BRIDGE PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING SPECIALIST - 08182026-80090

Location: Nashville, TN (Davidson County) – Department of Transportation, Structures Division – Bridge Performance – Bridge Rating Section. Two positions available.

Pay

$5,647 – $7,326 monthly ($67,764 – $87,912 annually). Starting salary: $6,732 monthly / $80,784 annually.

Schedule

Full-time, hybrid: three days in the office and two days working from home.

Qualifications

• Transportation Engineering Specialist 1: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 1 year of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects.
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 2: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 2 years of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects or Master’s degree in the same fields and 1 year of demonstrated competency.
• Transportation Engineering Specialist 3: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Project Management, or Concrete Industry Management and 3 years of demonstrated competency in planning, developing, and/or constructing projects or Master’s degree in the same fields and 2 years of demonstrated competency.

About the Role

The Bridge Performance Engineering Specialist 3 and 4 assists in providing bridge performance technical expertise to the Structures Division. This position collaborates with Project Teams to identify potential bridge performance challenges and implements statewide acquired knowledge to ensure quality deliverables, minimize variability, and increase the safety and performance of Tennessee’s transportation system. The role ensures Department policies, technical guidance, and procedures are incorporated into bridge performance deliverables and assists in implementing the Quality Assurance Program. This position applies acquired knowledge to improve TDOT specifications, policies, and procedures that mitigate risk and increase performance as part of fulfilling TDOT’s strategic vision. The role requires effective articulation of technical engineering concepts through training, mentoring, and collaborating within a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource for Project Teams within a matrix organization by applying the Project Delivery Network (PDN) and TDOT’s Quality Assurance Program. Identify potential capacity concerns in proposed designs and recommend proactive solutions with other disciplines to ensure project needs are met.
• Follow TDOT Quality Management processes for deliverables through all project phases, supporting effective team Utilization Percentages.
• Integrate Quality Management Guidelines into all deliverables, including policies, procedures, and manuals related to bridge performance to reduce rating errors, re-work, right-of-way delays, construction delays, and contractor claims.
• Provide technical knowledge and support related to conventional or complex bridge performance matters to optimize the Team’s ability to address project needs and unanticipated challenges.
• Perform and review in-house load ratings and evaluations on bridges, ranging in complexity from simple to highly complex. Analyze structures such as Nonredundant Steel Tension Members (NSTM) bridges, frames, and curved steel structures using analysis methods or modeling software to determine structural demand and capacity.
• Recommend load postings for bridges requiring restricted capacities.
• Assist with structural reviews and analyses when critical deficiencies are identified.
• Assist in determining scopes for the Bridge Repair Work Program with the Bridge Repair Section.
• Conduct field reviews to verify appropriate bridge inspection practices, load rating postings, repair materials and methodologies, and rehabilitation projects.
• Assist with data management for load rating results in applicable bridge rating management software.
• Collaborate with Project, Region Bridge Teams, and Asset Management to identify and document industry best practices to avoid past errors and ensure TDOT project successes.
• Assist with modifications to applicable policies, procedures, standards, specifications, and special provisions.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable codes and future changes relevant to the bridge discipline by participating in learning opportunities.
• Provide lessons learned on projects as improvements to leadership through formal and informal presentations.
• Collaborate on strategies used as best practices for statewide quality assurance needs.
• Grow skills in design and modeling software tools for structures.
• Provide bridge load rating analysis and posting results according to the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI)/National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), and TDOT policy, procedure, standards, specifications, and computerized program protocols.
• Collaborate with TDOT divisions, FHWA, and other external stakeholders.
• Use critical thinking and engineering judgment to problem solve and make well-informed decisions that increase the safety, performance, sustainability, and efficient delivery of TDOT’s transportation system.
• Ensure Bridge Performance deliverables are accurate, consistent, predictable, and repeatable to provide high levels of achievement, risk mitigation, and an established track record of success.
• Assist the Structures Section as needed on various reviews and tasks within the team.
• Coordinate with the Bridge Performance Team regarding rating analysis outputs, load rating postings, and repair needs.
• Provide input for the development of a Consultant Acquisition Plan (CAP) for bridge performance services by serving on selection committees for professional engineering services under the Brooks Act. Assist with Request For Proposal (RFP) development, attend project-specific marketing meetings, determine scoring criteria, assist with project information sessions, serve as a scorer, negotiate contracts, attend de-briefs for consultants, and monitor contract compliance.
• Participate in the review of local program contracts and bid documents to ensure TDOT specifications, policies, and procedures are included and provide concurrence on bid packages.
• Assist in the preparation of project proposals and bid files.
• Assist in managing the handling and coordination of Bid Authorization Forms and Bid Conditioning Letters.
• Support the execution of final contracts through TDOT’s awards process.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers, including mentoring and technical guidance related to bridge performance, coordinating with other disciplines, exercising effective listening skills, providing prompt responses, maintaining complete and accurate documentation, and communicating effectively.

Additional Responsibilities (Transportation Engineering Specialist 4)

• Coordinate with the TDOT Technical Training Director and assist in the development and presentation of training addressing the bridge and structures performance training program, oversight of local programs, acquired knowledge, risk management, TDOT performance metrics, governing rules and processes, reporting procedures, and emerging technologies related to transportation.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of all State Specifications, Special Provisions, Circular Letters, and applicable standard guidance.
• Assist with shop drawing reviews.
• Provide innovative recommendations and solutions utilizing technology such as drones and 3D modeling for Bridge Performance activities.

Skills

• For all levels:
  • Knowledge of engineering principles as they relate to transportation projects.
  • Proficiency in the use of computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems.
  • Basic technical writing skills.
  • Effective communication and professional interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Time management to ensure assignments are completed.
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving to make informed decisions.
  • Ability to learn and apply technical concepts to work.
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
  • High degree of accuracy in work.
• For Engineering Specialist II and III:
  • Strong technical writing skills.
  • Ability to work within a project team.
  • Ability to manage time and prioritize work items to ensure project assignments are completed.
• For Engineering Specialist III:
  • Ability to resolve conflicts, coach, and mentor others, and support a culture of accountability, collaboration, and accomplishment.
  • Ability to coordinate with the Project Manager and Project Team to proactively identify and resolve complex, multidisciplinary issues impacting project scope, schedule, and/or budget.