Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Bridge Safety Inspection

Class code: 003677
Bargaining unit(s): 207
Classification title: Transportation Specialist
Function: Bridge Safety Inspection
Kind of work: Senior level technical and/or specialized work.

Nature & purpose

Under limited supervision, an employee in this class performs difficult technical duties, such as annual bridge safety inspections, special assessments/inspections of bridges and culverts, deck surveys, approach panel inspections, and performs related work as required. 

An employee resolves most problems using theoretical principles and concepts of a specialized field as well as knowledge of and impact on the department’s programs. An employee is considered the technical expert in a specialized area and provides technical support and expertise to others.  An employee is responsible for completing or leading a complex project and/or work activities and has a substantial degree of authority in planning, organizing and completing work.  Employees at this level will perform as lead worker having considerable freedom to organize human, equipment, material, and other resources as well as prioritize, schedule, assign, direct, guide, and report on the work activities of other state employees.

This level is different from the Transportation Generalist Senior level in that at the Transportation Specialist level, an employee plans and organizes work based on deadlines, procedures and standards.  An employee determines what shall be done and how it will be done and continually improves work processes.  At this level, an employee provides technical expertise and information, in a specialized field, to others.

Examples of work

A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

  • Lead and conduct bridge safety inspections, special assessments/inspections of bridges and culverts, deck surveys, and approach panel inspections so structural integrity is maintained at the lowest safety risk and inconvenience to the public, to identify maintenance needs, and to meet federal regulations.
  • Document and input inspection data into the Structure Information Management System (SIMS) database.
  • Lead and conduct routine annual safety inspections of in-service bridges and other highway structures that may include sign structures high-mast light poles, towers and traffic control signals on bridges to ensure their integrity and safety according to MnDOT and Federal Highway Association (FHWA) standards.
  • Assist with scheduling and planning of bridge and non-bridge structural asset inspection.
  • Report discovered findings, critical or hazardous deficiencies in accordance with MnDOT policy.
  • Complete and submit paperwork/reports to higher level staff for review. 
  • Maintain bridge records and files sufficient to meet state and federal regulations for Bridge maintenance and for programming replacements and rehabilitation.
  • Assist in the performance of fracture critical inspections so structural integrity can be maintained at the lowest safety risk and inconvenience to the public.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to be proficient at the job 

Knowledge of:

  • Procedures, methods, materials, equipment, practices and regulatory requirements sufficient to conduct or direct a bridge safety fracture critical inspection team in the fracture critical inspection of bridges and other structures so structural integrity is maintained.  
  • MnDOT’s Bridge Safety Inspection Policies & Procedures.
  • Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Ability to:   

Equipment
  • Use specialized equipment to perform very precise, exacting operations where maintaining close tolerances are critical to the successful completion of the job.
Information Technology
  • Create and edit data files such as letters, memos, spreadsheets, databases, PowerPoint presentations, and GPS data files. 
Interpersonal
  • Train others to perform tasks or operate equipment. Resolve interpersonal and workmanship-related conflicts.
Leadership
  • Lead crews and look for opportunities to improve processes.
Math
  • Do basic geometry such as calculate areas and volumes.  Know the properties of uniform shapes such as planes and solid figures.
Oral Communication
  • Deliver pre-planned informational presentations to groups.  Answer questions from the public in one-on-one situations, either in the field or by phone.
Problem Solving
  • Work independently. Solve routine technical, process, or people-related problems.
Reading
  • Comprehend legal documents such as contracts, policies, and statutes.
Written Communication
  • Generate technical documents such as instructional manuals, policy guidelines, or construction plans. 

Licenses, certifications: 

  • Class A Commercial Driver’s License with no Air Brake restriction.
  • MnDOT Bridge Safety Team Leader Inspection Certification – Required.

Minimum qualifications:

Include years of experience, education, training, certifications, and licenses required at the time of application to be considered eligible for the vacancy.

  • Four years of experience performing bridge safety inspections, bridge maintenance, bridge construction and/or bridge design activities or related activities;

OR

  • Three years of experience performing bridge safety inspections, bridge maintenance, bridge construction and/or bridge design activities or related activities and a combination of one year of experience performing roadway construction, pre-design, hydraulics/water resources, materials, permits, planning, right of way, road surface/roadside maintenance, right of way, signs, snow/ice, soils, surveys, and/or traffic engineering activities or related activities may substitute for one year performing bridge safety inspections, bridge maintenance, bridge construction and/or bridge design or related activities.
  • Note: A Two year Civil or Construction Technology Degree or the following four year degrees: Architectural, Civil or Mechanical Engineering; Land Surveying / Geomatics; or equivalent may substitute for one year of experience. (In order for education coursework to be considered in lieu of work experience you must submit a copy of your transcripts).
  • Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Physical capabilities and environmental conditions:        

Requires occasionally pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying 50-pounds maximum.  This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm, hand, finger and/or leg controls.

Revisions

  • 7-2017 - Established