Section 2: TxDOT Bridge Inspection Personnel
Anchor: #i1002497General Position Requirements
Certain knowledge, skills, or abilities are general in nature to most bridge inspection engineering-related positions. The level of knowledge, skill, or ability in these general areas increases in relationship to the level of the position and will not be specifically described for each of the positions. Some of the particular areas of necessary skill and knowledge for bridge inspection personnel are:
- Ability to perform engineering calculations.
- Knowledge of bridge engineering fundamentals and application of engineering theory.
- Ability to analyze, interpret, and review technical data.
- Ability to use a personal computer along with applicable software.
- Knowledge of all types of bridge construction methods, particularly in Texas.
- Knowledge of current and past AASHTO specifications, TxDOT design procedures, bridge standards, and details.
- Ability to exercise initiative and independent engineering judgment.
- Ability to schedule and lead the work of others when appropriate to the position.
- Ability to communicate effectively and maintain proper working relationships.
Various special skills and knowledge are also necessary for some of the positions, some of which are unique to the bridge inspection operations such as:
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations
- Knowledge of bridge inspection methods and procedures
- Familiarity with associated inspection safety requirements
- Skill in use of scuba or other underwater inspection equipment
- Ability to make bridge inspection-related technical and training presentations and to represent the department in public meetings and conferences
Specific Position Requirements
The following subsections briefly describe each TxDOT job position. Greater detail is given in the Human Resources Manual describing the various positions and TxDOT bridge inspection personnel must have the appropriate Bridge Inspection job classification. Some districts combine some positions with other separate responsibilities such as the scour inspection program.
Anchor: #i1002596Division Manager of Bridge Inspection Operations
This person heads the Bridge Inspection Branch of the Bridge Division. Under the general direction of the Director of the Bridge Division, the position has statewide responsibility for the Texas bridge inspection operations.
All the bridge inspection activities for Texas are under the general oversight of this position and includes such major items such as:
- All types of bridge inspection
- Posting of bridges, both on- and off-system
- Meeting with city and county officials
- Recommending prioritization of replacement, rehabilitation, and repair
Various policies and procedures related to the bridge inspection may also be prepared under direction of this position, some of which are:
- Developes and implements necessary modifications to existing program of responsibility in close coordination with the FHWA
- Develops standards for inspection and ensures compliance with the NBIS
- Monitors consultant inspection contracts including work quality
- Represents the department in technical and public meetings
Division Bridge Inspection Supervisors/Engineers or District Bridge Inspection Coordinators
The TxDOT personnel assigned to these positions are directly responsible for bridge inspection operations within the division or district. Under general guidance from the Division Manager of Bridge Inspection or from the District Engineer, they perform a variety of tasks.
Some of the major bridge inspection responsibilities and duties of this position may include:
- Schedules and oversees the bridge inspection operations in a district.
- Assists in managing the statewide bridge inspection operations in a division.
- Coordinates the following:
- the bridge load posting program
- maintenance of the current bridge inventory data
- special inspections, including fracture critical and underwater
- assists Motor Carrier Division (MCD) in routing overweight or other types of permit vehicles.
- Performs, reviews, and monitors detailed investigations
for
- data collection
- bridge-related research
- recommendations for cost-effective project design for new and rehabilitated bridges
- Performs underwater inspection and evaluation in a division.
- Prepares, reviews, and evaluates inspection contracts with consultants.
- Rates load-carrying capacities of bridges considered for posting and provides recommendations for structural improvements to avoid posting.
- Performs critical inspections of large, unusual, or damaged structures.
Division or District Bridge Inspection Engineers/Specialists
These TxDOT engineers and engineering specialists perform many of the bridge inspection tasks within the division or district. Under general guidance from a Division Bridge Inspection Supervisor/Engineer or from the District Bridge Inspection Coordinator, the positions are responsible for many different tasks.
Some of the major bridge inspection responsibilities and duties of this position may include:
- Assisting in managing the statewide bridge inspection in a division.
- Performing advanced technical engineering in support of bridge inspection.
- Inspecting and appraising bridges.
- Coordinates the following:
- the bridge load posting program
- maintenance of the current bridge inventory data
- special inspections, including fracture-critical and underwater damage or emergency inspections,
- assists the Motor Carrier Division (MCD) in routing overweight or other types of permit vehicles.
- Prepares, reviews, and evaluates inspection contracts
with consultants for
- routine inspections
- fracture-critical inspections
- underwater inspections
- work progress and quality
- Performs follow-up inspections of bridges considered for closure.
- Acts as lead worker and instructs bridge inspectors or other technical personnel.
- Rates load-carrying capacities of bridges considered for posting and provides recommendations for structural improvements to avoid posting.
- May direct the diving safety program.
- May perform underwater inspection and evaluation in a division.
Division or District Bridge Inspection Staff Specialists/Technicians
These TxDOT engineering specialists and technicians perform many of the bridge inspection tasks within the division or a district. Under direct supervision from a Division Bridge Inspection Supervisor/Engineer, the District Bridge Inspection Coordinator, or a Bridge Inspection Engineer, the positions are responsible for many specific tasks.
Some of the specific bridge inspection responsibilities and duties of these positions may include:
- Performs advanced technical engineering in support of Bridge inspection
- Acts as lead worker and schedules work of other technical personnel
- May direct the diving safety program
- Inspects and appraises bridges
- Coordinates bridge load posting
- Rates load-carrying capacities of bridges including appraisals
- Assists with structural analyses to determine load-carrying capacity of bridges
- Maintains inspection equipment
- Performs or assists with fracture-critical and other related bridge inspection activities
- Performs pre-inspection investigations of existing bridge plans
- Prepares and/or records data for bridge inspection files