Project Bridge Inspection Team Leader

The Opportunity

RS&H is seeking a Bridge Inspection Team Leader / Qualified Team Leader (QTL) to join our growing Bridge Inspection & Preservation team.

If you enjoy being in the field, seeing new places, and taking on different inspection challenges, this role offers the opportunity to work on a wide variety of structures and inspection programs throughout the United States.

One assignment might involve leading a routine bridge inspection crew, while the next could include a complex structure, ancillary structures, transit infrastructure, or specialized access using UBITs, aerial lifts, boats, climbing systems, or UAS. You'll work alongside experienced inspectors and engineers while continuing to expand your technical and specialized inspection skills.

We're looking for someone who can take ownership of a field assignment - plan the inspection, lead the crew, safely access the structure, identify and document deficiencies, and deliver high-quality inspection results.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as an NBIS Qualified Team Leader and lead field inspection crews.
• Perform routine, detailed, and specialized inspections of bridges, culverts, ancillary structures, and other transportation assets.
• Plan and coordinate field activities including access, equipment, traffic control, safety, and daily inspection operations.
• Identify, measure, photograph, and document structural deficiencies and changes in condition.
• Prepare clear and accurate inspection documentation, sketches, photographs, and reports.
• Lead others in the timely and accurate completion of bridge inspection and bridge scoping reports in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Work with engineers and preservation specialists to develop maintenance, repair, and preservation recommendations based on inspection findings.
• Support bridge scoping, structural assessments, and repair and preservation evaluations between field assignments.
• Help mentor developing inspectors and engineers working toward QTL qualification.
• Remain current on federal and state level requirements to be recognized as a Qualified Team Leader, including refresher training, application, and/or field proficiency exams.
• Ensure work is completed in a safe manner.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Depending on the assignment, inspection teams may utilize UBITs, aerial lifts, ladders, boats, climbing and fall-protection systems, rope access, UAS/drones, and other specialized access methods.

Travel & Project Variety:

This position supports inspection programs throughout the United States, and travel is an important part of the role. Assignments may range from several days to more than a week and can include both urban and remote locations.

Our teams work on a variety of structure types and inspection programs, giving inspectors the opportunity to gain experience across different clients, environments, access methods, and geographic regions rather than being limited to a single bridge inventory.

Candidates should be comfortable traveling by vehicle and commercial air and working outdoors in varying weather and site conditions.

What We're Looking For:

We're looking for candidates with approximately 10-15 years of bridge or structural inspection experience who currently meet, or can readily meet, NBIS Qualified Team Leader requirements. However, we will consider candidates with less experience who meet the applicable NBIS QTL requirements.

Strong candidates will have:

• Applicable FHWA/NHI bridge inspection training.
• Experience performing bridge inspections and leading field inspection activities.
• Strong knowledge of bridge components, deterioration, structural deficiencies, and condition assessment.
• Ability to produce clear, accurate inspection documentation and reports.
• Experience working at heights, around traffic, over water, and in varying field conditions.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout the United States.
• Strong communication skills and a team-oriented approach.
• A valid driver's license and ability to travel by vehicle and commercial air.

Experience That Will Help You Stand Out:

• NSTM inspections
• Ancillary structure inspections
• Complex or major bridge inspections
• SPRAT or rope access
• NDE/NDT
• Railroad or transit structures
• Tunnel inspections
• UAS/drone operations
• UBITs, aerial lifts, or specialized access equipment
• Bridge preservation and repair
• Digital inspection platforms, GIS, reality capture, or other emerging inspection technologies
• Multiple state DOT bridge inspection qualifications

Candidates do not need to possess every specialty. We're looking for strong bridge inspectors who want to broaden their experience, work on challenging structures, and continue developing technically as part of a growing inspection team.

Why RS&H

• Our Bridge Inspection & Preservation team helps infrastructure owners understand the condition of their assets and make informed decisions about maintenance, repair, preservation, and future investment.
• You'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced inspectors, engineers, and preservation specialists while gaining exposure to projects and structures throughout the country.
• For someone who enjoys fieldwork, travel, challenging structures, new technology, and continuing to develop as an inspector, this is an opportunity to build a career around doing more than inspecting the same structures year after year.

Benefits:

• Paid Vacation, Personal Time Off, and Holiday Pay
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Certification and Licensure Support
• 100% Employee Owned Company!
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Pet Insurance
• Cellphone Stipend
• Company Vehicle
• And much more!

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Requires high school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: Typically requires a minimum of 10 years relevant experience. Candidates with less than 10 years of experience will be considered where the applicable NBIS Qualified Team Leader requirements are met.

License/Certification: Valid driver's license required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Qualification as a Team Leader can generally be accomplished by any of the five following qualification/experience combinations:

• Be a registered professional engineer, and successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.
• Have five years of bridge inspection experience and successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.
• Be certified by NICET as a Level III or IV Bridge Safety Inspector and successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.
• Have a bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university, successfully pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE or EIT) Examination, have two years of bridge inspection experience, and successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.
• Have an Associate's degree in engineering or engineering technology from an accredited college or university, have four years of bridge inspection experience, and successfully complete an FHWA-approved comprehensive bridge inspection training course.
• Must possess advanced organizational, problem-solving, prioritization, communications, and leadership skills. Must have the ability to effectively interact with and build relationships with others.

**Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer.**

Physical Demands:

• Able to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time. Occasionally required to sit and stoop.
• Able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job.
• Subject to environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.
• Able to safely operate a vehicle on the highway and on construction sites.

If this sounds like the role for you and you're ready to join an amazing team, please apply.

The anticipated salary range for this position is ($76,000 - $127,000) annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, geographic location, and other job-related factors.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.

Please note: no agency representation or submissions will be recognized for this vacancy. Candidates should apply directly to this role to be considered. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiting and employment agencies to know and adhere to our recruiting policy.

The Team

While RS&H was founded in 1941, we have been providing construction management services as one of our primary business practices since 1984.  RS&H’s Transportation-Construction Management Practice serves numerous state departments of transportation, mobility/transportation authorities, turnpike/toll authorities, rail/port authorities, municipal/county governments, and private clients throughout the United States. Our Construction Engineering and Inspections (CEI) teams as well as our Construction Management teams are industry leading experts who provide a full range of construction engineering, program management, specialized testing, and inspection services from the preconstruction phase through maintenance and operations.  By joining our team, you too can provide unique expertise in the full life cycle of transportation delivery, and lead the evolution of transportation.

The Company

Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms, with associates who work hard every day to create tomorrow together. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities, and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. We attribute our success to our unwavering commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork.