Glossary

Advanced-level construction inspector: Understands and demonstrates proficiency in skills in a variety of responsibilities and performs specialized tasks with little to no supervision. Advanced-level inspectors can also be supervisors.

Bridge: A structure and supports constructed over a depression or obstruction, such as water, a highway, or a railway, with a track or passageway to carry traffic or other moving loads and a length of at least 20 ft (6 m) measured along the center of the roadway or railroad between abutment under copings or extreme ends of openings for multiple boxes.

Bridge construction inspector: The person whose primary responsibility is to verify, by observation and measurement of contract performance, that the contractor’s work meets standards and specifications. Personnel at transportation agencies that perform construction inspections may also be called technicians.

Career development: The process of progressing individuals through a career process that benefits both the individual and the agency.

Certification/qualification: A formal recognition that an individual has met specific requirements within an inspection field by demonstrating proficiency in knowledge, skills, and abilities. The terms “certification” and “qualification” are used interchangeably throughout this report.

Construction inspector: An individual whose primary responsibility is to verify that the work meets standards and specifications by observing and measuring contract performance. State DOTs may also refer to construction inspectors as “technicians,” and they may hold other titles and may perform non-inspection responsibilities.

Core competencies: A combination of knowledge, skills, performance behaviors, and personal attributes (i.e., knowledge, skills, and abilities) that contribute to improved employee performance and organizational success.

Entry-level construction inspector: A new employee with little to no previous experience in construction inspection who performs responsibilities under direct supervision.

Formal training: Methods of training that use an instructor or facilitator and occur at an established place and time. Formal training includes instructor-led training in a classroom, instructor-led training with hands-on applications, and instructor-led virtual training.

Inspection: The act of examining, measuring, or testing to determine the degree of compliance with requirements of the design specifications and contract.

Instructor-led training: Any training provided (in-person or online) with a facilitator instructing students throughout the training.

Intermediate-level construction inspector: Understands and demonstrates competency in skills in one or more areas of the entry level and performs inspection responsibilities under general supervision.

Internship: Construction inspection position geared toward currently enrolled students in a transportation-related field (e.g., engineering, construction management, construction technology) that incorporates short-term employment for students to gain practical on-the-job experience and exposure to the organization.

Mentoring: An established education and training method for newly hired inspectors in which an experienced inspector is paired with a less experienced inspector to advise and guide them to perform their work responsibilities.

Online training: Training conducted in a virtual or simulated environment, or when the learner and the instructor are in separate locations, connected through the internet, rather than in a traditional classroom.

On-the-job training: Training and learning obtained from experience while performing work duties.

Self-paced learning: A learning process that does not include a facilitator or instructor.

Skills: Personal, professional, and technical proficiencies, which are learned through training. Skills are typically observable and measurable.

Specifications: Compilation of provisions and requirements to perform prescribed work.

Training: The process of providing new knowledge and skills for an employee to perform specific responsibilities and improve performance.

Turnover rate: The percentage or number of individuals that leave a place of employment over a certain period (e.g., quarterly, annually).