Senior Construction Specialist

Initial posting date: 09/29/2026. Application deadline: 10/20/2026. First application screening scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Agency: Department of Transportation. Position type: Employee.

About the role

The Senior Construction Specialist supports ODOT's mission by ensuring that we are building a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system. In this position, you will play a key role in ensuring that projects are built with high quality and that public funds are used appropriately by assisting the resident engineer in administration of construction contracts in accordance with relevant standards and proactively resolving construction issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate field inspection activities on complex highway construction projects.
• Review contract work for compliance with plans and specifications and accept or reject work on the basis of established standards.
• Monitor activities of consultant inspectors and contractor progress on projects.
• Assign inspection work and adjust assignments to meet contractor schedules and staffing levels.
• Review and analyze contractor claims, time extension requests, and Contract Change Orders (CCO's).
• Establish and maintain responsible relations with the contractor, the public, local agencies and project personnel.
• Direct and review the work of assigned staff throughout the duration of a project.
• Provide a safe work area for workers and the traveling public through reviewing and monitoring contractor operations.
• Participate as a project development team member in the development of contract plans and specifications.
• Train personnel in construction methods, inspection, materials testing, contract documentation and administration.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in the field of engineering appropriate to the duties and responsibilities of the position AND one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods; OR Completion of and passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam AND one year of experience applying professional engineering theory, principles, and methods.

Special Qualifications: Driving is an essential function of this position. You must have a valid U.S. driver license and an acceptable driving record. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s). Your license does not have to be issued in Oregon to be considered.

Skills

• Experience in construction inspection and contract administration - Highway preferred.
• Experience interpreting construction plans and specifications.
• Experience applying knowledge of mathematics, survey principals, engineering and construction practices and procedures.

Pay

Salary range: $6,396 - $9,916 per month (non-PERS). If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• 11 paid holidays a year
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity