Sign Bridge Assistant Inspector (BE3) In-Training

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Sign Bridge Assistant Inspector to support the preservation, safety, and reliability of bridges and related structures across the state highway system. This position will perform sign bridge inspections and assist with federally mandated bridge inspections in accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), helping ensure critical transportation infrastructure remains safe and serviceable for the traveling public. The successful candidates will conduct inspections in challenging environments such as at heights exceeding 100 feet, within confined spaces, over waterways, on uneven terrain, and in varying weather conditions. This role may also utilize technical rope access methods to inspect bridges and structures. Top candidates will possess technical inspection expertise, a commitment to safety, adaptability in demanding field environments, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. This position, at times, performs works at heights exceeding 100’, inside confined space environments, over waterways, outdoors with exposure to inclement weather and frequently traverse uneven terrain. In addition, this position may perform inspection of bridges and structures using technical rope access (technical climbing techniques).

Requirements

Infrastructure Inspection Fundamentals: Demonstrates foundational knowledge of bridge, sign structure, or transportation infrastructure inspection principles and safety practices.
Inspection Procedures and Standards: Ability to learn, interpret, and apply inspection procedures, technical standards, and reporting requirements.
Bridge and Structural Inspection Leadership: Experience conducting bridge, sign structure, and high mast luminaire inspections in accordance with FHWA, NBIS, and WSDOT standards and procedures.
Structural Assessment and Technical Analysis: Experience evaluating structural conditions and determining repair priorities, follow-up actions, and operational recommendations based on inspection findings.
Program Coordination: Experience coordinating inspection schedules, resources, equipment, traffic control needs, and inspection team activities.
Advanced Inspection Techniques: Skills to apply judgment in complex inspection environments involving specialized access equipment, nondestructive testing methods, and emergency response situations.
Technical Leadership and Guidance: Experience providing guidance, instruction, and technical support to inspection staff, maintenance crews, and agency partners.
Documentation and Records Management: Skill in maintaining inspection records, inventories, repair tracking systems, and technical documentation supporting inspection programs.
Decision Making and Safety: Ability to exercise independent judgment during field operations to support public safety, worker safety, and infrastructure reliability.
Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others. Contributes to a safe, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment.
Equipment and Technology Operation: Skills in operating tools, equipment, vehicles, and technology used to support bridge and structural inspection activities.
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with team members, maintenance personnel, and supervisors in both field and office environments.
A valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
Ability to obtain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
Ability to travel frequently in-state with overnight stays.
Ability to work in confined-space environments, near and above freeway traffic, at heights, and over waterways.
Ability to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and technology used in bridge or structural inspection activities.
Ability to operate a UBIT at heights greater than 100 feet.
Ability to operate a work skiff for performing under bridge inspections from the water.
Ability to climb and descend steep and uneven, brush covered slopes while carrying up to 50 pounds of equipment.
Ability to complete Bridge Condition Inspection Training.

Nice To Haves

Transportation Infrastructure: Knowledge of bridge inspection practices, maintenance operations, or transportation infrastructure systems.
Inspection and Assessment Training: Completion of bridge inspection, structural assessment, or related technical training.
Nondestructive Testing: Knowledge of nondestructive testing methods, including ultrasonic, magnetic particle, or dye penetrant testing.
Inspection Access Equipment: Skill in operating inspection access equipment such as UBITs, bucket trucks, boats, personnel lifts, or similar equipment.
Inspection Technology: Experience using engineering software, inspection databases, digital reporting systems, or related technology tools.

Responsibilities

Complete in-service structural condition inspections of all types of sign bridge structures and lead structural condition inspections of high mast luminaires.
Operate equipment necessary to complete inspections such as Under-Bridge Inspection Trucks (UBIT), boats, man lifts, handheld power equipment, hand tools and fall protection equipment.
Operate computers and computer accessories; utilize a variety of engineering and survey software applications for defect diagnosis and reporting.
Perform non-destructive ultrasonic, magnetic particle and dye penetrant tests.
Complete inspection reports in conformance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and WSDOT requirements and procedures.
Prepare and update the sign bridge repair list and prioritize regional repair needs; maintain a monthly inspection schedule.
Lead or assist in preliminary work prior to an inspection trip to ensure inspection team readiness.
Serve as assistant to statewide authority on Sign Bridge and High Mast Luminaire structures.
Maintain and update the inventory of all sign bridges statewide.
Perform sign bridge inspection training given to engineers and technicians; perform maintenance and troubleshooting of inspection bucket truck.