Bridge Inspector 1
State of Iowa
RecentPosted Mar 6
✓ Fresh Listing
Posted: March 17, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Bridge Special Projects Engineer (TE Senior)
State of Iowa
645 Iowa Department of Transportation
Location
Iowa, 50319
Salary
$45.02 - $64.06
per hour
Type
Full-Time
More Engineering jobs →Closes
March 30, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves inspecting and maintaining bridges along Iowa's borders, managing special projects like drone inspections and sign structure checks, and preparing reports on bridge conditions to ensure safe travel.
It's ideal for an experienced civil engineer who enjoys teamwork, problem-solving in outdoor settings, and working with transportation infrastructure.
A positive attitude and commitment to safety make someone a great fit for this role in a supportive state agency.
Key Requirements
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa, with ongoing continuing education
- Completion of National Bridge Inspection Standards training course
- FAA Remote Pilot Certification obtained within one year of hire
- Valid driver's license
- Training in fall protection and occupational safety
- Experience in civil engineering, particularly bridge inspection and maintenance
- Ability to travel, including overnight, and work a flexible M-F schedule
Full Job Description
Are you an experienced civil engineer looking for a challenging opportunity to support the traveling public?
How about an environment where teamwork, customer service, and a positive attitude are valued?
Our Bridges & Structures Bureau is looking to hire a full-time Bridge Special Projects Engineer to be part of a team working with the Inspection and Maintenance Unit on border bridge inspections and special projects as needed.
As a Bridge Special Projects Engineer (Transportation Engineer Senior), you’ll play a vital role in the Maintenance & Inspection Unit. Some of your typical duties will include:
- Conduct a "border" bridge inspection program for nineteen bridges, including fourteen over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, as well as a "border" bridge maintenance program for 38 jointly owned bridges involving five adjacent states.
- Manage a program to inspect/maintain overhead sign trusses, cantilever sign/signal support structures, high mast lighting towers, and bridge-mounted signs.
- Prepare bridge condition reports for a portion of the bridges inspected each year by the six field inspection teams.
- Conduct Routine Inspections when requested by the Bridge Maintenance Engineer.
- Manage a program to monitor/evaluate pin and hanger connections in steel bridges.
- The incumbent manages a drone program to inspect areas on bridges and ancillary structures that are difficult to access with other methods.
Special Requirements:
- Responsible for maintaining a professional engineer license by meeting continuing education requirements and all other professional obligations required by the State of Iowa.
- Successfully complete a comprehensive bridge inspection training course required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards within a period of time designated by the appointing authority at the time of appointment.
- Learn and understand the occupational hazards and safety precautions related to the job through Fall Protection Classes.
- Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
- Possess or obtain within one year of hire and maintain a FAA Remote Pilot Certification.
Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation.
To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.
Location: Ames, Iowa
Work Hours:Days M-F, Flex schedule; some travel required including some overnight.
The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE.
We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership.
As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:
- Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
- Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
- Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).
We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!
You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply now!
The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal-opportunity employer.
If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us
Reasonable accommodation such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov
Qualifications
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:1) All of the following (a and b):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Four years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Three years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes 18 months of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer Specialist or Transportation Engineer Manager.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Additional Information
Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.At this time, we're not considering applicants who need any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States.
This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO: F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information on work authorization needs, please use the following links.
Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants
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