Lead Inspector (TE3)

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in Seattle seeks a Transportation Engineer to serve as Lead Inspector for the SR 520 Corridor Design-Build Office. You will oversee Quality Verification inspections and project oversight to ensure compliance with contract requirements.

As WSDOT's representative, you will collaborate with Design-Builder QA/QC staff, monitor the Quality Management program, and support successful project delivery while upholding safety and performance standards

Qualifications

• Civil engineering knowledge and principles applied to transportation projects.
• Strong understanding of contract compliance, traffic management, and safety.
• Experience managing scope, time, and resources for design-build projects.
• Excellent written and spoken communication with contractors and agencies.
• Ability to lead diverse teams, mentor staff, and resolve issues with limited oversight.
• Sound judgment to interpret complex plans and ensure compliance.
• Experience reading and interpreting contract plans, specs, and estimates.
• Familiarity with QA/QC processes and audits in design-build contexts.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, SharePoint, Acrobat, and Outlook.
• Demonstrates growth mindset and service-oriented attitude.

Responsibilities

• Perform Quality Verification inspections as a lead inspector for the SR 520 Corridor Design-Build Office.
• Interpret complex civil, structural, electrical, and mechanical plans.
• Review and inspect on-site conditions to verify compliance.
• Identify issues and propose resolutions for nonconformances.
• Schedule and conduct inspections to confirm project quality and contract compliance.
• Coordinate with contractor, WSDOT staff, external agencies, and the public to stay on schedule.
• Supervise implementation of Quality Audit Plans in the project.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Construction Principles

Project Management

Communication

Leadership

Engineering Judgment

Contract Interpretation

Auditing

Software Fluency

Growth Mindset

Service-Oriented

Tools

Word

Excel

SharePoint

Adobe Acrobat

Outlook

Job description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a skilled Transportation Engineer to serve as the Lead Inspector in Seattle, WA, supporting the SR 520 Corridor Design-Build Office. In this leadership role, you will oversee State Quality Verification inspections and project oversight activities to help ensure construction work meets or exceeds contract requirements. Working within WSDOT's Quality Organization, you will play a key role in monitoring the Design-Builder's implementation of an effective Quality Management program, helping uphold the high standards of quality, safety, and performance expected on this important transportation project.

As WSDOT's representative, you will work closely with the Design-Builder's Quality Control and Quality Assurance staff to verify compliance, address quality concerns, and support successful project delivery. This is an opportunity to apply your engineering expertise, leadership, and attention to detail to protect the integrity of construction work and advance WSDOT's mission of providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation for the traveling public.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Lead Inspector will:

• Perform Quality Verification (QV) inspection for the WSDOT SR 520 Corridor Design-Build Office as a lead inspector.
• Interpret complex structural, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering plans
• Review and inspect on-site conditions.
• Anticipate problems and make recommendations for resolution of nonconformance issues.
• Perform inspections according to the Design-Builder schedule in order to confirm overall project quality and contract compliance.
• Coordinate with the contractor, WSDOT staff, external agencies, and the public as needed for the project to stay on schedule. Inform supervisor of project status and any change
• Supervise implementation of Design-Build Quality Audit Plans.
• Determine appropriate elements of the Project to be included in Quality Audit Plans and Quality Verification Audits Plan. schedule. direct. and monitor all inspection and testing activities of direct reports.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Civil Engineering Knowledge and Principles: Ability to apply civil engineering practices, experience and technical knowledge to assigned transportation-related projects.
• Construction Principles: Strong understanding of practices used in construction of transportation projects including a basic understanding of contract compliance, traffic management, environmental requirements, and work zone safety.
• Project Management Practices: Experience managing scope, time, and resources to meet program objectives and delivery of design-build projects.
• Communication Proficiency: Ability to write professional, tactful, and concise technical and administrative correspondence, both verbal and in written, with contractors, local agencies, resource agencies, and private citizens.
• Supervisory and Leadership Skills: Ability to independently lead and support a diverse team of engineers through employee development, identifying training needs, mentoring staff, constructively evaluating performance, and resolving issues with limited oversight.
• Sound Engineering Judgment: Draws on experience and technical knowledge to interpret, analyze, and explain complex structural/civil engineering plans to ensure compliance and recommend engineering solutions.
• Contract Interpretation and Analysis: Experience reading, interpreting, and producing contract plans, specifications, and estimates in accordance with project requirements and standards.
• Compliance and Auditing: Experience preparing Quality Verification audits on work that has been inspected and Design-Builder Quality Control and Quality Assurance processes.
• Technology and Software Fluency: Experience using basic computer applications including Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Outlook.
• Growth Mindset:Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

The following qualifications are also required:

• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and work elevated heights, above 50 feet over land or water.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Project Documentation Software: Experience using contract management programs to track, document, and review project documentation.
• Risk Identification and Issue Resolution: Ability to identify and examine issues and conflict between the owner and the contractor and find fair and reasonable resolutions.
• Design-Build Experience:Demonstrates understanding of WSDOT design-build procedures and applies project technical requirements while performing project oversight and communicating with contractor personnel.
• Technical Review: Demonstrates ability to conduct quality review and verification of technical plans, specifications, construction documentation, and materials.
• Familiarity with Standards: WSDOT, Seattle DOT, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance - We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave - In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees mayearn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance - Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future - WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have a choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference Lead Inspector (TE3) #80177 in the subject line.