Chief of Bridges and Structures (NCS) - Department of Transportation

City of Baltimore; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 117,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Baltimore, through its Department of Transportation, seeks a Chief of Bridges and Structures to lead the bridge and structural infrastructure program. This leader will oversee planning, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of city-owned bridges and related structures, ensuring projects meet scope, budget, and schedule.

Reporting to the Chief of Transportation Engineering and Construction, the role requires strong program management and knowledge of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil/structural engineering or closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible engineering, construction, or infrastructure project delivery experience, including five (5) years in a supervisory/management role.
• Equivalency may substitute education for experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead bridge and structural projects from planning and design through procurement and construction, with schedules, budgets, and successful delivery.
• Develop a multi-year capital program for bridge rehabilitations and replacements using inspection data and plans.
• Oversee federally funded transportation projects and coordinate with FHWA/MDOT SHA and similar agencies.
• Evaluate and implement project delivery methods (Design-Build, CMAR) to accelerate delivery and manage costs.
• Oversee bridge inspection, asset management, and maintenance programs and translate findings into prioritized projects.

Skills

Bridge engineering

Project management

Leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil/structural engineering

Tools

Contract management software

Bridge inspection tools

Job description

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range: $117,119.00 - $193,172.00 Annually

Starting Pay: $155,145.50 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is seeking a Chief of Bridges and Structures to lead the City's bridge and structural infrastructure program. Reporting to the Chief of Transportation Engineering and Construction, this position oversees the planning, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of City-owned bridges and transportation structures, including pedestrian bridges, retaining walls, culverts, tunnels, and related infrastructure. The Chief will manage a portfolio of capital projects, oversee engineering and construction contracts, establish infrastructure investment priorities, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. The position requires strong project delivery experience, knowledge of federal transportation funding requirements, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure projects from planning through construction.

Essential Functions

• Capital Project Delivery: Lead bridge and structural infrastructure projects from planning and design through procurement and construction, with responsibility for schedules, budgets, and successful delivery. Incorporate Complete Streets principles into bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects, including retrofitting existing structures to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, safety, and connectivity.
• Capital Program Development: Utilize data obtained from bridge inspection reports, transportation plans, and City initiatives to develop a multi-year capital program for bridge rehabilitations and replacements.
• Federal Funding: Oversee federally funded transportation projects, including coordination with FHWA and MDOT SHA, compliance with federal-aid requirements, grant administration, and reimbursement.
• Alternative Delivery: Evaluate and implement project delivery methods, including Design-Build and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), to accelerate delivery, manage costs, and improve construction outcomes.
• Bridge Inspection and Asset Management: Oversee bridge inspection, load rating, maintenance, and asset management programs. Translate inspection findings into prioritized maintenance and capital projects, establish performance measures, and reduce the backlog of deficient structures.
• Emergency Response: Direct engineering and operational responses to bridge strikes, structural failures, emergency closures, and other incidents requiring immediate assessment, stabilization, repair, or replacement.
• Contract and Consultant Management: Direct engineering consultants, construction contractors, and construction management teams. Oversee contract performance, quality assurance, project budgets, and schedules.
• Division Leadership: Manage division staff, operating and capital budgets, procurement activities, and coordination with other City agencies and state and federal partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience: Have ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, construction, or infrastructure project delivery, including five (5) years in a supervisory or management role.

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex bridge, structural, or transportation infrastructure projects, including management of design, construction, budgets, schedules, and consultant contracts.
• Experience managing federally funded transportation projects and coordinating with FHWA, MDOT SHA, or similar agencies.
• Knowledge of bridge engineering, structural inspection and maintenance, construction practices, and applicable federal and state standards.
• Knowledge of Complete Streets principles, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure design, and strategies for accommodating and prioritizing multimodal transportation on existing bridges through retrofits.
• Strong leadership, project management, financial management, and communication skills.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Financial Disclosure

This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.