Bridge Maintenance Specialist Lead

About the role

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Bridge Maintenance Specialist Lead to join the Olympic Region Maintenance team in Tacoma, WA. This leadership role involves ensuring the safe operation, preservation, and long-term reliability of iconic bridges, such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Thea Foss Bridge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate journey-level bridge maintenance crews performing maintenance, repair, inspection, and emergency response activities.
• Schedule work, assign crews, coordinate equipment and resources, maintain work records, prepare project estimates, monitor inventory, and support accident investigations and reporting.
• Train employees on equipment operation, safety practices, bridge maintenance techniques, and public relations while promoting a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Lead and participate in Pre-Activity Safety Plans (PASPs), safety meetings, traffic control planning, and ensure compliance with all applicable safety requirements and work zone standards.
• Perform journey-level maintenance, structural repairs, painting, rigging, staging, preventative maintenance, and rehabilitation of bridge components, mechanical systems, and elevated structures.
• Operate, inspect, and maintain specialized bridge access equipment, cranes, scaffolding, rigging systems, and other specialized equipment used to safely perform work at height.
• Perform snow and ice control activities, including operating truck-mounted equipment, applying anti-icing materials, hauling maintenance materials, and maintaining stockpile locations.
• Conduct routine and post-event bridge inspections, document findings, and enter maintenance activities into designated software systems.
• Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair bridge electrical systems, navigation lighting, obstruction lighting, emergency generators, transformers, and related electrical equipment.
• Support statewide bridge preservation efforts by providing specialized access for inspections and assisting with emergency deployment of portable Bailey Bridges.
• Respond to emergency incidents including bridge strikes, storm events, traffic control operations, roadway closures, hazardous material spills, and other emergency response activities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead Bridge Maintenance Specialists by establishing clear expectations, promoting accountability, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards, and supporting employee development through effective communication and coaching.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners to achieve shared goals and deliver effective service.
• Demonstrated knowledge of workplace safety standards, bridge and highway maintenance practices, heavy equipment operations, structural systems, fall-protection equipment, rigging gear, and safe work practices in high-risk environments.
• Ability to communicate technical and non-technical information clearly and professionally through written, verbal, and presentation methods with diverse audiences.
• Ability to professionally address challenging situations, apply de-escalation strategies, and resolve workplace conflicts respectfully.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Windows-based software, and agency databases to support project tracking, asset management, and documentation.
• Commitment to learning and growth.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing bridge, highway, roadway, or construction maintenance activities.
• Experience in iron work, carpentry, painting, rigging, and heavy equipment operation.
• Experience in winter operations, including snow and ice control operations.
• Experience operating and transporting heavy equipment.
• Experience planning and performing traffic control activities in accordance with MUTCD standards, including sign placement and flagging.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the surrounding service area.