Bridge Engineer Inspection Specialist

CIVIL ENGINEER IV - BRIDGE ENGINEER INSPECTION SPECIALIST - IPR#47447

Agency: Department of Transportation

Closing Date/Time: 07/11/2024

Salary: $6,098 - $9,507 MONTHLY

Anticipated Salary Range: $6,098 - $7,598 MONTHLY

Job Type: Salaried

County: LaSalle

Number of Vacancies: 1

Plan/BU: NR916 Teamsters

* This position is covered by the Revolving Door Prohibition policy.

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Agency Mission Statement:

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire a Bridge Engineer Inspection Specialist.

The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois.

Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.

The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:

* Monday-Friday work schedule * Flexible work schedules in several program areas (flexible time, hybrid scheduling). * Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance * Pension Plan * (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave * Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare) * Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually. * New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually. * Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually. * (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date) * Tuition Reimbursement * Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

Job Responsibilities

This position is responsible for detailed inspection of bridges and structures throughout the district to fulfill the requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards, Bureau of Bridges and Structures Bridge Element Inspections Standards, those of the District and State Maintenance policies; management of the District's Bridge Inspection Specialist team; preparation of necessary reports and forms and input of required data into various computer database programs.

This position reports to the district Bridge Maintenance Engineer. Reporting to this position are the Bridge Technician Inspection Specialist, other Maintenance Bridge Inspection Technician(s) and Maintenance Highway Maintainer(s) on loan from other bridge crews or team sections as required by operational needs. The duties of this position are complex due to the large number and variety of bridges and structures involved.

Access to critical areas of many structures is poor, making adequate inspection very difficult. The incumbent's analysis and recommendations have appreciable impacts on the safety of motorists, preservation of structures, and plans and procedures for temporary or permanent repair. The bridges are a large investment of public funds. Proper inspection and evaluation according to standards, policies, and engineering judgment protects this investment, attempts to prevent structural failures, and increases the level of public safety. The incumbent must have knowledge of bridge nomenclature. The incumbent must possess the ability and special training to recognize structural problems related to fracture critical members and scour in various bridge designs. The incumbent must properly and adequately advise the district Bridge Maintenance Engineer of structural deficiencies or potential problems.

Typical problems include properly recognizing and analyzing bridge pin and link assembly deficiencies and recommending repair or rehabilitation; recognizing seized bearings and pin-hanger assemblies; recognizing and analyzing structural steel for fatigue and weld cracks; analyzing concrete in beams and substructure units for deterioration or displacement; and analyzing channels for scour. The greatest challenge in the course of the inspections is to find deficiencies, establish the cause of the deficiencies discovered, and recommend corrective action.

Job Responsibilities Continued

The incumbent, with a staff of the Bridge Inspection Technician and loaned engineering technician(s) and Highway Maintenance Maintainer(s) assists in the ongoing detailed inspection and minor preventive maintenance of all state-maintained bridges and inventoried drainage structures in the district. This includes, but is not limited to, bridges requiring inspections of fracture critical members, pin and link assemblies, and underwater inspections of those with potential scour. This work includes obtaining field measurements, photographs, surveys, assessment of structural conditions, and compilation of complete inspection forms and reports for various bridges and structures. The incumbent evaluates structural problems, assesses damages, and makes recommendations for maintenance and repair. Proper performance of these duties is critical in order to ensure the safety of the highway user, protect the public's investment in bridges inspected, and fulfill requirements of the NBIS. The incumbent assembles an inventory of bridges, schedules inspections, and may supervise necessary repairs.

Accountabilities are accomplished through the following staff:

Bridge Inspection Technician who, with the assistance of temporarily assigned engineering technician(s) and highway maintainer(s), is accountable to prepare detailed notes and take photographs of components inspected; obtain stream bed profiles and clearances; assemble data in reports; and enter inspector ratings and work accomplishment data into the Bridge Information System (BIS). The incumbent researches and remains current with the latest available design, construction, and repair policy, techniques, and data.

Engineering Technician(s) who are accountable to assist in the inspection of more complicated structures on a temporarily assigned basis.

Highway Maintainer(s) who are accountable to safely operate and maintain specialized bridge inspection equipment. The Highway Maintainers are assigned to the Bridge Inspection Specialist Team on an as-needed basis.

The incumbent works within the guidelines of the NBSI, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Structural Services Manual (specifically Section 3 - Inspection), Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA's) Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual, Bureau of Personnel rules, and various labor agreements.

The incumbent's internal contacts are with the district Bureaus of Design and Environment for existing plan review and plan preparation requirements, Construction for "as built" plans, Materials for material certification and tests, and Planning for reference to the Bridge Inventory. The incumbent has internal contact with the central Bureau of Bridges and Structures in order to remain current with inspection requirements and to share detailed technical information and analysis techniques or standards. Extensive districtwide and occasional statewide and out-of-state travel which may include overnight stays is required.

The effectiveness of this position may be measured by the results achieved in complying with the requirements of the NBIS. This includes and is documented by the quantity and quality of inspections and reports completed. Ultimate effectiveness is measured in the level of safety and integrity of the bridge and structures maintained.

Principal Accountabilities

* Plans, directs, and controls the district Bridge Inspection Specialist team in the continuing detailed field inspection of bridge structures throughout the district to ensure compliance with the NBIS. * Conducts field inspections of fracture critical structures and pin and link assemblies, underwater bridge inspection and scour analysis to meet the requirements of the NBIS. * Detects and analyzes structural problems encountered during inspections and for making specific recommendations based on observations and structural expertise. Evaluates the seriousness of all problems encountered and takes appropriate action as required. * Conducts field investigations and evaluations of damaged bridges and bridge deficiencies. * Completes all necessary reports concerning bridge inspections and the accurate entry of required data into the BIS. Requests reports and analyzes information from the BIS. * Ensures safe operation and maintenance of the specialized equipment and vehicles used by the inspection crew. * Maintains up to date knowledge of the NBIS and technological developments relating to bridge inspection through training and other resources. * Demonstrates techniques and evaluates and motivates subordinate personnel to ensure staff development and competence. * Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees. * Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

* Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois. * Four years of experience in civil engineering. * National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) Team Leader, as defined by the Bureau of Bridges and Structures Structural Services Manual Section 3.9.2.4 and possess a Bridge Element Level Inspection Certification or achieve these qualifications within 12 months of hire. * Valid driver's license. * Extensive districtwide and occasional statewide and out-of-state travel which may include overnight stays. * Successful completion of a background screening.

Preferred Qualifications

* Supervisory experience in civil engineering. * Ability to direct the work of other engineers, mechanics, equipment operators, and laborers. * Strong oral and written communication skills.

Work Hours: 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Monday - Friday

Work Location: 700 E Norris Dr, Ottawa, Illinois, 61350

Office: Office of Highways Project Implementation/Region 2/District 3/Operations/Bridge Maintenance

Agency Contact: DOT.CONTACTHR@ILLINOIS.GOV

Posting Group: Transportation ; Leadership & Management; Public Safety; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor ("OEIG") or may be subject to a fine.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

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Nearest Major Market: Ottawa