Bridge Inspector

About the role

The City of Richmond Department of Public Works is seeking a Bridge Inspector for the Bridge and Structure Maintenance Division. The incumbent examines bridges and related structures to ensure conformity with federal, state, and city codes, regulations, and engineering specifications. This role includes inspecting bridges and culverts owned by the City of Richmond as required by the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation, preparing reports, making repair recommendations, coordinating with consulting engineering firms, and maintaining city databases on structures. The position involves occasional work at extensive heights and operation at high altitudes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Bridge Safety Inspection reports based on state and federal guidelines, including documentation with photos, verbal descriptions, and repair recommendations; update City databases.
• Inspect structures by reviewing previous reports and documenting current conditions, assessing, photographing, measuring, and recording all deficiencies, and determining if any require immediate action.
• Plan inspections, monitor traffic conditions, request lane closures, arrange equipment rentals (e.g., boats), note special features requiring extra scrutiny, operate equipment such as lights and ladders, and request vegetation removal.
• Monitor progress of consulting engineering firm assignments, gather data for consultants, provide repair recommendations, and prepare miscellaneous reports.
• Perform other related duties as required, including coordination with consultant engineering firms and maintenance of city databases.
• Serve as an essential employee, potentially required to work during emergencies, natural disasters, and inclement weather.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in engineering or a related area.
• Four (4) years of experience related to inspections.
• Five (5) years of active experience and signature authority related to bridge inspections (preferred).
• Equivalent combination of training and experience may be accepted as approved by the department.
• Completion of Federal Highway Administration engineering‑based classes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local codes and regulations related to bridges and culverts.
• Knowledge of traffic regulations pertaining to inspections and lane closures.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Mathematical calculations and problem‑solving.
• Computer proficiency.
• Customer service orientation.
• Ability to work autonomously and self‑manage.
• Safe operation of aerial access equipment.
• Organizational skills.

Benefits

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $64,621 – $94,000.

Work Environment

Incumbents may travel to various locations within and outside the City of Richmond and may be exposed to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, intense noise, and disruptive or threatening individuals. The role requires frequent standing, walking, pushing, pulling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing, and repetitive motions, with occasional balancing, stooping, crouching, and lifting up to 10 pounds. The position is considered sedentary with occasional exertion of negligible force.