This position is accountable for detailed inspections of bridges and other structures throughout the district and compiles information needed to program necessary repairs to ensure public safety. These duties are vital for fulfilling the requirements of the National Bridge Inspection Standards (N.B.I.S.) and the Element Level Maintenance Management System. This position is also responsible for inspection of bridge painting contract work throughout the district.
Continuing inspections: 850
Underwater inspections: 110
Bridges requiring fracture critical inspections: 10
Annual inspections mandated by State and N.B.I.S.: 500
Value of bridge inspection equipment managed: $100,000
This position reports directly to the Senior Bridge Inspection Engineer. There are no subordinates reporting to this position.
This position operates in an environment of analyzing and coordinating the specific equipment, supplies, and traffic control needed for each bridge to be inspected. The incumbent must be able to operate and perform proper care and maintenance of all the specialized bridge inspection equipment.
Typical problems include coordinating, managing, and planning for personnel and equipment to ensure the required inspection data is collected safely, accurately, and efficiently. Access to many of the components of large bridges is also very difficult and at considerable height above the ground or water. The work environment is additionally complicated with the presence of high-speed traffic on the deck, permitted utility attachments to the structure, and high voltage electric lines often above or adjacent to the structure. Traffic control assistance is needed on a limited basis. As such, specific needs for signs, barricades, cones, arrow boards and flaggers must be determined and scheduled. The greatest challenge is the search and detection of deficiencies that affect structural integrity and capacity. The incumbent must also determine the reason for those deficiencies and suggest repair strategies.
This position is responsible for organizing the bridge inspections, assisting in the preparation of the yearly bridge inspection schedule, conducting routine bridge inspections, sounding underwater areas around river piers, and obtaining river bottom profiles and elevations with electronic depth sounding equipment. The incumbent must be aware of problems associated with welded bridges and capable of testing for flaws and cracks associated with welds and out-of-plane bending. The incumbent will participate in the field inspection of highway bridges and structures throughout the district.