Are you an experienced civil engineer looking for a challenging opportunity to support the traveling public? How about an environment where teamwork, customer service, and a positive attitude are valued? Our Bridges & Structures Bureau is looking to hire a full-time Bridge Special Projects Engineer to be part of a team working with the Inspection and Maintenance Unit on border bridge inspections and special projects as needed.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

Location: Ames, Iowa

Work Hours: Days Monday through Friday; flex schedule and telework available after a period of time.

As a Bridge Special Projects Engineer (Transportation Engineer Specialist), you’ll play a vital role in the Maintenance & Inspection Unit. Some of your typical duties will include:

• Conduct a "border" bridge inspection program for nineteen bridges, including fourteen over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, as well as a "border" bridge maintenance program for 38 jointly owned bridges involving five adjacent states.

• Conduct a program to inspect/maintain overhead sign trusses, cantilever sign/signal support structures, high mast lighting towers, and bridge-mounted signs.
• Prepare bridge condition reports for a portion of the bridges inspected each year by the six field inspection teams.
• Conduct Routine Inspections when requested by the Bridge Maintenance Engineer.
• Conduct a program to monitor/evaluate pin and hanger connections in steel bridges.
• The incumbent utilizes a drone to inspect areas on bridges and ancillary structures that are difficult to access with other methods.

Additional Requirements:

• Maintain a professional engineer license by meeting continuing education requirements and all other professional obligations required by the State of Iowa.
• Successfully complete a comprehensive bridge inspection training course required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards within a period of time designated by the appointing authority at the time of appointment.
• Learn and understand the occupational hazards and safety precautions related to the job through Fall Protection Classes.
• Possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
• Possess or obtain within one year of hire and maintain a FAA Remote Pilot Certification

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us! If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership

What we offer YOU:

- Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance.

- Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here.

- Opportunities for professional growth and development.

- Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.

- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match

- Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.

- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling, legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

Reasonable accommodation includes an interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) All of the following (a and b):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering.
2) All of the following (a, b, and c):
a. Licensure as a professional engineer; and
b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and
c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.
Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.