In the Washington State Department of Transportation, Bridge and Structures Office or Washington State Ferries:

• Serves as a lead bridge technician performing advanced technical bridge engineering tasks or
• Performs professional level bridge engineering tasks.

As a lead bridge technician:

• Bridge Design Section or Washington State Ferries: Provides major project plan coordination. Assists supervisor in Employee Development and Performance Plan (EDPP) preparation. Provides informal structural detailing training for lower level employees;

OR

• Performs as a technical lead designer/structural detailer and project coordinator for secondary bridge structural elements (such as bridge rails or expansion joints);  

OR

Performs as an engineer responsible for electronic bridge design documentation (such as contract plans, as-built plans, region bridge site data, and specifications). These positions differ from Bridge Engineer 4 positions in that Bridge Engineer 3’s are not technician specialists, and they are not required to provide formal training to others. They differ from Bridge Engineer 2 positions in that Bridge Engineer 3’s provide leadership in major project plan coordination, secondary bridge structural element design, bridge design electronic document management responsibility or bridge project scheduling responsibility. Provides informal training to less experienced staff.
• Bridge Preservation Office: serves as a co-inspector/UBIT operator and performs at least two of the following duties: specialist on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspections of pins and anchor bolts; Lead Inspector for short span bridges, wading and/or scour inspections; writes equipment specifications for new purchases (for example, inspection vehicles, Under Bridge Inspection Trucks (UBIT), boats, inspection equipment, personal safety gear, and rental equipment); schedules UBIT and routine inspections when assigned. Provides formal training in equipment operation and safety procedures.

OR

 Designs, builds and maintains auxiliary Washington State Bridge Inventory System (WSBIS) tables; identifies inspection coding requirements and develops computer programs for evaluating and testing data.

• These positions require little supervision.

As an engineering professional:

• Bridge Design Section or Washington State Ferries: designs and checks the design of transportation structures of intermediate size and complexity (such as two and three span reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete girder bridges, or tie-back retaining walls);

OR

• Portions of transportation structures of major complexity.

AND

• Prepares complex detail and layout drawings and sketches. Computes structural quantities for preparing cost estimates. Performs professional engineer duties of moderate scope and difficulty in the design of transportation structures. Minimum supervision is required.

• These positions differ from Bridge Engineer 4 positions in that Bridge Engineer 3’s are limited to work on structures of intermediate size and complexity or on specific portions of larger structures of major complexity. They differ from Bridge Engineer 2 positions in that Bridge Engineer 3’s are required to be proficient in the techniques of structural analysis and the capacity to recognize constructability issues and assure that these issues are addressed in the final design.

• Bridge Preservation Office: serves as a co-inspector, and performs NDT inspections on complex structural elements. Writes inspection reports for complex structures, (such as Bridge Inspection Reports (BIR), WSBIS, Fracture Critical, In-depth, paint, Inventory, Special Features). Load rates all bridge types, except major bridges. Utilizes advanced knowledge of inspection codes, office procedures and policies.

• These positions differ from Bridge Engineer 4 positions in that Bridge Engineer 3’s are not technician specialists. These positions require little supervision.

Operates Under Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT); performs maintenance, troubleshooting and field repairs on the UBIT;

Performs Non-Destructive Testing Inspections of pins and anchor bolts;

Develops schedules for UBIT and routine inspection trips;

Performs load carrying capacity analysis of existing structures;

Team leader for short span bridge, Sign Bridge, fathometric and two person UBIT inspections;

Evaluates proposals for commercial overweight truck movements over state bridges to ensure safe passage of trucks without compromising the structural integrity of bridge;

Participates as a member of a bridge inspection team using routine and non-destructive inspections; assists in the development of conceptual and final design of bridge modifications and retrofits;

Acts as Co-Inspector for inspection of existing transportation structures to determine their condition, capability, and necessary repair; performs non-destructive ultrasonic, magnetic particle and dye penetrant tests when required to identify structural deficiencies; prepares inspection reports and recommended repairs;

Designs, builds and maintains auxiliary Washington State Bridge Inspection System (WSBIS) tables;

Accumulates and documents data on all types of sign bridge structures;

Prepares and checks preliminary plans of bridges, walls, and related structures of major size and difficulty for highway, stream, street, and railroad crossings;

Interprets field data and preliminary foundation, hydraulic, and geometric data for structural requirements and compatibility;

Trains/mentors other engineers on the preparation of preliminary plans;

Performs structural analysis and design of intermediate level transportation structures and components of major level transportation structures;

Reviews and approves construction drawings submitted by contractors for construction of all types of bridges and structures of intermediate size and complexity;

Independent detailed structural design and checking of falsework, concrete formwork, shoring, cofferdams, erection and demolition procedures to ensure structural adequacy, safety, and conformance with contract documents;

Computes material quantities for bridges;

Manages resources and scheduling of complex projects with up to seven other engineers and detailers;

Provides training in Computer Aided Detailing techniques;

Acts as a member of a peer review committee for the development of WSDOT Structural Design Software in development;

Designs bridge rail retrofits and upgrades to meet WSDOT, AASHTO, and federal design standards; performs as the structural technical resource for bridge traffic barriers; facilitates resolution of bridge traffic barrier issues in coordination with EESC Design Office, regions, other states, and federal agencies;

Prepares special provisions and cost estimates for simple or intermediate transportation structures;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: use of NDT equipment on fracture critical elements of structures; communication and coordination with various disciplines within WSDOT, contractors, consultants, and manufacturers regarding bridge construction; bridge engineering codes, such as AASHTO and AISCI engineering principles in the discipline of civil, structural, mechanical or electrical, bridge design concepts, UBIT safety, operation, and repair.

Ability to: determine and document the condition and necessary repairs of structures; work at heights exceeding 100 feet, inside confined space environment and over waterways; operate inspection vehicles; prepare bridge design calculations, details, and completes set of bridge contract plans.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

For bridge technician positions:

• Two years of experience as a Bridge Engineer 2, Transportation Engineer 2, or equivalent.

For bridge engineering professional positions:

• A Bachelor of Science degree involving major study in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Structural engineering, plus one year experience as a Bridge Engineer 2, Transportation Engineer 2, or equivalent. Possession of an Engineer-In-Training certificate will be substituted for education.

Equivalent education/experience.

Note: Some positions require possession of a valid driver's license. Some positions may also require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), without air brakes restriction.

Revised code (formerly 6649), title (formerly Assistant Bridge Engineer 2), definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications: 11-13-81
Revised minimum qualifications: 8-15-86
Revised minimum qualifications: 10-15-99
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, minimum qualifications, and general revision: 11-9-01
New class code: (formerly 66420) effective July 1, 2007.
 Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.