Engineer I - III (Assistant Region Bridge Engineer)

State of South Dakota; Aberdeen (SD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Assistant Region Bridge Engineer to join their team. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to work on the inspection and maintenance of state-owned bridges, ensuring safety and structural integrity. The ideal candidate will possess a growth mindset, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively. With a competitive salary and generous benefits, including a hiring incentive, this position promises a rewarding career path in a supportive environment. Join a team that values innovation and teamwork while making a significant impact on the community.

Benefits

Hiring Incentive

Health Insurance

Well-being Program

Employee Assistance Program

Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account

Paid Leave

Paid Family Leave

Military Leave

Paid Holidays

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• Must pass the FE exam and complete bridge inspection training.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and maintain state-owned bridges and culverts.
• Perform project design work and report structure conditions.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Management Skills

Microsoft Office Proficiency

Drone Operation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Bridge Inspection Equipment

Aerial Devices

Job description

Join to apply for the Engineer I - III (Assistant Region Bridge Engineer) role at State of South Dakota

*** $10,000 Hiring Incentive! ***

Current Department of Transportation Employees and Those from Other State Agencies Do Not Qualify

Former Department of Transportation Employees Must Have a Minimum of 1-Year Break in Employment to be Eligible for the Hiring Incentive

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 31251

Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations

Location: Aberdeen

Salary: $31.66 - $43.79 per hour, depending on experience

Pay Grade: E1 - E3

Closing Date: 05/14/2025

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/ .

Introduction

Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as an Assistant Region Bridge Engineer!

Job Description

The incumbent will be responsible for performing inspection and maintenance of state-owned bridges and structural length box culverts. Duties may include, but not be limited to, hands-on inspection of bridges, determining and reporting structure data and condition ratings, identifying bridge repair and maintenance needs, performing bridge related project design work, and the inspection of newly built structures prior to final acceptance. There may be times when assistance of the maintenance crew is required.

From approximately April 15 to October 15, the anticipated work schedule for this position is 10-hour days, 4 days per week from Monday through Thursday each week. Hours may vary due to travel, meetings, inspections, and workload. Travel throughout the Aberdeen Region will be required frequently. Occasional in-state travel with overnight stays may be required.

From approximately October 15 - April 15, the anticipated work schedule for this position is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work may be required, including working weekend hours and during holidays for emergencies such as flooding and/or damage to structures due to impact hits.

Jobs duties will require a mix of office work and field work for inspection. In the field the employee will be exposed to high-speed traffic and working at heights and over water while operating an elevated aerial device in all types of weather. Expect some exposure to animals, reptiles, and insects.

Be able to hear and talk to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, color vision, distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and the ability to focus.

What You Bring To The SDDOT

• Growth mindset
• Vision and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude
• Confident, action-oriented personality
• Attention to detail and a passion for organization
• Commitment to fostering high ethical standards

What The SDDOT Offers

• Hiring incentive
• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

Knowledge Of

• civil engineering principles of structural design, construction, and maintenance methods and practices;
• different structure types, construction materials, and methods;
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD);
• State and Federal laws and regulations governing the national bridge inspection (NBI) program.

Skills To

• communicate, organize, and management skills;
• effectively use Microsoft Office products and relevant software packages;
• safely operate equipment needed for inspection;
• pilot drone for inspection and survey.

Ability To

• apply several engineering disciplines: hydraulics, geology, chemistry, structures, environmental, materials, and road design;
• read and understand plans and shop drawings;
• understand different structure types, construction materials, and methods;
• effectively plan, organize, and prioritize work activities to meet schedules and deadlines;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• make appropriate decisions by applying standards and available information to specific situations;
• communicate information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
• develop ideas in a logical sequence;
• listen attentively to others;
• analyze problems and recommend solutions;
• understand and achieve department objectives;
• work and communicate with others in a team environment;
• walk long distances over many kinds of terrain including, but not limited to, waterways, rip rap, steep slopes, etc.
• walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time;
• routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl through tight box culverts, wade through water and/or muck.

Position Requirements

A bachelor's degree in engineering and successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

The incumbent will be required to become an NBI Team Leader. Minimum qualifications to become a certified Team Leader, for the purposes of this position, include a bachelor's degree in engineering, passing the FE exam, two years of NBIS bridge inspection experience, and successful completion of an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.

Minimum qualifications to become a certified Team Leader, for the purposes of this position, include a bachelor's degree in engineering, passing the FE exam, two years of NBIS bridge inspection experience, and successful completion of an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course. They will also need to take the NSTM course to qualify as a team leader for any NSTM inspections.

Required Training

Comprehensive bridge inspection training, which must include topics of importance to bridge inspection; bridge mechanics and terminology; personal and public safety issues associated with bridge inspections; properties and deficiencies of concrete, steel, timber, and masonry inspection equipment needs for various types of bridges and site conditions, inspection procedures, evaluations, documentation, data collection, and critical findings for bridge decks, superstructures, substructures, culverts, waterways (including underwater members), joints, bearings, drainage systems, lighting, signs, and traffic safety features; nondestructive evaluation techniques; load path redundancy and fatigue concepts; and practical applications of the concepts listed in this paragraph.

NSTM inspection training, which must include topics on the identification of NSTMs and related problematic structural details; the recognition of areas most susceptible to fatigue and fracture the evaluation and recording of defects on NSTMs; and the application of nondestructive evaluation techniques.

Obtaining a Part 107 small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercial pilot's license without restrictions within first two years of hire date to retain employment.

Further certification areas will be determined by the supervisor according to job responsibility and needs. Required certifications must be maintained for continued employment. Classes and training in the certification areas are provided through the Department of Transportation.

Compensation

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Assistant Region Bridge Engineer is approximately $88,469.00 annually.

Join the South Dakota Department of Transportation! View more about this opportunity here: https://youtu.be/WdCQix5wB8A .

Additional Requirements: Resume, Transcripts upon request, and FE exam successful completion.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1J9

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"