Bridge Inspector (Engineering Physical Sciences Technician I) - Denver

New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

About the Position

Assists team leaders in conducting routine bridge inspections and special inspections on a statewide basis,  evaluates and documents each bridge’s capacity to carry traffic, and condition of the structural elements and the adequacy of the bridge opening to accommodate flow of water and/or traffic.  Follow guidelines to recommend appropriate action to be taken based on the inspection findings such as closing unsafe bridges, repairs and/or maintenance. 

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Bridge Inspection 

• Conduct bridge inspections by implementing the proper traffic control per team leader’s instructions, observing all of the bridge components for proper function and identifying defects, erosion of the supporting materials, signs of fatigue, deterioration, and/or collision damage.
• Identify problems and make recommendations for repairs and maintenance to ensure public safety and maximize longevity of the bridge for inspections performed of basic and simple structure designs and configurations such as box or pipe culverts and redundant simple span and multi simple span slab and girder bridges.
• Perform inspection of basic and simple structure designs and configurations such as box or pipe culverts and redundant simple span and multi simple span slab and girder bridges.

Post Inspection Documentation

• Document the inspection findings by taking photographs, completing a report, drawing informative sketches, and setting or checking reference points to monitor changes for inspections performed of basic and simple structure designs and configurations such as box or pipe culverts and redundant simple span and multi simple span slab and girder bridges.
• Measure applicable clearances and update the computer databases.

Inspection Preparation

• Aid team-leader in planning the inspection by organizing the structure folders, determining the inspection sequence, preparing for special inspection requirements (e.g., fractural critical, nondestructive testing and underwater inspection), anticipating the effects of traffic control procedures, and other measures to facilitate a thorough and complete inspections.  
• Prepare for the inspection by locating and reviewing the plans, organizing the proper tools and equipment, and reviewing the bridge structures files.

Bridge Inspection using the Below Bridge Access Vehicle

• Conduct element level and NBI inspections of structures requiring the use of the Below Bridge Access Vehicle (BBAV). 
• Maintain the inspection and BBAV vehicles. 

Special Inspection

• Conduct special inspections when needs arise such as citizen reports, vehicle impacts, floods, fires, etc.

Work Environment:

• Your schedule will primarily be 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday but this is subject to change depending on the project.  In some cases, weekend work may be required to accommodate Regional Lane Closure requirements
• Travel to project sites, meetings and trainings throughout Colorado.
• Travel overnight throughout Colorado approximately 33 nights a year.
• Required to operate CDOT bridge inspection vehicles, Commercial Driver’s License Class B required within 6 months of being hired.  CDOT provides CDL training.
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles including the Aspen Aerials A-40 (Below Bridge Access Vehicle) and an inspection bucket truck.
• Must be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime including weekends and holidays.
• Must be willing and physically able to work in extreme temperature and weather conditions for long periods of time.

• Due to the location of some structures, must be willing and able to work in elevations of up to 13,000 feet.
• Must be willing and able to work in an aerial device (bucket truck) at heights varying from 10 to 30 feet above the ground.
• Must be willing and able to work on a platform, mounted on a below bridge access vehicle, below a bridge at heights varying from 30 to 150 feet above the ground or water.
• Must be willing and able to work in restricted areas (e.g. interior of a girder) 3 to 6 feet in height for long periods of time.
• Must provide the supervisor with a telephone number where he/she can be reached for the purpose of responding to an emergency.
• Must be able to read, understand and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Required to bend, kneel, climb in/out of trucks when maintaining and using equipment, as well as when inspecting bridges.
• Must be able to hear and communicate via cell phone and state radio to relay information and respond to field calls.
• Required to use personal protective equipment, harnesses, respirators, etc. as appropriate.
• Exposure to various wildlife, such as spiders, bees, mice, snakes, etc.