Bridge Inspector Career 1

[mogug]

I am a PE/SE with about 8 years of design experience in general civil structures (non-bridge) and buildings. I am thinking I would like to steer my career towards bridge design. I saw a job posting recently for a bridge inspector position. I am interested because it seems like it would be a great way to learn about bridges before getting into actual design work (working outdoors is a plus too). But I really know nothing of what safety inspection of in-service bridges is all about, so fill me in:

1. What do bridge inspectors do?
2. FHWA Training Class - What is it? I assume my employer would send me to this prior to heading out in the field?
3. Who is your typical inspector (experience level, license, age)? Do they inspect full time or is it mixed with design work?
4. Is it dangerous (hanging off side of bridge, traffic, etc)?
5. Future outlook? I would think this is a position that would always be in demand.
6. Hours (days, nights, weekends, etc.)?

Any other info is appreciated. I have discovered the FHWA prerequisite course online and have started watching.

 

[bridgebuster]

A few thoughts, from one who has performed 500+ bridge inspections.

1. What do bridge inspectors do? Just what the name implies
2. FHWA Training Class - What is it? I assume my employer would send me to this prior to heading out in the field? Two week training class; very expensive; required by some DOT's; refresher course is required every few years.
3. Who is your typical inspector (experience level, license, age)? Team leaders are generally younger people, 5 to 10 years experience with a PE. Do they inspect full time or is it mixed with design work? Depends on your employer. I was a team leader on biennials way back when I just got my PE; did it full time for 15 months.
4. Is it dangerous (hanging off side of bridge, traffic, etc)? What do you think?
5. Future outlook? I would think this is a position that would always be in demand. Federal law mandates bridge inspection every two years; good team leaders are always in demand. DOT people want someone they know and trust. If you're good you'll always have a job; of course are you willing to do this day in and day out for the next 30 years? It gets old fast.
6. Hours (days, nights, weekends, etc.)? Yes, yes, and yes. It all depends on when you can get access. In NYC there are times when a lane closure is only available at night; if you're working on or over a railroad you're at their mercy.

You can download the FHWA bridge inspection manual or see if your state DoT has one. NYSDOT has a very comprehensive manual. Some other things you should brush up on: Fracture critical members; fatigue prone details; structural redundancy. Since you do not have any bridge experience I doubt some one will hire you as a team leader. As I mentioned above, DOT's want people they know and trust. Maybe you can work as an inspection team member working under a PE.

 

[a7x1984]

Agree with bridgebuster.

If you REALLY want to switch, your chances of being recruited will be slightly higher if you try employment at a DOT office. Private firms with DOT contracts aren't going to be as forgiving with your previous experience.

In Russia building design you!

 

[Hemifun]

I pretty much agree with everything that bridgebuster has told you. Only thing is that some states, PA for example, do not require Team Leaders to be PEs. I spent several years inspecting bridges in NY and PA and absolutely loved it. I always worked for consultants and not a DOT which meant you didn't know who you would be working for or in what region you would be working from contract cycle to contract cycle. That was 1 of the reasons I finally quit inspecting because if you wanted to stay in 1 region you usually had to change firms every time the contracts were renewed. Also, I didn't know physically how much longer I could go on because it is a somewhat demanding job hauling ladders up and down embankments, over rip-rap, across streams, setting up extension ladders dozens of times a day in streams and uneven terrain, climbing on truss bridges, etc. It is definately a job for younger people and my back, which kept me out of Viet Nam when I got my greetings from Uncle Sam, was not getting any better.