Transportation Construction Inspector

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation seeks a Transportation Construction Inspector to review highway and bridge work across the PennDOT District 8-0 region. The role involves field reviews, testing, documentation, and coordination with contractors to ensure compliance with plans and standards.

You will work 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, travel to project field offices, and there is no telework option.

Qualifications

• Three years of highway or bridge surveying, design, construction, or inspection experience.
• Three years of quality control of materials or construction including reading blueprints/plans.
• One year as Engineering Technician or two years as Transportation Technician 1 or Construction Cost Technician 1; or equivalent.
• One year of construction inspection experience with an associate’s degree in civil/engineering-related field or equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Observe highway construction phases to confirm compliance with codes and specs.
• Check placement of concrete, bituminous mixes, drainage items, and other materials.
• Provide visual compaction testing for soils, aggregates, and subsurface layers.
• Prepare diaries, calculations, estimates, and reports to track progress.
• Assist in addressing field problems and noting changes to plans or activities.
• Communicate with staff, agencies, and the public to support project administration.

Skills

Highway inspection experience

Blueprint interpretation

Field testing

Education

Associate degree in civil engineering

Job description

Step into a role that helps keep major transportation projects moving safely and smoothly. As a Transportation Construction Inspector for the Department of Transportation, you will play an important part in reviewing construction work across the region. This job offers hands‑on experience and a chance to support quality work on roads and bridges. Join a team that helps build and maintain the routes people rely on every day.

This position supports the inspection of construction materials, workmanship, and project activities to ensure compliance with approved plans and standards. It involves field review, documentation, testing, and coordination with contractors and project staff. As a Transportation Construction Inspector, you will perform the following duties:

• Construction Inspection: Observe all phases of highway construction to confirm compliance with codes and specifications
• Material Review: Check placement of concrete, bituminous mixes, drainage items, and other required materials
• Field Testing: Provide visual compaction testing for soils, aggregates, and subsurface layers
• Project Documentation: Complete diaries, calculations, estimates, and reports to track project progress
• Issue Resolution: Assist in addressing field problems and noting changes to plans or construction activities
• Coordination Duties: Communicate with staff, agencies, and the public to support effective project administration

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full‑time employment
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• You will work closely with vendors and work hours may change based on vendor availability.
• This position is based in Dauphin County and requires travel to project field offices within PennDOT District 8-0, including Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, York, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry Counties.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of experience in highway or bridge surveying, design, construction, or inspection work; or
• Three years of experience in quality control of materials or building or construction industry experience, which includes reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, or schematics; or
• One year as an Engineering Technician (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Two years as a Transportation Technician or Construction Cost Technician 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of construction inspection experience, and an associate’s degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, surveying engineering technology, or a closely related engineering technology; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of an active non‑commercial Pennsylvania Class C Driver’s License or equivalent.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.