Chief of Bridges and Structures (NCS) - Department of Transportation

This is a non-civil service position.

Pay

• Salary range: $117,119.00 – $193,172.00 annually
• Starting pay: $155,145.50 annually

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plans
• Optional life insurance and AD&D coverage
• Flexible spending account (FSA) plans
• Wellness programs, support groups, and workshops

About the role

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) is seeking a Chief of Bridges and Structures to lead the City's bridge and structural infrastructure program. Reporting to the Chief of Transportation Engineering and Construction, this position oversees the planning, design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of City-owned bridges and transportation structures, including pedestrian bridges, retaining walls, culverts, tunnels, and related infrastructure. The Chief will manage a portfolio of capital projects, oversee engineering and construction contracts, establish infrastructure investment priorities, and ensure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. The position requires strong project delivery experience, knowledge of federal transportation funding requirements, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure projects from planning through construction.

Responsibilities

• Capital Project Delivery: Lead bridge and structural infrastructure projects from planning and design through procurement and construction, with responsibility for schedules, budgets, and successful delivery. Incorporate Complete Streets principles into bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects, including retrofitting existing structures to improve pedestrian and bicycle access, safety, and connectivity.
• Capital Program Development: Utilize data obtained from bridge inspection reports, transportation plans, and City initiatives to develop a multi-year capital program for bridge rehabilitations and replacements.
• Federal Funding: Oversee federally funded transportation projects, including coordination with FHWA and MDOT SHA, compliance with federal-aid requirements, grant administration, and reimbursement.
• Alternative Delivery: Evaluate and implement project delivery methods, including Design-Build and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), to accelerate delivery, manage costs, and improve construction outcomes.
• Bridge Inspection and Asset Management: Oversee bridge inspection, load rating, maintenance, and asset management programs. Translate inspection findings into prioritized maintenance and capital projects, establish performance measures, and reduce the backlog of deficient structures.
• Emergency Response: Direct engineering and operational responses to bridge strikes, structural failures, emergency closures, and other incidents requiring immediate assessment, stabilization, repair, or replacement.
• Contract and Consultant Management: Direct engineering consultants, construction contractors, and construction management teams. Oversee contract performance, quality assurance, project budgets, and schedules.
• Division Leadership: Manage division staff, operating and capital budgets, procurement activities, and coordination with other City agencies and state and federal partners.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, construction, or infrastructure project delivery, including five (5) years in a supervisory or management role.
• Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Skills

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex bridge, structural, or transportation infrastructure projects, including management of design, construction, budgets, schedules, and consultant contracts.
• Experience managing federally funded transportation projects and coordinating with FHWA, MDOT SHA, or similar agencies.
• Knowledge of bridge engineering, structural inspection and maintenance, construction practices, and applicable federal and state standards.
• Knowledge of Complete Streets principles, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure design, and strategies for accommodating and prioritizing multimodal transportation on existing bridges through retrofits.
• Strong leadership, project management, financial management, and communication skills.

Additional information

• Background check: Eligible candidates under final consideration will be required to complete authorization for a criminal background check and/or fingerprint screening, which must be successfully completed.
• Probation: All persons selected for this position, including current City employees, must complete a 6-month mandatory probationary period.
• Financial disclosure: This position is required to complete a financial disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.