ENGINEERING TECH I - ASSISTANT BRIDGE INSPECTION TECHNICIAN - IPR#46471

Job Responsibilities

This position serves as a member of the technical team which makes detailed inspections of bridges throughout the state to fulfill the requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards and documents deficiencies found to support load ratings and emergency repairs. 

Continual in-depth inspections: 60 major bridge structures

Detailed bridge inspections and reports: 8 - 12 annually 

This position reports to the Bridge Inspection Group Technician. There are no subordinates reporting to this position.  

The incumbent operates in an environment responsible for the inspection of major bridge structures throughout the state and the care and maintenance of precision instruments and equipment.  S/He must be able to operate all the equipment and assist in its care and maintenance.  The incumbent must be able to recognize and help establish the necessary traffic control in accordance with departmental standards to protect both motorists and the team and to minimize interference with highway traffic.  S/He must have appreciable knowledge of bridge nomenclature and the ability to recognize structural problems in a variety of bridge types and must report serious deficiencies immediately.  This position works in an adverse environment of weather, debris, traffic conditions, and heights.   

Both the greatest challenge and typical problems of the job lie in the search for and detection of problems that affect the structures and in trying to determine the reasons for those problems.  These bridges represent a massive investment of public funds.  Proper inspection is required to preserve this investment, to prevent structural failures, and to increase the level of public safety. 

The incumbent personally participates in the detailed inspection of major bridge structures throughout the state.  S/He may operate surveying instruments, surveying rods, and serve as inspector or note keeper. Responsibilities include sounding underwater areas around river piers and obtaining river bottom profiles and elevations with electronic depth sounding equipment; making observations of all bridge components and keeping notes, taking photographs, and making sketches as needed to record the required information; and being aware of problems associated with welded bridges and being capable of testing for flaws and cracks associated with welds.  

(Job Responsibilities continued)

The incumbent operates under direct supervision and is guided and constrained by department policies and procedures and by the rules and procedures of the National Bridge Inspection Standards. 

The incumbent has internal contact with the Bureau of Bridges and Structures staff.  Externally, the incumbent has contacts with local public agencies, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), district Bureau of Operations, the Coast Guard, and the public.  This position requires continual travel and a person who has the ability to perform strenuous physical activities in an outdoor environment and who is able to safely work at great heights and in confined spaces.  Access to many of the components of large bridges is very difficult and at considerable height above ground or water.  Statewide travel with overnight stays more than 60 percent of the year is required. 

The effectiveness of this position can be measured by the accuracy of work performed, the quality, and quantity of the inspection reports.  Effective performance in this position also requires full cooperation with other team members and a willingness to work in an adverse environment of weather, debris, traffic conditions, and heights. 

Principal Accountabilities

1.    Assists in performing technical duties including instrument operation, precise measurements, and recording of observations in conjunction with detailed inspections of major bridge structures statewide.
2.    Performs visual inspections of bridges to seek out damaged or deteriorated components, records and photographs problems detected, and assists in making recommendations for repair or structural analysis.
3.    Assists in preparing bridge inspection reports under the direction of the Bridge Inspection Group Technician.
4.    Operates and maintains a variety of expensive and sophisticated equipment used by the team.
5.    Reviews traffic protection established by district team sections in accordance with department standards.
6.    Assists in performing calculations in conjunction with the inspections and reports and in performing field calculations to ensure accuracy before inspections are finished.
7.    Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.  Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
8.    Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

•    Education/Experience:

• Completion of two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre-engineering, or a job-related technical/science curriculum; OR
• Two years of engineering experience

•    Ability to work in confined spaces and at extreme heights over land and water
•    Valid driver’s license
•    Statewide travel with overnight stays more than 60 percent of the year

Position Desirables

•    Experience in bridge inspection
•    Working knowledge of mathematics to include trigonometry and the ability to perform necessary technical calculations in conjunction with inspections and reports
•    Strong oral and written communication skills
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Microstation