Floating Bridge & Special Structures Specialist; BE

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world’s longest floating bridge, executes an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT Bridge & Structures Office is seeking to fill a Bridge Engineer 7 vacancy located in Tumwater, WA. Serving as the statewide technical expert on floating bridges, the Floating Bridge and Special Structures Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing statewide design policy and managing floating bridge, movable bridge, and special structure design activities performed by the design staff and consultants.

In this role, you will also be responsible for facilitating solutions for construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair issues involving floating bridges, moveable bridges, and other special structures. This professional engineer will serve as a Senior Structural Designer/Project Coordinator on major projects and will be assigned highly specialized design assignments. Our top candidate will contribute to WSDOT’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and cost‑effective transportation by supervising designs and by providing technical expertise to support construction and preservation of highway structures contained in the WSDOT highway system.

• Perform as a Senior Structural Designer or Bridge Design Coordinator on major projects.
• Provide complex structural design work for major projects; perform Load Ratings on complex structures; review/check structural design work and track overall Project progress for conformance to schedules.
• Coordinate with Region engineering staff for successful project completion; coordinate with Construction Offices and/or Maintenance Staff to determine best methods for repairs to be made in the field.
• Review AASHTO Specifications and provide expert interpretation.
• Assist in prioritizing and conveying operational needs for budget and programming purposes.
• Act as Bridge Technical Advisor (BTA) in the support of region construction projects.
• Review plans related to the designated specialty to ensure quality control and consistency of plan details.
• Initiate, prepare reviews, and coordinate needed updates and revisions to the WSDOT Bridge Design Manual and Standard Specifications.
• Manage, develop and publish the Washington State Floating Bridge Design Manual.
• Develop and implement statewide bridge design policy for floating bridges, movable bridges and special structures of major size and complexity.
• Report to the Tumwater office at least two (2) days per week.

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

• Experience in bridge design, construction, inspection, load rating, and transportation structures.
• Proficiency in structural design and analysis using AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and Seismic Bridge Design standards.
• Knowledge of WSDOT Bridge Design Manual, Standard Specifications, and Special Provisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Knowledge and experience developing work plans, setting strategic direction, managing budgets, and monitoring progress toward goals.
• Competency in leading, mentoring, and developing staff while fostering high‑functioning teams.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including oversight of design projects and coordination with diverse stakeholders.

• Knowledge of Civil Service Rules and related WAC’s.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations.

• Strong oral and written communication abilities, including the capacity to explain complex engineering and structural concepts in clear, accessible terms.

• Actively…