Transportation Specialist I

Position Information

TxDOT's Houston District is seeking a Transportation Specialist to join us in the delivery of essential projects in the Southeast Harris-Metro region. Depending on skill level, this employee will perform or learn to perform all facets of bridge repair design, roadway design, and plan assembly. Duties include working in a CAD environment (Microstation) using roadway design software and requires some field work to collect data in support of the design process. This position will be located in our Southeast Harris Area Office and will help support repairs to our existing infrastructure and new upcoming construction projects. Typical design projects include bridge repairs, roadway repairs, and roadway construction. TxDOT offers a rewarding blend of professional challenge, teamwork, outstanding training programs, opportunity for growth and advancement, and work/life balance.

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance (ERS.texas.gov)

Position Description

Transportation Specialist I

Provides technical expertise and coordination for transportation programs involving design, building construction projects, construction of transportation systems, traffic operations, maintenance of highways and facilities, or bridge inspection and appraisal in accordance with Department standards. Assists with project planning and the development of policies and procedures for area of responsibility. Work requires contact with governmental officials, consultants, contractors and private entities. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Essential Duties:

• Assists in prioritizing and scheduling projects.
• Assists with project assignments and determining work requirements to complete project plans and coordinates scheduling to accommodate projects already underway.
• Assists with project design involving design calculations and sketches of plans, layouts and typical sections.
• Conducts immediate inspection of damaged bridges, determines necessity of temporary or permanent repairs and notifies maintenance personnel; makes recommendations for the closing of bridges.
• Coordinates compilation of complete plan packages for submission to the responsible engineer or architect for review and signature.
• Coordinates design work among TxDOT entities, consultants and contractors.
• Coordinates with roadway design on schematics and reviews in-house and consultant traffic control plans or traffic projects.
• Develops site layouts utilizing engineering workstations and software.
• Ensures compliance with specifications for devices; safety laws, rules, and regulations; and the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Prepares bridge inspection follow-up worksheet for maintenance and gives instruction for recommended actions; monitors follow-up actions taken by maintenance.
• Reviews and revises Plans, Specifications & Estimates and project designs for traffic control devices, signals, signs, markings, detours, traffic control plans, roadway illumination, traffic management systems or Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).

Minimum Qualifications:

Education : Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Experience : 2 years transportation design, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, bridge inspection experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent).

Licenses and Certifications : Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Competencies:

• Considerable knowledge of:
  • Applicable plans, specifications and estimates preparation, review, processing and compliance requirements
  • Construction engineering policies and procedures
  • Pavement design and management processes and procedures
  • Design and plan preparation methods and requirements
  • The Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
  • Roadway maintenance concepts, methods and procedures
• Some knowledge of
  • Preventive maintenance methods and procedures
• Proficient skill in:
  • Applying engineering principles, practices, and methods in job responsibilities
  • Reading and interpreting applicable plans, schematics, blueprints and maps
  • Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to environmental conditions; protection from weather but not temperature changes
• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Sedentary work: Lift up to 10 lbs. at a time and occasionally carry files/small tools
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Close Visual Acuity - work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading

Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• For Bridge Inspection: Must have completed a comprehensive training course based on the Bridge Inspector's Training Manual or NICET Level III or IV certification in Bridge Safety Inspection within (1) year of date of hire.