Bridge Maintenance Specialist Lead

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 leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Bridge Maintenance Specialist Lead to join the Olympic Region Maintenance team in Tacoma, WA. In this leadership role, you will help ensure the safe operation, preservation, and long‑term reliability of the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Thea Foss Bridge. You will lead journey‑level bridge maintenance employees while performing skilled maintenance, repair, inspection, and emergency response activities that directly support the safety of the traveling public and your fellow employees.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine hands‑on technical expertise with crew leadership, helping maintain some of Washington’s most recognizable transportation structures. Success in this role requires a strong commitment to safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, and stewardship while supporting WSDOT’s mission of providing safe, reliable, and cost‑effective transportation.

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

• Lead and coordinate journey-level bridge maintenance crews performing maintenance, repair, reconstruction, inspections, and electrical maintenance on the Tacoma Narrows and Thea Foss bridge systems.
• Schedule work, assign crews, coordinate equipment and resources, maintain work records, prepare project estimates, monitor inventory, and support accident investigations and reporting.
• Train employees on equipment operation, safety practices, bridge maintenance techniques, and public relations while promoting a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Lead and participate in Pre‑Activity Safety Plans (PASPs), safety meetings, traffic control planning, and ensure compliance with all applicable safety requirements and work zone standards.
• Perform journey‑level maintenance, structural repairs, painting, rigging, staging, preventative maintenance, and rehabilitation of bridge components, mechanical systems, and elevated structures.
• Operate, inspect, and maintain specialized bridge access equipment, cranes, scaffolding, rigging systems, and other specialized equipment used to safely perform work at height.
• Perform snow and ice control activities, including operating truck‑mounted equipment, applying anti‑icing materials, hauling maintenance materials, and maintaining stockpile locations.
• Conduct routine and post‑event bridge inspections, document findings, and enter maintenance activities into designated software systems.
• Inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair bridge electrical systems, navigation lighting, obstruction lighting, emergency generators, transformers, and related electrical equipment.
• Support statewide bridge preservation efforts by providing specialized access for inspections and assisting with emergency deployment of portable Bailey Bridges.
• Respond to emergency incidents including bridge strikes, storm events, traffic control operations, roadway closures, hazardous material spills, and other emergency response activities.

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

• Leadership
  :
  Demonstrated ability to lead Bridge Maintenance Specialists by establishing clear expectations, promoting accountability, ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards, and supporting employee development through effective communication and coaching.
• Collaborative Partnership & Customer Focus
  :
  Proven ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners to achieve shared goals and deliver effective service.
• Safety & Technical Knowledge
  :
  Demonstrated knowledge of workplace safety…