Scour Engineer (Bridge Engineer 5 In-Training)

Posting number: 26DOT-HQ-00519

Department: Dept. of Transportation

Division: Headquarters

Job classification: BRIDGE ENGINEER 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Engineering, Transportation

Summary

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Bridge Engineer 5 to join the Bridge Preservation Office and support the statewide Bridge Scour Program. In this role, you will serve as a registered professional engineer responsible for conducting federally mandated scour inspections, developing and maintaining action plans to protect scour-critical bridges. You will support WSDOT’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation by ensuring the safety and reliability of bridges on the state highway system. This work includes investigating scour mitigation measures, designing and reviewing scour repairs, conducting scour assessments, supporting bridge inspections, and working with WSDOT staff and hydraulic consultants on statewide scour projects.

What to Expect

This position provides opportunities to share technical knowledge by participating in training for local agencies, WSDOT personnel, and other outside agencies. Frequent statewide travel is an important part of the role, with overnight travel and periods when you may be in travel status for most of the workweek.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will:

• Manage the Bridge Scour Program by performing scour assessments and developing, maintaining, and updating Scour Plans of Action.
• Develop lists of bridges requiring scour inspections, repairs, fathometric surveys, and underwater inspections.
• Review underwater inspection and fathometric reports to evaluate bridges for scour susceptibility.
• Work with HQ Hydraulics to design scour repairs and prepare detailed drawings.
• Manage and update scour databases and spreadsheets and generate status reports as needed.
• Ensure bridge files contain the information necessary to meet National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) requirements and current Bridge Preservation Office protocols.
• Review recommended scour-related repairs and provide feedback.
• Direct the compilation of scour-related information for HQ Hydraulics, engineering and environmental staff, and consultants.
• Work with HQ Hydraulics and hydraulic consultants to complete statewide scour projects.
• Participate as a member of an instructional team providing scour-related training to local agencies, WSDOT employees, and other agencies.
• Serve as a Lead Inspector on bridge inspection teams using routine and nondestructive inspection methods, including operating an Under Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT) from below bridge decks.
• Prepare bridge inspection reports and recommended repairs.

Qualifications

This is a Bridge Engineer 5 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan.

At minimum, the following competencies are required:

• Civil Engineering: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited program.
• Professional Engineering: Current registration as a Professional Engineer in Washington State, or the ability to obtain Washington registration through comity within 6 months.
• Scour Program Knowledge: Working knowledge of SNBI scour-related coding, including scour vulnerability, scour condition, channel condition, and channel protection condition.
• Scour Assessment: Familiarity with scour assessments and Scour Plans of Action.
• Effective Communication: Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with team members.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.
• Respectful Workplace: Actively contributes to a work environment that fosters respect, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all.

In addition to the competencies above, candidates at the Bridge Engineer 5 level must also demonstrate:

• Bridge Inspection Leadership: Certification as a Team Leader for bridge and tunnel inspection in accordance with NBIS and NTIS.
• Advanced Scour Program Knowledge: Specialized knowledge of SNBI scour-related coding, including scour vulnerability, scour condition, channel condition, and channel protection condition.
• Scour Engineering: Ability to develop scour assessments and Scour Plans of Action and make scour repair recommendations.
• Technical Collaboration: Effectively communicates and collaborates with Hydraulic Engineers.
• Technical Training: Provides technical support and training related to scour, scour countermeasures, and channel condition coding.

The following qualifications are also required:

• A valid, unrestricted Washington State driver's license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) at the time of hire.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Hydraulics: Advanced knowledge of hydraulics, typically gained through a master's degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in hydraulics or experience performing hydraulic analysis and design.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position offers flexible/hybrid remote work options.
• This position requires frequent overnight travel.
• This position requires a Professional Engineers License issued by the State of Washington. License holders from other states will be expected to obtain a WA State PE license within six (6) months of appointment.
• This is a Bridge Engineer 5 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. The base salaries for each level are:
  • Bridge Engineer 5: $102,996 – $138,552 Annually
  • Bridge Engineer 4: $93,288 – $125,544 Annually
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees mayearn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Rachel.Giese@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-HQ-00519 in the subject line.