Dallas District is currently hiring Transportation Specialist II, III, IV for our Dallas District ’s Bridge Section located in Mesquite. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a wide range of impactful projects, including bridge design and bridge repair. You'll be involved in preparing Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) while ensuring designs meet current standards and coordinating with project stakeholders.

The specialist will also help TxDOT ensure the safety of the traveling public and preserve our large financial investment in Texas bridges by helping the section meet and exceed the Federal Highway Administration’s requirements for states’ Bridge Inspection Programs. Responsibilities for this position will include assisting with the preparation of plan sheets as well as working with the bridge safety inspection program to perform field inspections. If you are looking for a career as part of a diverse workforce and you have the technical skills to help progress the program, let’s talk!

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Transportation Specialist II:
Provides technical expertise and coordination for transportation programs involving multiple design and bridge inspection and appraisal in accordance with Department standards. Assists with project planning and the development of policies and procedures for area of responsibility. Work requires contact with governmental officials, consultants, contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Transportation Specialist III:
Provides technical expertise and coordination for transportation programs involving multiple design and bridge inspection and appraisal in accordance with Department standards. Work requires contact with governmental officials, consultants, contractors and private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Transportation Specialist IV:
Provides high-level technical expertise and coordination for transportation programs involving multiple design and bridge inspection and appraisal in accordance with Department standards. Work requires contact with governmental officials, consultants, contractors and private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence.

Essential Duties:

Transportation Specialist II:

• Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints and maps
• Assists with project design involving design calculations and sketches of plans, layouts and typical sections.
• Inspects and appraise bridge structures according to the Bridge Inspection Manual.
• Prepares bridge inspection follow-up worksheet for maintenance and gives instruction for recommended actions; monitors follow-up actions taken by maintenance.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Additional duties for Transportation Specialist III:

• Develops site layouts utilizing engineering workstations and software.
• Conducts immediate inspection of damaged bridges, determines necessity of temporary or permanent repairs and notifies maintenance personnel; makes recommendations for the closing of bridges.
• Plans, coordinates and schedules bridge inspection and Bridge Inspection Program activities

Additional duties for Transportation Specialist IV:

• Performs advanced technical activities related to inspection and appraisal of bridge structures according to the Bridge Inspection Manual.
• Coordinates engineering field staff activities and provides high-level technical assistance in resolving construction problems.
• Provides technical assistance in resolving construction problems.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Education - Transportation Specialist II/III/IV: Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience

Transportation Specialist II: 4 years transportation design, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, bridge inspection experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Transportation Specialist III: 5 years transportation design, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, bridge inspection experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Transportation Specialist IV: 5 years transportation design, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, bridge inspection experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Licenses and Certifications Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications:

Transportation Specialist II/III/IV:

• Must (1) have successfully completed a comprehensive training course based on the FHWA's Bridge Inspector's Reference Manual (FHWA-NHI-Course No. 130055 - Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges, or an equivalent recognized by the FHWA) within one 1 year of hire and Bridge Refresher Training (FHWA-NHI-Course No. 130053 - Bridge Inspection Refresher Training) every four years thereafter, and (2) sign an agreement to that effect as a condition of employment.

Transportation Specialist III:

• Must include 1 year of active participation in bridge inspection in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)

Transportation Specialist IV:

• Must include 2 years of active participation in bridge inspection in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS)

Competencies:

Transportation Specialist II:

• Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems
• Preparing and maintaining confidential and sensitive records, files, and reports
• Applicable industry safety standards, guidelines, and specification codes

• Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints and maps

Additional Competencies for Transportation Specialist III:

• Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
• Bridge inspection and appraisal methods and procedures
• Design and plan preparation methods and requirements
• Preventive maintenance methods and procedures

Additional Competencies for Transportation Specialist IV:

• Bridge construction and evaluation methods, procedures, and regulations
• Appraisal practices, standards, and inspections
• Planning, assigning, directing, coordinating and reviewing the work of administrative and technical employees

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to outside environmental conditions; no effective weather protection
• Subject to extreme cold and heat; below 32 and/or above 100 degrees for more than one hour
• Subject to noise
• Subject to vibration
• Subject to hazards-moving vehicles/mechanical parts, high places/heat, or chemicals
• Required to wear protective gear - respirator, hard hat, or other devices
• Medium work: Lift up to 50 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 25 lbs
• Climbing - ascending/descending ladders, stairs, scaffoldings, ramps, etc.
• Balancing-walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Stooping-bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist
• Reaching-extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Walking - moving on foot to accomplish tasks: long distance/from one work site to another
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Hearing - perceive sound at normal speaking levels; receive information by oral communication
• Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Visual Acuity-operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment

Conditions of Employment:
Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation – 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) – does not authorize “medical marijuana” under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• For Bridge Inspection: Must have completed a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual or NICET Level III or IV certification in Bridge Safety Inspection within (1) year of date of hire.

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category.

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information