SR CERTIFIED UNDERWATER BRIDGE INSP - 55006285

Requisition No: 872883 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: SR CERTIFIED UNDERWATER BRIDGE INSP - 55006285

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55006285 

Salary:  $74,071.30 - $95,856.98 

Posting Closing Date: 04/09/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

338 / BRIDGE INSPECTION

OPEN COMPETITIVE

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

FULL-TIME

CONTACT PERSON: Wendy Pilcher

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 850-330-1607

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers.  Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

Sr. Certified Underwater Bridge Inspector

This position will supervise employees, coordinate inspection schedules and perform field inspections, manage all diving activities for the district, and manage bridge inspection records and bridge inventories. 

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

District 3 Headquarters

1074 Highway 90

Chipley, FL 32428

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Supervises employees spending the majority of the time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees, and planning and directing employees’ work. Has the authority to effectively recommend the hiring, transferring, suspension, layoff, recalls, promotions, discharges, assignments, rewards, or disciplinary actions for subordinate employees. Plans and directs workloads, deadlines, work objectives and time utilization with subordinate staff. Provides direction and ensures that all subordinates receive training and instruction in methods and techniques necessary to safely perform their assigned tasks.

Coordinates inspection schedules and performs field inspections on structures within the District, as required, in accordance with requirements specified in the Department’s Manual for Bridge and Other Structures Inspection and Reporting; and the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) and assures the quality of the work that is performed by other team members. Identifies evidence of stress related deterioration and physical condition of various structural components. Defines and quantifies deficiencies, identifies root causes utilizing both current and historical inspection results, by behavioral observations and makes recommendations for preventive and corrective actions. Supervises the collection of samples and on-site testing of the structures and other materials by both in-house staff and consultants.

Manage all diving activities for the District, including ensuring all diving operations are performed in accordance with Department dive procedures. Responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, inspection, repair, and calibration of underwater equipment such as, life support systems, hydrographic equipment, underwater inspection tools, and repair equipment. Participates in and directs all onsite subaqueous dive operations for the district, including performing underwater structure inspections and repairs. Responsible for ensuring all dive training, certifications, and medical physicals for the unit are properly maintained and meet Department standards. Participate in the Statewide Dive Safety Board as an active member.

Maintains bridge inspection records and bridge inventories by overseeing the preparation of a thorough and complete Inspection and Comprehensive Inventory Data Report, which clearly describes conditions of the inspected structure. Input into the Department’s database may be required.

Reviews material from previous inspections collected by subordinates including deficiencies, quantities, channel profiles, site conditions and previous work performed. Reviews field preparation information obtained from Topic F, “Field Preparation” in the Bridge Folder and verifies that supplies and materials that are required to perform field inspections are on hand. Assures that inspection and safety equipment is in good working order and calibrated when required prior to the field inspection. Operates all inspection-related equipment as necessary.

Coordinates Construction Acceptance Inspections and oversees report preparation and makes recommendations when required.

Leads other inspectors by example by being proficient in all aspects of structural inspection, in accordance with the governing documents noted above. Advises management on bridge inspection related topics including the condition of specific structures and of the inventory as a whole and makes recommendations for improvement including but not limited to participating in the Long-Range Estimate process.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• federal and state bridge inspection principles, techniques, procedures
• bridge construction and material characteristics
• testing methods for specific bridge deficiencies
• the Bridge Management System
• Comprehensive Inventory Database (CID)

Skilled in:

• Skilled in performing underwater bridge inspections
• interpreting plans and specifications
• using computers including applications such as word processing, spreadsheet programs and

• Florida Department of Transportation Mainframe
• working with internal and external customers in a tactful and courteous manner
• communicating effectively, orally and in writing
• the use of equipment required for underwater operations

Ability to:

• operate various equipment for inspection purposes such as launch and retrieval of boats
• determine work priorities and ensure proper completion of work assignments
• climb ladders, scaffolds, and bridge structures
• work outdoors and close quarters, in various weather conditions, terrains and elevations
• work from a boat or barge for extended periods to include walking, standing, crawling,

• stooping, wading, and swimming
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• supervise

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements

• Possess an Advanced Diver or Rescue Diver certification from the Professional Association for Dive Instructors or National Association for Underwater Instructors or equivalent. Certified as a Bridge Inspector by the Florida Department of Transportation. Class E Driver License Required.

This position requires a valid Class E driver license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Department’s Driver’s Record Requirements Policy. An unacceptable driving record is defined as any of the following:

1. three (3) or more moving violations in the past three (3) years that accumulate three (3) or more points per violation;
2. any two (2) convictions of reckless driving in the past three (3) years;
3. a suspension or revocation of the driver license for moving violations in the past three (3) years; and
4. a suspension or revocation for refusal to take a sobriety test, or any suspension or revocation for a DUI conviction, in the past four (4) years.

Your driving record will be reviewed and the status of your driver license confirmed.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.