Transportation Construction Inspector

THE POSITION Would you thrive in a role where you could help with keeping Pennsylvania's roads and bridges safe for everyone? As a Transportation Construction Inspector with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), you will play a key role in reviewing construction work and supporting major infrastructure projects. This position allows you to acquire valuable technical skills while working outdoors with experienced teams. If you are ready to enhance your technical talents while supporting public safety, we want to meet you! DESCRIPTION OF WORK This position focuses on inspecting bridges and related structures to ensure construction work meets required standards and safety expectations. Through your work, you will support accurate documentation, field inspections, and coordination with project staff. As a Transportation Construction Inspector, you will perform the following duties: * Bridge Inspection: Inspect bridge components, record conditions, and assist with evaluating structural elements * Field Documentation: Prepare inspection reports, collect data, and maintain required project records * Condition Assessment: Identify deterioration, damage, or safety concerns on bridges and related structures * Project Coordination: Work with project teams, agencies, and contractors to support construction activities * Survey Assistance: Assist with measurements, sketches, and inventory of structures and related features * Quality Review: Check that construction work and materials follow approved plans, codes, and specifications Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. Work Schedule and Additional Information: * Full-time employment * Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. * Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position. * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: * One year as an Engineering Technician (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or * Two years as a Transportation Technician or Construction Cost Technician 1 (Commonwealth job titles or equivalent Federal Government job titles, as determined by the Office of Administration); or * Three years of experience in highway or bridge surveying, design, construction, or inspection work; or * Three years of experience in quality control of materials or building or construction industry experience, which includes reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, or schematics; or * One year of construction inspection experience, and an associate's degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, surveying engineering technology, or a closely related engineering technology; or * An equivalent combination of experience and training. Special Requirements: * This position requires possession of an active non-commercial Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License or equivalent. Other Requirements: * You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. * You must be able to perform essential job functions. How to Apply: * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. * Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. * Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. * All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. Veterans: * Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. EXAMINATION INFORMATION * Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). * Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. * Your score is valid for this specific posting only. * You must provide complete and accurate information or: * your score may be lower than deserved. * you may be disqualified. * You may only apply/test once for this posting. * Your results will be provided via email. Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator. Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.* Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.* Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box. * Eligibility rules apply. 01 Special Requirement - Do you possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension? * Yes * No 02 If you answered "Yes" to the above question, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below. 03 Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as an Engineering Technician for one or more years full-time? * Yes * No 04 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 05 Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Transportation Technician or Construction Cost Technician 1 for two or more years full-time? * Yes * No 06 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 07 How many years of full-time construction inspection experience do you possess? * 3 years or more * 2 but less than 3 years * 1 but less than 2 years * Less than 1 year * None 08 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 09 How many years of full-time experience in highway or bridge surveying, design, construction, or inspection work do you possess? * 3 years or more * 2 but less than 3 years * 1 but less than 2 years * Less than 1 year * None 10 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 11 How many years of full-time experience in quality control of materials or building or construction industry experience, which includes reading and interpreting blueprints, plans, or schematics do you possess? * 3 years or more * 2 but less than 3 years * 1 but less than 2 years * Less than 1 year * None 12 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 13 How much college level credits have you completed in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, surveying engineering technology, or a closely related engineering technology? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. * 120 credits or more * 90 but less than 120 credits * 60 but less than 90 credits * 30 but less than 60 credits * Less than 30 credits * None 14 You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions. Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions. If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page. * Yes 15 WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - BRIDGES AND ROADWAYS Conducts safety inspections of bridges to assess their physical condition. Evaluates bridge structural members , foundations, supports, and other components for deficiencies or signs of damage or wear. Performs measurements, takes photographs, and draws sketches to support findings. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience conducting bridge safety inspections for signs of damage or wear. * B. I have experience inspecting bridge construction projects for quality of workmanship and adherence to applicable engineering and construction standards. I do not have bridge safety inspection experience. * C. I have experience performing work in the design or construction of bridges. I do not have inspection experience. * D. I have experience performing work in the design, construction, or inspection of roadways. I do NOT have experience in the design, construction, or inspection of bridges. * E. I have NO experience related to this work behavior. 16 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. * Your experience conducting bridge safety inspections. * The actual duties you performed related to the design, construction, or inspection of bridges or roadways. * Your level of responsibility. 17 WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION Records information from bridge inspections into logs, spreadsheets, or standardized forms. Documents findings and recommendations in narrative technical reports. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience writing technical reports which contain findings or recommendations. * B. I have experience recording findings onto logs, spreadsheets, or standardized forms. I do NOT have experience writing technical reports. * C. I have experience developing written materials to share information with others. My experience does NOT include writing technical reports which contain findings or recommendations or recording findings. * D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to technical writing, report writing, or business writing. * E. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior. 18 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. * The actual duties you performed related to written documentation. * The type(s) of reports you wrote or information you recorded. * Your level of responsibility. 19 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours 20 WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - PLANS, DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND STANDARDS Reads and interprets highway construction drawings, plans, specifications, and standards. Levels of Performance Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. * A. I have experience reading and interpreting HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION plans, drawings, specifications, and standards. * B. I have experience reading and interpreting plans, drawings, specifications, and standards UNRELATED to highway construction. * C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to engineering drawing, blueprint reading, architectural design, or surveying. * D. I have NO experience or coursework related to this work behavior. 21 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. * The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. * The actual duties you performed related to reading and interpreting plans, drawings, specifications, and standards, including the type(s). * Your level of responsibility. 22 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. * College/University * Course Title(s) * Credits/Clock Hours Required Question Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Address 613 North Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website