Construction Inspector

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 56,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation in White City is seeking an Engineering Specialist 2 - Construction Inspector to ensure safety, quality, and compliance on transportation projects. You will inspect materials, document contractor activities, and support data-driven decisions on-site and in planning phases.

The role emphasizes field work (70%), rigorous standards, and potential shifts including overtime and night work.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in engineering construction inspection, surveying, materials inspection and/or testing.
• An associate degree in engineering and one year of engineering technician experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering (civil or transportation-related).
• An equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Responsibilities

• Interpret contract plans and specs for roadway and bridge construction to ensure safety and compliance.
• Inspect and document contractor work to verify adherence to project requirements and quality standards.
• Evaluate materials and equipment to confirm compliance with specifications.
• Monitor construction activities to ensure proper methods, quantities and testing requirements.
• Coordinate with city/county officials to align work with local regulations and project specs.
• Enforce environmental, erosion control, and in-stream work requirements while following provisions.
• Work in the field 70% of the time; may involve rough terrain, weather, and elevation up to 50 feet.
• Overtime/night/weekend shifts and up to 50-pound lifting may be required.

Skills

Construction inspection

Surveying

Materials testing

Education

Associate degree in engineering (civil or transportation-related) and one year of engineering technician experience

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (civil or transportation-related)

Equivalent combination of experience, education and training

Job description

Engineering Specialist 2 - Construction Inspector

Oregon Department of Transportation

Delivery and Operations Division – Region 3

Rogue Valley Construction Office

White City

The Role

Join our team as a construction inspector and play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality transportation projects. In this position, you will inspect construction materials for quantity, quality and compliance with contract specifications, ensuring work meets established standards. You will document contractor activities, organize and review inspection data, and support project teams with accurate and timely information. This role offers the opportunity to be involved in both project planning and on-site inspection, contributing to successful project delivery. Above all, you will help prioritize safety for construction crews and the traveling public while ensuring accountability across all phases of construction.

Initial Posting Date

09/21/2026

Application Deadline

10/13/2026

Agency

Department of Transportation

Salary Range

$5,008 - $7,770

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Construction Inspector

Job Description

Engineering Specialist 2 - Construction Inspector Oregon Department of Transportation Delivery and Operations Division – Region 3 Rogue Valley Construction Office White City The Role Join our team as a construction inspector and play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality transportation projects. In this position, you will inspect construction materials for quantity, quality and compliance with contract specifications, ensuring work meets established standards. You will document contractor activities, organize and review inspection data, and support project teams with accurate and timely information. This role offers the opportunity to be involved in both project planning and on-site inspection, contributing to successful project delivery. Above all, you will help prioritize safety for construction crews and the traveling public while ensuring accountability across all phases of construction. We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

A Day In The Life

• Interpret contract plans and specifications for roadway and bridge construction to ensure traffic control safety and contractor compliance.
• Inspect and document contractor work to verify adherence to project requirements and quality standards.
• Evaluate materials and equipment, including pipe, guardrail, concrete, and paving machinery, to confirm compliance with specifications.
• Monitor construction activities such as rock placement, grading, and paving to ensure proper methods, quantities, and testing requirements are met.
• Coordinate with city and county officials to ensure contract work aligns with local regulations and project specifications.
• Calculate quantities and reviews field data to validate excavation measurements and contractor-reported progress.
• Enforce environmental, erosion control, and in-stream work requirements while maintaining compliance with project plans and special provisions.
• Work is performed in the field 70% of the time and may require moving around rough terrain, working in all weather conditions, working near heavy traffic and construction equipment, working at heights up to 50 feet and working over large bodies of water.
• May require working overtime, night and weekend shifts, lifting up to 50 pounds and overnight travel.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

What’s In It For You

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience in the field of engineering in construction inspection, surveying, materials inspection and/or testing;
• OR
• An associate degree in the field of engineering (civil or transportation-related) and one year of engineering technician experience;
• OR
• A bachelor’s degree in the field of engineering (civil or transportation-related);
• OR
• An equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

Note: Related experience, education, and training can include, but is not limited to chemistry, construction management, biology, geology, mathematics and/or physics.

Special Qualifications

Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid U.S. driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

What We’d Like To See

• Experience inspecting public works construction projects.
• Experience applying mathematics, surveying principles, engineering and construction practices and procedures.

Need help?

• For questions, call 503-930-6376 or email [e-mail].

Additional Information

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, not including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
• You will be represented by the Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon (AEE).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affluent Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Construction Inspector, Construction Inspection, Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Roadway Construction, Public Works, Materials Testing, Surveying, Quality Assurance, Field Inspection