What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inspector, Transportation Construction position at SB Thomas & Associates?
Are you passionate about assessing buildings for safety, compliance, and performance and inspecting construction projects firsthand?? We are seeking dedicated and detail-oriented Inspectors to join our dynamic team. We currently seek candidates who reside in Pittsburgh for our customer projects.
We are SB Thomas & Associates, recently awarded the Pennsylvania Small Business Owner of 2025 by the SBA, and a certified woman-owned, disadvantaged, small business enterprise (WDBE). We provide construction management, government contracting technical assistance, and grant writing and grant administration services to its clients. Established in 2009, we have built a company culture that embraces innovation, new ways of doing things, and better ways to service clients. We understand the impact of how small parts of a process affect the bigger picture. We take action. We have passion and purpose for our jobs and our roles in the company.
In this role, the Inspector:
Performs technical inspections of highway or bridge construction projects or materials testing work, which involves project safety, project records control, major highway occupancy construction, reconstruction projects, or contractor cost payment. Work involves projects that are characterized by operations, such as roadway overlays, widening, stabilization, earthwork, guide rail installation, and drainage. Work also consists of performing inspections of existing bridges as part of the bridge inspection program; interpreting contract requirements through analysis of specifications and drawings; and applying various testing and inspection techniques. Work requires independent judgment in making technical decisions. Work is assigned with general direction by a technical supervisor who reviews work for results attained.
PRIMARY/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
•Performs inspections of highway construction projects for compliance with contract requirements and department standards and specifications.
• Performs quality assurance testing of materials, including obtaining and preparing material samples, preparing documentation on sampling and testing, and ensuring materials conform to contract requirements and department standards and specifications.
• Schedules and controls test procedures for the quality of embankment compaction control, nuclear testing, and random soils sampling programs.
• Ensures proper maintenance of nuclear testing devices.
• Conducts training for personnel to become qualified in nuclear testing operations.
• Conducts training for personnel associated with project construction to ensure compliance with project safety standards.
• Prepares or assists the project supervisor in preparing project documentation, periodic cost estimates, and progress reports summarizing the project work activities, including records of labor, material, and equipment used.
• Performs calculations to compute quantities of work performed and materials used to prepare documentation for contractor payment.
• Performs or assists with bridge safety inspections on existing bridges, including bridge structural members, foundations, supports, and components.
• Prepares bridge inspection reports documenting findings regarding the current condition and deficiencies.
• Compiles bridge data and records measurements using inspection equipment and by preparing drawings and taking photographs.
• Updates the bridge management system with data gathered during inspections.
• Inspects highway occupancy plans and sites before and after completion for compliance with specifications.
• Inspects and performs tests on aggregate, concrete, and bituminous products at vendor or project status locations to ensure compliance with specifications and standard.
• Travels to field sites to perform inspections.
• Performs related work as required.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
We are SB Thomas & Associates, recently awarded the Pennsylvania Small Business Owner of 2025 by the SBA, and a certified woman-owned, disadvantaged, small business enterprise (WDBE). We provide construction management, government contracting technical assistance, and grant writing and grant administration services to its clients. Established in 2009, we have built a company culture that embraces innovation, new ways of doing things, and better ways to service clients. We understand the impact of how small parts of a process affect the bigger picture. We take action. We have passion and purpose for our jobs and our roles in the company.
In this role, the Inspector:
Performs technical inspections of highway or bridge construction projects or materials testing work, which involves project safety, project records control, major highway occupancy construction, reconstruction projects, or contractor cost payment. Work involves projects that are characterized by operations, such as roadway overlays, widening, stabilization, earthwork, guide rail installation, and drainage. Work also consists of performing inspections of existing bridges as part of the bridge inspection program; interpreting contract requirements through analysis of specifications and drawings; and applying various testing and inspection techniques. Work requires independent judgment in making technical decisions. Work is assigned with general direction by a technical supervisor who reviews work for results attained.
PRIMARY/ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
•Performs inspections of highway construction projects for compliance with contract requirements and department standards and specifications.
• Performs quality assurance testing of materials, including obtaining and preparing material samples, preparing documentation on sampling and testing, and ensuring materials conform to contract requirements and department standards and specifications.
• Schedules and controls test procedures for the quality of embankment compaction control, nuclear testing, and random soils sampling programs.
• Ensures proper maintenance of nuclear testing devices.
• Conducts training for personnel to become qualified in nuclear testing operations.
• Conducts training for personnel associated with project construction to ensure compliance with project safety standards.
• Prepares or assists the project supervisor in preparing project documentation, periodic cost estimates, and progress reports summarizing the project work activities, including records of labor, material, and equipment used.
• Performs calculations to compute quantities of work performed and materials used to prepare documentation for contractor payment.
• Performs or assists with bridge safety inspections on existing bridges, including bridge structural members, foundations, supports, and components.
• Prepares bridge inspection reports documenting findings regarding the current condition and deficiencies.
• Compiles bridge data and records measurements using inspection equipment and by preparing drawings and taking photographs.
• Updates the bridge management system with data gathered during inspections.
• Inspects highway occupancy plans and sites before and after completion for compliance with specifications.
• Inspects and performs tests on aggregate, concrete, and bituminous products at vendor or project status locations to ensure compliance with specifications and standard.
• Travels to field sites to perform inspections.
• Performs related work as required.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
- High school diploma or equivalent, required with experience in construction, inspection, maintenance, or related field.
- Associates’ degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, surveying engineering technology, or a closely related engineering technology, a plus.
- Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in highway and bridge inspection.
- Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in building construction.
- Knowledge of the procedures and techniques involved in the collection and evaluation of technical data.
- Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in performing tests on construction materials.
- Knowledge of the principles surrounding the use of natural and manufactured materials and their placement in construction.
- Knowledge of the use and functionality of standard office equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret construction codes, plans, standards, and specifications.
- Ability to perform required computations, cost estimates, and calculations.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications with a strong emphasis on MS Excel and Teams.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills including ability to perform multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and ability to work independently.
- Must possess company values of Entrepreneurial Spirit, Results, Integrity and Customer Focus
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must travel to client sites in the Pittsburgh/PA region.
- Generally, the work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. with a half-hour to hour unpaid lunch period depending on assigned work and schedule. Additionally, this position may require working night shifts on occasion based on project needs.
- Ability to work in densely equipped mechanical and electrical spaces requiring dedicated focus on safety protocol.
- Must be able to walk, stand, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, as well as balance, climb stairs and ladders to evaluate interior and exterior of buildings.
- Frequently reach, repetitive use of hands and fingers for keyboard interaction
- Ability to operate an electronic tablet in the field for live data collection.