Program Specialist, Senior

Please apply online at: 11611 - Prog Spec Sr SB - VDOT Careers Site Careers

Job Identification: 11916

Job Category: Architecture and Engineering Services

Location: Mechanicsville, VA

Apply Before: 03/23/2026, 11:59 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

Minimum Salary: $89,381.00

Maximum Salary: $145,244.00

Contact Name: Rick Hewlett

Contact Email: ricky.hewlett@vdot.virginia.gov

Job Description

Conduct complex analyses and provide support to assigned operational program area. Provide technical advice, guidance and training regarding assigned engineering program areas. Prepare analyses, reports, and recommendations based on engineering determinations. Provide engineering support and consultation related to engineering program area. Effectively manage assigned projects to ensure timely and accurate completion. Communicate with internal VDOT staff, local government staff, consultants, citizens and FHWA regarding transportation projects and programs. To administer a statewide program for bridge preservation activities and provide oversight of budget expenditures and to ensure compliance with program regulations and safety standards.
 

How you will contribute:

• Analysis and Technical Reporting: Analyze and interpret engineering data and information. Prepare complete, clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Bridge Maintenance Contract Evaluation: Evaluate bridge maintenance contracts and other state DOTs to determine best practices. Design and develop standard contract templates for statewide use in bridge preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation contracts. Provide guidance on template implementation. Conduct periodic assessments and evaluate feedback to determine need for revisions or edits.
• Committees: Serve as one of two VDOT representatives and member of steering committee to the AASHTO Southeast Bridge Preservation Partnership. Serve as VDOT's representative to the AASHTO Subcommittee on Maintenance. Attend annual meetings and teleconferences and perform research and other technical activities in support of committees.
• Communication: Establish an effective line of communication between VDOT, contractors, government agencies and the public. Investigate issues and resolve complaints.
• Emergency Bridge Maintenance: Evaluate district plans for emergency bridge maintenance and assess expenditure forecasts. Provide guidance on plan development, enhancements and considerations. Monitor use of funding for emergency activities and provide guidance on issues related to emergencies.
• Engineering Process Management: Use established VDOT policies and procedures in the development and delivery of engineering projects. Engineering projects are completed in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Financial Evaluation and Reporting: Evaluate district budgets, expenditure data and cost overruns and discuss report of findings with recommendations for cost containment. Assess cost effectiveness of district contracts and work performed. Develop reports on state budget program usage and recommend corrective actions. Provide guidance to district management on budget utilization enhancements. Evaluate district efforts in meeting project milestones and project management and provide recommendations.
• Manage Assigned Activities: Plan, schedule and coordinate engineering program activities such that deliverables are met within the established scope and timeline.
• POC and Advocacy: Serve as Division's administrator, advocate and point of contact for the statewide bridge preservation program. Provide guidance to district bridge maintenance management and others on complex technical issues. Evaluate district maintenance project plans and provide technical guidance. Provide assistance for compliance with AASHTO and other specifications. Conduct assessments of documentation of work performed by state force bridge crews and develop report of findings. Assess bridge crew efficiency and consistency in quality of work and recommend enhancements. Develop and maintain a team site for SOPs, training, etc. for bridge crews. Serve as CO Coordinator for VDOT Bridge Maintenance Users Group.
• Project Engineering: Assist in the management of projects and tasks including development of and managing the scope, schedule, budget, deliverables, change management, quality, and status reports. Complete multiple concurrent tasks and assignments, and report updates on their status.
• Special Assignments, Research and Meetings: Perform special assignments, research activities and attend meetings as directed by division management. Provide reports to division management related to Cardinal and the needs assessment. Attend meetings of the Bridge Research Advisory Committee and Concrete Research Advisory Committee. Reply to requests for information related to bridge and preservation maintenance activities.
• Special Assignments: Manage special program initiatives and projects as assigned. Serve and represent VDOT or assigned program area on various committees and work groups.
• Teamwork and Customer Service: Demonstrates customer service and work habits that reflect the VDOT Values and coordinates the flow of information both orally and in writing.

What will make you successful:

• Ability to apply engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to assess bridge maintenance problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to assess district maintenance programs, assess short and long-range project planning and develop statistical and narrative reports related to programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups.
• Ability to deliver presentations and conduct meetings.
• Ability to draw rational conclusions and develop solutions from analysis; make independent decisions; and manage multiple assignments.
• Ability to enforce and demonstrate safety behaviors, as well as advocate and practice safety in everyday work activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to gather and analyze data and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to interpret state and federal guidelines related to bridge maintenance and repair.
• Ability to interpret technical data and prepare and maintain detailed reports.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with competing deadlines and limited resources.
• Ability to negotiate outcomes and work with diverse customer groups.
• Ability to provide detailed reports on review findings.
• Ability to provide technical expertise and guidance in the development of maintenance manuals, procedures and training programs.
• Ability to read and understand highway construction plans.
• Ability to review and interpret road and bridge plans.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment, a diverse workforce, and manage multiple assignments.
• Considerable knowledge of bridge element conditions and their maintenance and repair requirements, as well as the types of bridge repair and rehabilitation.
• Considerable knowledge of the administration of bridge preservation and inspection related programs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance to district maintenance and safety inspection management.
• Knowledge engineering specifications and standards.
• Knowledge of VDOT, state, and federal policies and procedures relating to transportation engineering.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply bridge repair and maintenance specifications, regulations, safety standards and related VDOT policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of project management procedures and principles.
• Knowledge of project planning to include cost estimation and budgeting practices.
• Knowledge of structural engineering principles and practices.
• Skill and ability to positively interact with employees, citizens and government officials, orally and in writing.
• Skill in providing and promoting good customer service to internal and external customers.
• Skill in the development of Excel spreadsheets.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include MS Office, project management and engineering software programs.
• Skill in the use of computers, software applications and/or web-based applications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to gather, analyze data, prepare statistical and narrative reports.
• Considerable knowledge of the administration of bridge preservation and inspection related programs.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical expertise, guidance, support in bridge maintenance, repair and safety.
• Experience in bridge design including maintenance plans.
• Experience in structural engineering, bridge safety inspection, bridge maintenance and repair.
• Knowledge of project planning to include cost estimation and budgeting practices.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications to include Excel spreadsheet development.

Additional Considerations:

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related field desired.
• Experience administering a transportation program for bridge repair, maintenance and safety inspection. Experience in bridge design including maintenance plans.
• Experience in structural engineering, bridge safety inspection and bridge maintenance.
• Professional Engineer's license or Engineer in Training certification.