Transportation Bridge Safety Inspector 1

State of Connecticut - DOT Bureau Engineering & Construction; New Haven (CT); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DOT Bureau Engineering & Construction seeks a Transportation Bridge Safety Inspector 1 to join a bridge safety inspection team. You will perform field inspections, prepare accurate inspection reports, and assist with drawings using Bluebeam and Excel.

The role requires readiness for travel, outdoor work in all weather, and rigorous attention to detail. Training provided with growth opportunities within the division.

Qualifications

• Four (4) years of field construction inspection or bridge safety inspection experience.
• College training in engineering may substitute for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half year of experience to a maximum of four years for a Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Review bridge plans and previous inspection reports.
• Coordinate traffic control and equipment at inspection site.
• Assist in inspection of bridges for corrosion and deterioration in steel beams and girders.
• Assist in evaluation of coating condition.
• Make technical measurements to determine bridge cross-sectional area reduction.
• Assist in inspection of concrete beams and girders for spalling, diagonal cracking, and flexure cracking.
• Assist in inspection of abutments, piers, columns, and bents for tilt, settlement, or corrosion.
• Draft and prepare reports of bridge inspections, including inspection notes and sketches.
• Process digital photographs and other electronic documents.

Skills

Bridge inspection

Field inspection

Outdoor work

Communication

Read construction plans

Mathematical computations

Drafting drawings

Bluebeam/Adobe

Interpersonal skills

Education

AS degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Bluebeam

Adobe

Microsoft 365

Excel

Job description

Introduction

Are you a current Connecticut Department of Transportation employee looking to advance your career within the agency? Do you want to continue to help make commuting and traveling throughout CT safe? The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) invites its interested employees to apply for an exciting Transportation Bridge Safety Inspector 1 position in the Bridge Safety and Evaluation section of the Division of Bridges, in the Office of Engineering, Bureau of Engineering and Construction. This position may be located in New Haven, Norwich, Thomaston, or Wethersfield. The work location for this position may be determined based on the preference of the selected candidate in conjunction with the operational needs of the CTDOT.

Benefits

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
• Working for an award-winning agency! CTDOT has been recently awarded the Employer of the Year award by the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers (CSCE) and named the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) CT Employer of the Year for 2024!
• Ample free parking with easy access from major highways and by public transportation.

Hands-On Position Requires

• Outdoor work in all types of weather conditions;
• Work in water, in bucket trucks, on ladders, and in bridge inspection equipment at heights up to 75 feet or more;
• Work in confined spaces, such as culverts;
• Climbing, crawling, bending, and lifting;
• Walking on slopes and uneven terrain;
• Exposure to traffic and environmental hazards;
• Exposure to allergens, insects, vegetation, and wildlife;
• Experience marking up documents using Adobe or similar software;
• Eagerness to take direction, learn, and retain job training;
• Highly accurate written and verbal communication skills.

Position Highlights

• Monday - Friday
• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• First shift
• Location: This position may be located in New Haven, Norwich, Thomaston, or Wethersfield.
• Hybrid (in-office/field/telework) and alternate work schedules may be available.

The Role

We are seeking candidates who are interested in receiving on-the-job and classroom training to learn how to perform bridge inspections in accordance with established standards as part of a bridge safety inspection team. Bridge safety inspection teams are responsible for the technical inspection of bridges and other structures in accordance with specifications for the National Bridge Inventory and other manuals, policies, and procedures. In addition to field inspection work, this position is responsible for preparing neat and accurate engineering-related documents, such as drawings and inspection reports using Bluebeam and Excel.

Promotional Opportunity

After completion of two (2) years of successful and satisfactory performance as a Transportation Bridge Safety Inspector 1, an incumbent will be promoted by reclassification to Transportation Bridge Safety Inspector 2 without examination.

Application Details

In this important role, you must be available to travel both within and outside of normal working hours for bridge emergencies, inspections, site visits, training, meetings, etc. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained.

Please list your Driver’s license number, expiration date, and any other job-relevant licenses or certifications you hold in the Licenses and Professional Certifications section of your application.

Our Mission

As one of Connecticut’s largest State agencies, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) employs roughly 3,300 individuals across five bureaus. CTDOT is guided by its mission to improve lives through transportation. Our infrastructure and transit systems are essential to the safety and mobility of Connecticut residents, and our work strengthens both economic and community development. CTDOT is committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, and individuals with broad-ranging backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our mission, vision, and values!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

This employer may participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm work authorization.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In the Department of Transportation this class is accountable for performing as a member of a bridge safety inspection team, inspecting bridges and related structures in accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards promulgated by the United States Department of Transportation.

Examples of Duties

• Reviews bridge plans and previous inspection reports.
• Coordinates traffic control and equipment at inspection site.
• Assists in the inspection of bridges for corrosion and deterioration in steel beams and girders.
• Assists in the evaluation of coating condition.
• Makes technical measurements to determine bridge cross-sectional area reduction.
• Assists in the inspection of concrete beams and girders for spalling, diagonal cracking, and flexure (vertical) cracking.
• Assists in the inspection of abutments, piers, columns, and bents for evidence of tilt, settlement, or corrosion.
• Assists in the inspection of decks, trusses, bearing devices, and other bridge components for deterioration and/or corrosion.
• Assists in the inspection of waterways under bridges.
• Drafts and prepares reports of bridge inspections, including inspection notes and sketches.
• Processes digital photographs and other electronic documents.
• May operate special bridge inspection equipment and/or perform special bridge tests such as Dye Penetrant test and Magnetic Particle test.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Knowledge of bridge types, structural components, and functions.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Prepare neat and accurate drawings or sketches.
• Operate electronic or mechanical measuring devices and other tools and equipment.
• Read and interpret construction plans.
• Perform mathematical computations.
• Operate a camera and computer.

Minimum Qualifications – General Experience

Four (4) years of experience in field construction inspection, bridge maintenance work or bridge safety inspection.

Minimum Qualifications – Substitutions Allowed

• College training in engineering or engineering technology from a college or university accredited by or determined as substantially equivalent by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor’s degree.
• For state employees one (1) year of experience in bridge inspection at the level of a Transportation Technician may be substituted for the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working outdoors in all types of weather conditions, at heights, in and over water, and across slopes and uneven terrain.
• Possession of an Associate of Science (AS) degree or coursework in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience with performing mathematical computations.
• Experience using computers, including Microsoft 365 and collaboration software, such as Bluebeam or Adobe.
• Experience preparing accurate engineering-related documents, such as drawings and inspection reports.
• Experience utilizing interpersonal skills to perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Experience conveying information effectively through verbal and written communication to teammates and internal and external stakeholders.

Special Requirements

• Permanent assignment to this class is contingent upon successful completion of an FHWA (Federal Highway Administration)-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course given within one (1) year of appointment.
• The appointing authority may require possession of an appropriate current Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator's license at time of appointment and during employment in this class.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Physical Requirements

In addition to good health, candidates appointed to positions in this class must have and retain sufficient strength, stamina, agility, and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all the duties of the class.

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to considerable danger of injury or physical harm due to falls, traffic, and hazardous fumes and may be exposed to a moderate degree of discomfort from weather conditions.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.