Underwater Bridge Inspector I, II, or III

Txdot; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The TxDOT Bridge Division is seeking Underwater Bridge Inspectors I, II, or III for inspections of Texas' extensive bridge network. Candidates will conduct underwater inspections, support engineering and construction programs, and work in a team environment focusing on safety and quality. Positions require relevant experience and certifications.

Benefits

Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Schedules

Paid Leave and Holidays

Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees

Tuition Assistance Program

Career Development Opportunities

Holistic Wellness Program

Family-Friendly Programs

Qualifications

• Experience in underwater inspection and bridge engineering.
• Knowledge of National Bridge Inspection Standards.
• Must possess valid driver’s license and relevant certifications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct underwater inspections on bridges statewide.
• Plan and coordinate dive operations.
• Document findings and issue inspection reports.

Skills

Underwater Inspection

Bridge Engineering Principles

Risk Assessment

Education

High School Graduate or Equivalent

Job description

Job Description - Underwater Bridge Inspector I, II, or III - Bridge Division (2501656)

Job Description

Underwater Bridge Inspector I, II, or III - Bridge Division - ( 2501656 )

Position Information

TxDOT's Bridge Division is looking to hire an Underwater Bridge Inspector I, II, or III based in Austin, TX. In the Bridge Division – Inspection Branch, we work together to inspect in-service bridges for distress and construction defects according to the National Bridge Inspection Standards and TxDOT specific requirements. You will have the opportunity to dive many different types of bridges in support of TxDOT’s in-house bridge engineering, construction, and maintenance programs.Using your skills and new innovations and technology, you will help TxDOT’s 25 districts and the state of Texas create a stronger, more resilient transportation network.

Texas’ inventory of over 57,000 bridges is 28,000 more than any other state, and more than the combined inventories of 17 states. For more information on the Texas Bridge Program, go to https://www.txdot.gov/government/reports/texas-bridges.html .

If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce of over 12,000 employees statewide and you have the technical and leadership skills to help lead the largest bridge program in the country, let’s talk!

This posting is for one or more Underwater Bridge Inspector I, II, or III positions depending on business need and the applicant’s qualifications.

The work location is 6230 East Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78744.

• Underwater Bridge Inspector I: B21 $54,278.00 - $87,046.00 yearly

• Underwater Bridge Inspector II: B22 $57,614.00 - $ 93,138.00 yearly

• Underwater Bridge Inspector III: B24 $65,104.00 - $ 106,634.00 yearly

Minimum Salary

: 54,278.00

Maximum Salary

: 106,634.00

Pay Basis

: Yearly FLSA Status : Nonexempt

Work Locations

: Stassney Hq - Main 6230 East Stassney Lane Austin 78744

Travel

: Yes, 50 % of the Time Shift : Day Job Shift Details : 40 Location Flexibility : Onsite

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Under a licensed Professional Engineer, conducts underwater bridge inspections according to the National Bridge Inspection Standards, including substructures and foundations, across the state of Texas.Issues reports containing observations and recommendationsaccording toFHWA’sBridgeInspector’sReferenceManual.Employeesatthislevelfollowstandardpractices that do not require frequent supervision of details.

UnderalicensedProfessionalEngineer,plans,coordinates,and/orconductsunderwaterbridgeinspectionsaccording to the National Bridge Inspection Standards, including substructures and foundations, across the state of Texas. Issues reports containingobservationsandrecommendationsaccording toFHWA’sBridgeInspector’sReferenceManual.Mayserveasaproject lead. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments however all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

UnderalicensedProfessionalEngineer,oversees,coordinates,and/orconductsunderwaterbridgeinspectionsaccording to the National Bridge Inspection Standards, including substructures and foundations, across the state of Texas.Evaluates reports containingobservationsandrecommendationstoensurecompliancewithFHWA’sBridgeInspector’sReferenceManual.Mayserveasa lead worker or project lead.Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments however all unusualissues are referred to the supervisor.

• Participatesindiveoperationspreparationbyreviewingpreviousinspectionreportsandfiles,identifiesrisksand required safety measures, and plans actions to respond to bridge emergencies.
• Inspects underwater bridge components, including responding to bridge emergencies.
• Uses equipment to clean marine and aquatic material from underwater bridge components.
• Measures bridge scour.
• Documents findings and writes inspection reports including recording data, drawings, and sketches.
• Identifies deficiencies and issues recommendations for maintenance actions according to TxDOT’s bridge inspection manuals and standard operating procedures.
• Cleans and sanitizes the dive station and all equipment.
• Maintains specialized dive equipment and dive locker workspace, including ordering supplies.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned such as, but not limited to, towing boat trailers and operating dive boats.

Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Plansand/orcoordinatesdiveoperationsbyreviewingpreviousinspectionreportsandfiles, identifiesrisksand required safety measures, and plans actions to respond to bridge emergencies.
• May serve as a project lead by managing interim projects, distributes project-related work assignments, and evaluates project team members for the duration of the project.
• May supervise dive operations including directing dive team members in navigating hazardous conditions and recognizing and treating divers in distress.

Performs all of the above duties plus:

• Overseesandcoordinatesdiveoperationsbyreviewingpreviousinspectionreportsandfiles , identifiesrisks and requiredsafetymeasures,advisesteammembersofdiving-relatedhazardsspecifictoplanneddiveoperationlocation,develops Emergency Action Plans, and executes responses to bridge emergencies.
• Coordinatesbridgeinspectionschedulesbyconductingsitesurveys and contactinggovernmententitiessuchastheU.S. Coast Guard for navigation updates.
• May serve as a lead worker by serving as a resource for complex questions, presenting workflow and operational updates to the supervisor/manager, providing input on team members’ career conversations, and approving leave requests to ensure operations coverage.
• Serves as a project lead by managing interim projects, distributes project-related work assignments, and evaluates project team members for the duration of the project.
• Supervises dive operations including directing the dive team in navigating hazardous conditions and recognizing and treating divers in distress.
• Evaluates the maintenance of specialized dive equipment and dive locker workspace.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general education

Experience:

• 1YEARinbridge,construction,underwaterinspection,engineeringsupport,maintenance,orrelatedexperience.
• 3YEARSinbridge,construction,underwaterinspection,engineeringsupport,maintenance,orrelatedexperience.
• 5YEARSofunderwaterbridgeinspectionexperienceand meets requirements of NBIS Team Leader.(Experiencecanbesatisfiedbyfull-timeorproratedpart-time equivalent)
• INCLUDINGthreeyearsofconductingunderwaterbridgeinspectionsandmeetsrequirementsof NBIS Team Leader

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license at the time of application. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
• Military/ADCI Comm Diving Cert
• Safety Impact Certificate

Some knowledge of:

• Bridge engineering principles, practices and methods and the application of engineering theory
• Materials used in highway/bridge construction and maintenance
• Regulations related to safety inspection
• Safety Impact Certificate
• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry and geometry
• Using computer applications to generate reports and sketches
• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade

Ability to:

• Identify operational, environmental, and diving-related hazards

Considerable knowledge of all of the above including :

• Federal laws regulating construction and inspection
• Diving physics and
• proficiency in skills mentioned above

Ability to:

• Recognize and treat divers in distress
• Identify operational, environmental, and diving-related hazards

Extensive Knowledge of all of the above including expert skill in:

• Performing calculations using algebra, trigonometry and geometry
• Using computer applications to generate reports and sketches
• Using applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade and

Ability to:

• Recognize and treat divers in distress
• Identify operational, environmental, and diving-related hazards

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Required to wear protective gear-respirator, hard hat, or other device
• Works frequently in confined spaces
• Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Pushing-using upper extremities to press against object with force to move in a direction
• Pulling-using upper extremities to exert force moving objects in a sustained motion
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing-perceive sound at normal speaking levels;receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity-using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts
• Visual Acuity-operate machines, such as drill presses, power saws, and mills
• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass dive physical and be approved to perform dive operations.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Must (1) have successfully completed a comprehensive training course based on FHWA’s Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual (FHWA-NHI-Course No. 130055 – Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, or an equivalent recognized by the FHWA) within (1) year of hire, and (2) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.
• This position may be eligible for Hazardous Duty Pay as authorized by the General Appropriations Act.

Job

Schedule

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

Employee Status

: Regular

Job Type

Job Type

: Standard

Job Level

Job Level

: Non-Management

Job Posting

Unposting Date

Job Posting

: Jun 16, 2025, 10:55:14 AM

Unposting Date

: Ongoing

State Job Title/s : Engineering Specialist IV, V, IV State Job Code/s : 2130, 2131, 2132

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.