Senior Construction Inspector

Senior Construction Inspector

Woolpert is an award-winning, global leader in architecture, engineering, and geospatial services. We blend design excellence with cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional client value. Our team is passionate about their work and committed to building the next generation of industry leaders, and as a certified Great Place to Work®, Woolpert embraces progress and innovation to create limitless opportunities for career growth.

Position Overview

Woolpert is seeking a Senior Construction Inspector that qualifies as a Transportation Construction Inspector Supervisor (TCIS-1 or TCIS-2) for PennDOT, PA Turnpike or PA Municipal projects. This person will perform complex inspection work on infrastructure projects under minimal supervision, exercising wide latitude for independent judgment in determining compliance with plans, specifications, codes, agency standards, and contract requirements. This position leads inspection activities for assigned project areas or phases, resolves complex field conditions within contract and specification authority, and reviews and validates the documentation prepared by less-experienced inspectors. The role recommends changes to specifications, construction procedures, and work sequencing, mentors Construction Inspector I and II staff, and supports contract administration and dispute avoidance through accurate, factual field documentation.

We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must already possess work authorization in the country the job is located.

Job Duties

• Perform complex inspection activities on multi-phase infrastructure projects under minimal supervision, exercising independent judgment in determining compliance with plans, specifications, codes, and contract requirements
• Lead inspection efforts for assigned project areas or phases, including assignment of daily inspection coverage and coordination of inspection activities with project teams
• Interpret and apply complex construction documents, specifications, shop drawings, and contract requirements to evaluate field conditions and installed work
• Resolve complex field conditions and non-conformances within contract and specification authority, and escalate only matters requiring design change, cost or schedule impact, or Construction Manager decision
• Review and validate inspection reports, daily diaries, and quantity records prepared by any assigned Inspector staff, to ensure accuracy, completeness, and defensibility
• Recommend changes to specifications, construction work procedures, and schedules when field conditions warrant, and document the basis for each recommendation
• Monitor contractor performance and identify emerging risks to quality, safety, schedule, and cost, and recommend mitigation to the Construction Manager
• Verify that materials sampling, testing, and acceptance activities are performed in accordance with applicable standards, and evaluate test results against specification acceptance criteria
• Coordinate with contractors, design engineers, utility representatives, agency personnel, and Construction Managers on technical issues and work sequencing
• Ensure all inspection, testing, and documentation activities meet regulatory, agency, and project requirements across assigned project areas
• Provide guidance, mentorship, technical training, and on-the-job development to less-experienced inspectors
• Participate in progress, preconstruction, and coordination meetings, and present detailed field status, quantity, and quality updates
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution by preparing accurate documentation of field conditions, quantities, and factual observations for claims and change order review

Travel Requirements

• Must be able to travel for business purposes to assigned project sites; daily travel within the assigned region is expected
• Travel requirements may include overnight stays, holidays, and/or weekends.

Required Education

• HS Diploma or equivalent

Required Experience

• 6 years of construction inspection experience on infrastructure projects, including contract compliance, materials testing verification, quantity documentation, and daily field reporting
• 1 year of experience serving as lead or senior inspector on complex or multi-phase projects

Required Certifications, Licenses, or Training: (if applicable)

• Valid driver's license
• NICET Level II Certification or higher in Highway Construction
• NECEPT Bituminous Field Technician certification

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of construction methods, materials, and means used on infrastructure projects, including asphalt paving, drainage, utilities, guiderail, traffic control, traffic markings
• Advanced knowledge of local, state, and federal codes, agency specifications, and inspection standards applicable to assigned projects, including state DOT standard specifications
• Advanced knowledge of materials sampling, testing, and acceptance criteria for soils, aggregate, concrete, and asphalt, and the ability to evaluate test results against specification requirements
• Knowledge of quality assurance and quality control processes, including non-conformance identification, corrective action tracking, and verification of resolution
• Knowledge of construction sequencing, scheduling methods, and the ability to relate field progress to the project schedule
• Knowledge of contract administration practices, including quantity measurement and payment, change orders, claims documentation, and dispute avoidance
• Ability to independently determine compliance of complex or multi-phase work with plans, specifications, and contract requirements
• Ability to lead inspection efforts for assigned project areas, including coordination of inspection coverage and activities
• Ability to resolve complex field conditions within contract authority and to recognize when a matter requires escalation
• Ability to review and validate inspection documentation prepared by others for accuracy, completeness, and defensibility
• Ability to recommend changes to specifications, construction procedures, and schedules, and to document the technical basis for each recommendation
• Ability to mentor, train, and provide technical direction to less-experienced inspectors
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills for contractor coordination, agency interaction, meeting presentation, and technical reporting
• Proficiency with inspection software, digital field reporting tools, and standard office applications
• Ability to safely navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain, adverse weather, and operational equipment environments

Preferred Education

• Associate's degree or higher in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or related field

Preferred Experience

• 8 years of construction inspection experience on infrastructure projects
• 2 years of experience serving as lead or senior inspector on a project site
• Experience inspecting projects for state DOT, aviation, or municipal water and wastewater agency clients
• Experience across multiple market types, including aviation, water, and transportation
• Experience supporting change order review, claims documentation, or dispute resolution

Preferred Certifications, Licenses, or Training: (if applicable)

• NICET Level III Certification or higher in Highway Construction or Construction Materials Testing Asphalt or higher;
• PennDOT Concrete Technician Certification
• ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade;
• OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Construction Certificate, or ability to obtain
• Nuclear density gauge certification and radiation safety training
• Work zone traffic control certification
• First Aid and CPR certification

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of agency-specific inspection, documentation, and reporting platforms and submittal processes
• Knowledge of advanced quality assurance and quality control systems and inspection program administration
• Knowledge of survey methods, layout verification, grade checking, and as-built documentation

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Work in both field and outdoor conditions; frequent walking on uneven terrain
• Operate and manipulate standard office and field equipment
• Occasionally reach, bend, climb, and balance
• Frequently lift/move up to 10 lbs; occasionally lift/move up to 40 lbs
• Exposure to construction site conditions, active equipment, traffic, and weather elements