Senior Construction Specialist

Oregon Department of Human Services; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 71,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation seeks a Senior Construction Specialist to support the Delivery & Operations Division—Region 1 Construction in Portland. You will lead field inspections, assist in contract administration, and ensure projects meet plans, specs, and safety standards while protecting public funds.

The role emphasizes coordinating inspection teams, reviewing contractor performance, and resolving construction issues to deliver high-quality, multimodal transportation projects for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering and one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods.
• Or completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods.
• Driving is an essential function; valid U.S. driver license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate field inspection activities on complex highway construction projects.
• Review contract work for compliance with plans and specifications and accept or reject work on the basis of established standards.
• Monitor activities of consultant inspectors and contractor progress on projects.

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

FE exam

Job description

Job Details

Initial Posting Date: 09/29/2026

Application Deadline: 10/20/2026

Agency: Department of Transportation

Salary Range: $6,396 - $9,916

Position Type: Employee Position

Title: Senior Construction Specialist

Job Description: Associate in Engineering 2 – Senior Construction Specialist Oregon Department of Transportation Delivery & Operations Division – Region 1 Construction Portland

The role: The Senior Construction Specialist supports ODOT's mission by ensuring that we are building a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system. In this position, you will play a key role in ensuring that projects are built with high quality and that public funds are used appropriately by assisting the resident engineer in administration of construction contracts in accordance with relevant standards and proactively resolving construction issues.

A day in the life

• Lead and coordinate field inspection activities on complex highway construction projects.
• Review contract work for compliance with plans and specifications and accept or reject work on the basis of established standards.
• Monitor activities of consultant inspectors and contractor progress on projects.
• Assign inspection work and adjust assignments to meet contractor schedules and staffing levels.
• Review and analyze contractor claims, time extension requests, and Contract Change Orders (CCO's).
• Establish and maintain responsible relations with the contractor, the public, local agencies and project personnel.
• Direct and review the work of assigned staff throughout the duration of a project.
• Provide a safe work area for workers and the traveling public through reviewing and monitoring contractor operations.
• Participate as a project development team member in the development of contract plans and specifications.
• Train personnel in construction methods, inspection, materials testing, contract documentation and administration.

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

• A bachelor's degree in the field of engineering appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of the position AND one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods;
• OR Completion of and passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam AND one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods.

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

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

Experience

• Experience in construction inspection and contract administration - Highway preferred.
• Experience interpreting construction plans and specifications.
• Experience applying knowledge of mathematics, survey principals, engineering and construction practices and procedures.

Additional information

This recruitment will remain open until filled.

We do not offer visa sponsorship.

We do not have an E-Verify program. 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).

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.

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 Aff…[truncated for brevity] 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.

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 or employment practices.

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”