This information is being presented to promote a new area of our Forum where highway construction inspectors and consulting firms can actively participate to find each other. Our Forum, in the CONSULTANTS area, is a resource tool where inspectors and consulting firms can come together to give their information. You are all encouraged to participate.

More to the point, this article is intended to inform both highway construction inspectors that are available to be employed by consultant inspection firms, and for consulting firms that are seeking those same inspectors. Also, it is primarily intended for all higheway construction inspectors who wish to work on projects in the State of Pennsylvania. However, inspectors and consulting firms from other states may use this as a place to connect with each other as well.

Many times, highway construction inspectors  find the need to search for their next project by moving on to a different consulting firm for lots of reasons. This is a unique situation that highway inspectors find themselves in from time to time. Sometimes an inspector will complete his or her project, only to find that their current consulting firm does not have another project available at this time. Or that the next available project is too far from home and will require staying in a hotel during the week. Or, the next project offered to him or her is not a good fit for what ever reason the inspector determines, etc.

In this unique business, often times an inspector will deem it necessary to seek employment with another consulting firm when he or she becomes available for his or her next project.

There are generally five (5) categories of Highway Construction Inspectors that are in demand for this industry.

They are:

TA (Technical Assistant) These are basically those that are hired with little or no experience inspecting highway construction projects. And, they do not have any or enough of the credentials required at this time. Basically, it is a ground floor level entry position and a great place to get your foot-in-the-door, so to speak.

TCI (Transportation Construction Inspector) This group are the core inspectors who do most of the field inspecting on a construction project while it is being built. These inspectors have the knowledge and experience to inspect the work being done to assure that it meets the scope of the plans and specifications required on projects.

TCIS (Transportation Construction Inspector Supervisors) As the title implies, they supervise the TCI inspectors and Technical Assistants, and also inspect the construction work as a lead inspector.

CI (Coatings Inspector) On Penn DOT projects, Coating inspectors are primarily used for Bridge Painting Projects. It is a very unique knowledge that these inspectors have acquired for this type of inspection.

TCM (Transportation Construction Manager) As the title implies, they are more involved with managing the overall project, and are usually only required on the larger projects where a greater number of inspectors are needed.

Who Needs Highway Construction Inspectors?

A general list of government clients that use consulting firm’s inspectors for construction project needs in the state of Pennsylvania are: PennDot, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Municipalities state wide, and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), to name the primary ones.

Highway Construction Inspectors Can Introduce Themselves in the Forum

But first, I would like to recognize the NICET organization as they offer a similar way for inspectors and consulting firms to connect with each other. The NICET organization has a certification program that was designed for inspectors involved in the inspection of highway construction projects. The majority of the highway construction inspectors are required to have a NICET Certification. It is one of the certifications that is sought after by inspectors in this industry. Check them out to see good examples of how inspectors introduce themselves on line. Some inspectors don’t mind giving their real name at this stage of the game, and others may feel more comfortable using a fictitious name, in the event that they don’t want to let their current employer know they are looking for, or exploring another project with a different consulting firm.

Here in the Forum, inspectors should use a simple outline approach to place your, shall we call it, a short resume. Such as your name (fictitious or real), a brief description of what kinds of inspecting you have done, an email address (perhaps create a new yahoo email address), a phone number (optional), a list of the certifications you have, and the area of the state you would prefer working in by district, or counties. Again, keep it as brief as possible at this stage, especially if you are trying to remain anonymous on the Forum.

When you enter the Forum, click on CONSULTANTS. If you are an inspector wanting to post a short resume, next click on INSPECTOR’S LOUNGE, then click on the NEWTOPIC button and enter your information. Then click on the SUBMIT button when your short resume is completed. Otherwise, click on CONSULTANTS LOUNGE to view job positions posted by consulting firms.

When consulting firms see your short resume and have something to possibly offer you, they will contact you by whatever means you gave them, i.e., email, phone number, or your forum user name.

After highway construction  inspectors and consulting firms make a connection, of course, the inspectors can submit their full resume to the consulting firms at that time.

To consulting firms, at this time, the Forum is not charging any fees for you to post project positions for inspectors. So feel free to use this Forum often. Please post your project requirements in the CONSULTANTS LOUNGE area of the Forum.

If you are interested in participating in our Forum, you may do so by Entering Here

And good luck to all.

The Forum Administrator