Lead Inspector; TE

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Lead Inspector (Transportation Engineer
3) to join our Construction Inspection team and help ensure transportation projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with contract requirements. In this role, you will lead a team responsible for inspecting and verifying contractor work to ensure compliance with Standard Specifications, Contract Specifications, and Contract Plans. This position plays a key role in promoting environmental stewardship while overseeing sampling, testing, and documentation of materials incorporated into construction projects.

You will maintain strong communication with project teams, contractors, supervisors, specialty groups, local agencies, and other stakeholders, while making timely field decisions to support project delivery. This position also mentors staff and ensures accurate, timely completion of project documentation needed to support contractor payment and successful project outcomes.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Lead Inspector will:

• Lead a construction inspection team and manage multiple transportation construction projects to ensure quality, safety, and contract compliance.
• Coordinate project delivery with contractors, WSDOT staff, external agencies, and the public to support timely and efficient completion.
• Evaluate field conditions, anticipate potential issues, and provide guidance to inspection staff to support effective decision-making.
• Plan and monitor inspection and materials testing activities to verify work meets contract specifications, budget, schedule, and permit requirements.
• Oversee inspection documentation and contractor activities, including IDRs, pay notes, submittals, materials acceptance, RFIs, and consultant oversight.
• Communicate project status, emerging risks, and changes in scope, schedule, or budget to managers, the Office Engineer, and specialty groups.
• Ensure environmental compliance by reviewing and applying permit requirements and supporting constructability and design-phase project reviews.
• Mentor engineers and technicians by providing training, evaluating performance, assigning work, supporting hiring efforts, and addressing employee concerns.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Experience coordinating with multiple people and managing multiple construction projects.

• Knowledge of highway construction procedures, including inspection, materials testing, documentation, and application of Standard Specifications.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices, and methods related to the construction of transportation projects.
• Experience developing and proposing alternative solutions to complex project elements in coordination with internal experts and external agencies.
• Ability to solve engineering problems of varying complexity using strong mathematical skills.

• Experience writing and verbally communicating clear, factual, tactful, and concise technical and administrative information to a diverse audience.
• Ability to present project information to supervisors, management, and stakeholders.

• Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

• Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
• Ability…