In the Washington State Department of Transportation, Bridge and Structures Office or Washington State Ferries:

• Performs as a skilled bridge technician, or

• Performs entry-level professional bridge engineering tasks.

As a skilled bridge technician:

• Performs works in a variety of settings and functional areas under general supervision.

• Bridge Design Section or Washington State Ferries: serves as an As-Built Plan Internet Coordinator; or performs tasks such as: preparing preliminary and complete Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) contract plans utilizing structural detailing CAD software from structural detail sketches provided by bridge design engineers. Prepares bridge quantity or similar calculations.

• Bridge Preservation Office: performs a variety of the following functions a majority of the time:

• Performs simple non-destructive testing (NDT) inspections. Writes inspection reports such as; Bridge Inspection Report (BIR), Washington State Bridge Inventory System (WSBIS), Fracture Critical (FC), In-depth, Paint, Inventory, Special Features, for bridges of intermediate complexity. Coordinates trip schedules, retrieves information, and coordinates equipment scheduling for inspection trips.

• Operates Under Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT) bucket for two or three-man inspections. Writes procedures for FC, special, and underwater inspections. Builds and maintains data tables, or spreadsheets for master list (UBIT, FC, Underwater, Bridge Repair list, cracked steel bridges, deficient bridges, railroad, wading). Reviews underwater reports.

• Utilizes advanced knowledge/ability of software for CAD, spreadsheet, database, and word processor operations. Performs analysis for super load permits. Load rates simple timber bridges. Performs manual sufficiency rating calculations.

As an entry level engineering professional:

• Bridge Design Section, Washington State Ferries, or Bridge Preservation Office: under close supervision and guidance, makes mathematical computations associated with the structural analysis of bridges and other transportation structures. These positions differ from Bridge Engineer 2 positions in that Bridge Engineer 1’s do not generally have the responsibility for making independent engineering decisions, but rather of supplying simple and routine structural analysis support for other engineers. While the responsibility and technical requirements of a Bridge Engineer 1 position may be equivalent to those of a Bridge Engineer 2 in some situations, a Bridge Engineer 1 will not be expected to display the adaptability and capacity to apply professional knowledge to new situations that are expected of a Bridge Engineer 2.

Bridge Design Section

• Stress analysis of individual bridge elements

• Bridge geometry calculations

• Preparation of a preliminary bridge plan for a simple bridge (such as a single span concrete bridge)

• Preparation of structural sketches

Washington State Ferries

• Stress analysis of individual fender system and dock structural elements

• Design of timber dolphin repairs

• Preparation of structural sketches

Bridge Preservation

• Rates simple bridges

Extracts Bridge and culvert inventory data from contract plans for entry into the WSBIS and BMS systems;

Communicates with regional inspectors and project engineers for scheduling inspections of new bridges;

Maintains inventory information received from Federal, State, County, City, and private entities for storage/removal in filing systems;

Participates as a member of an inspection team during routine and in-depth structural inspections of highway structures to determine their structural adequacy; this includes the use of non-destructive testing methods on fracture critical members;

Operates Under Bridge Inspection Truck (UBIT);

Compiles Fracture Critical and Routine Inspection reports and recommended repairs;

Computes load carrying capacity of bridges from information taken in the field; maintains files of bridge ratings and other pertinent data;

Creates and maintains computer-based reports from corporate databases used for engineering and inspection functions;

Performs Computer-Aided detailing from sketches and direction provided by bridge design engineers; prepares preliminary and finished drawings in connection with the design, construction, maintenance and alteration of reinforced concrete, steel and timber bridges, and drainage structures;

Prepares scaled plans and elevations, isometric and perspective drawings, shop working drawings and other related material, in accordance with instructions and orders of design engineers; secures standard drawings and details from files and incorporates such material in completed designs;

Prepares materials lists and computes quantities for use in preparing cost estimates;

Performs structural analysis and geometry calculations for simple transportation structures and components;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: research files documents; fundamental principles in the discipline of civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering; drafting.

Ability to: operate computers; calculate quantities; utilize computers for structural analysis.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

For bridge technician positions:

• Two years experience as a Bridge Technician 2 in the WSDOT Bridge and Structures Office, or equivalent,

OR

• Two years of experience as a Transportation Technician 2, or equivalent, which includes at least 6 months experience reading civil engineering plans, and the ability to produce engineering drawings with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD).

For bridge engineering professional positions:

• A Bachelor of Science degree involving major study in civil, mechanical, electrical, or structural engineering. Possession of an Engineer-In-Training certificate will be substituted for education.

OR

Equivalent education/experience

Note: Possession of a valid driver's license may be required. Some positions may also require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), without air brakes restriction

Revised code (formerly 6645), title (formerly Junior Bridge Engineer), definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications: November 13, 1981
Revised minimum qualifications: April 13, 1984
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, and minimum qualifications: November 9, 2001
New class code: (formerly 66400) effective July 1, 2007.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.