A background check may be required for this position.
• A valid State of Washington Driver's License is required for employment. This license must be maintained throughout employment.
• A Class "B" Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with the airbrake restriction removed and a valid Medical Certificate are required within 90 days of employment at the employer's expense. This license and certification must be maintained throughout employment.
• A complete Abstract of Driving Record (obtained at the applicant's expense) from the State of Washington Department of Licensing.
• A State of Washington Boater Education Card or U.S. Coast Guard Marine Operator's License will be required if operating a boat. Pre-employment and random tests in compliance with the Federal Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.
• A valid State of Washington Flagging Card, forklift certification, First Aid/CPR card, and/or a defensive driving course certificate may be required within six months of employment.
• NIMS training. Fall protection, lead testing, and confined space training are required within six months of employment. Respirator fit test program training is required within six months of employment and annually after that.
• Additional program and safety training as needed. Appropriate crane certification, as required by law, is required within six months of employment at the employer's expense.

Work Environment / PhysicalDemands:

• Work must be performed safely and frequently at extreme heights, while suspended from baskets, scaffolding or safety belts. Required to work with tools, equipment, and materials under hazardous conditions, such as on high bridge structures, underground, or in small boats under piers.
• Work is frequently performed outdoors in all weather conditions, in heavy traffic, and with regular exposure to noise, fumes, dirt, and dust.
• Required to climb, bend, stoop, and lift objects weighing up to fifty pounds.
• May be required to work overtime, irregular hours, holidays, and weekends to respond to emergencies.
• This position may be required to be on Standby Duty.
• Effectively work in a multi-cultural workplace with a diverse customer base.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Hiring Process
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including a potential background check.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The full salary range for this position is $52.97 - $61.14 Hourly.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.