BRIDGE OPERATOR TRAINEE
Bridge Operator Trainee is non-competitive, meaning the state checks your education and experience against the spec instead of ranking you on a test.
The FY2027 range lands between $40,322 and $57,949, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Transportation.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Bridge Operator Trainee appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Transportation.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $38,958. The agencies employing the most are:
- Transportation (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the close supervision of a supervisor in the Department of Transportation, learns to operate one or more drawbridges; does other related duties.
Examples of work
- As a Trainee and productive worker:
- Learns to operate semiautomatic and/or manual equipment to open and seat the movable span of a drawbridge allowing for the safe and efficient flow of marine traffic through the draw in accordance with prescribed governmental regulations; remains vigilant for approaching marine traffic under the guidance of an experienced bridge operator.
- Learns to operate semiautomatic and/or manual equipment to activate warning lights; traffic gates. horns, barrier gates, and other safety devices to safely control highway and pedestrian traffic prior to, during and after the opening of the span under the leadership of an experienced bridge operator.
- Learns to manually open and close bridge if controls fail to work.
- Learns to climb the bridge structure, and crawl through small spaces to inspect structure or perform maintenance or minor repair functions.
- Learns to perform test lifts to maintain operational readiness and ensure operational efficiency during bridge rehabilitation and repair under the leadership of an experienced bridge operator.
- Learns to perform inspections and limited preventive maintenance of machinery and equipment under the leadership of an experienced bridge operator.
- Learns to make required contacts or other communications to ensure the timely report and resolution of significant events that impact the safe and efficient flow of marine and vehicular traffic. Completes or assists in the completion and on-time submission of related reports.
- Learns to maintain bridge houses, bridge walkways, sidewalks and all work areas in a safe, clean condition at all times including but not limited to sweeping, washing and waxing floors, cleaning windows, snow removal and removal of debris from pedestrian sidewalk, storage and disposal of garbage in a safe and proper manner.
- Learns to respond to emergency situations including snow removal and ice control and is available day or night as required.
- Learns to record bridge opening data on bridge opening reports, hourly bridge opening surveys, vessel height surveys, and related data on department forms under the leadership of an experienced bridge operator.
- Learns to operate drawbridge in accordance with New Jersey Department of Transportation policies and procedures, operations bulletins and United States Coast Guard regulations.
- Maintains accurate and factual records and prepares miscellaneous reports under the leadership of an experienced bridge operator.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Ability to learn to inspect and perform limited, routine maintenance work and oversee the maintenance of machinery and equipment on the bridge structure after a period of training.
- Ability to learn to operate electronically controlled motors, diesel generators, manually activated diesel engines and their basic electrical/mechanical operating requirements.
- Ability to work at heights, climb ladders, stairs and structural members over water, for routine inspection and re-lamping of navigation lights and features.
- Ability to learn to manually open and close bridge when controls fail to work.
- Ability to climb through bridge structures and enclosed spaces over bodies of water.
- Ability to learn to seat the bridge span without damage to the bridge structure by using of eye-hand coordination to operate semi-automatic and/or manual controls.
- Ability to respond to emergency situations including snow removal and ice control.
- Ability to understand and follow United States Coast Guard regulations governing the navigable waters of the United States as they apply to the operation of drawbridges.
- Ability to understand and carry out department rules and regulations governing the operation of State drawbridges.
- Ability to recall sequential directions under stress and give or carry out precise instructions during emergency situations.
- Ability to identify and accurately report equipment failure or operating problems to appropriate personnel.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- <b>ADVANCEMENT</b>
- Upon successful completion of the (6) six-month training period, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the Bridge Operator title, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures. The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation.
Note
The examples of work for this tittle are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely all duties performed on the job may not be listed.