Field Operations Assistant - Engineering Specialist

At MnDOT, we are driven to find talented, innovative employees for Minnesota’s nationally recognized transportation system. We work to build the best team in the transportation industry to ensure that Minnesota thrives with a safe, sustainable and leading edge transportation system. You will be surrounded by a diverse community of experts, each driven by challenging work and motivated by the greater good. You will understand the impact of the work you are doing and be able to see the benefit you are providing to the citizens of Minnesota. You can set your sights high and use your strengths to grow within the organization. MnDOT offers superior health and retirement benefits as well as a solid commitment to work-life balance, which provides you the tools to thrive both at work and outside of work.

Working Title: Field Operations Assistant
Job Class: Engineering Specialist
Agency: Transportation Dept

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Transportation Dept / DOT-Metro-Central Off-MGEC
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Travel Required: Yes, 25 - 50% statewide travel
• Division/Unit: Materials / Materials & Road Research
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Salary Range: $28.22 - $41.71 / hourly; $58,923 - $87,090 / annually
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Classified Status: Classified
• Telework Eligible: No
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 212 - MN Govt Engineers Council/Engineers
• Closing Date: 05/01/2023
• Last Incumbent: New
• Date Posted: 04/11/2023
• Days of Work: Monday - Thursday - 7:00 AM - 5:30PM
• Supervisor Name: Richard Lamb

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

** The Minnesota Department of Transportation does not sponsor applicants for work visas or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment.

This position is located at the Office of Materials & Road Research in Maplewood, MN.

This position assists with the roles and responsibilities of the current Field Operations Supervisor. The Field Operations Assistant will perform para-professional engineering work to direct and manage statewide field operations for geotechnical engineering investigations for bridges, highway embankments, slopes, and other transportation related structures. This position exists to ensure that investigation equipment is safely and properly operated, field workers are adequately trained, in-place engineering soils tests are performed according to specifications, and quality soil/rock samples are retrieved from deep boreholes. These soil and rock samples are then delivered to MnDOT’s geotechnical engineering laboratory where the samples are classified, tested, and reported on boring and sounding logs. These logs are in-turn used by professional geotechnical engineers to design safe and reliable foundations for transportation structures.

Statewide travel is required to work with field crews (25-50%).

Minimum Qualifications

Three years para-engineering experience (at the Transportation Specialist level or equivalent) that demonstrates:

• Experience maintaining heavy equipment.
• Experience in subsurface investigation methods such as hollow and solid stem auger drilling, rotary mud drilling, or cone penetration direct push equipment.
• Experience interpreting roadway plans and layouts.
• Valid Class D Driver’s License.

Additional Requirements

**Successful candidate must pass past-employer reference checks and criminal history check**

It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Criminal History Check, Employment Reference Check, Driver’s License Check, Education/License Verification and Pre-Employment Physical.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Alyssa Tardif at [email protected].

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Alyssa Tardif at [email protected].

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Prescription drug coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Public pension plan
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Training and professional development
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Vision coverage
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Wellness programs and resources
• Paid parental leave
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Dependent care spending account

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) encourages participation in all its programs, services and activities and does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities. Anyone who believes they may need a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate in the job application, interview or selection processes may contact any agency official with whom applicant has contact in the processing of their employment application to request an accommodation. Applicants may also contact the MnDOT Affirmative Action office to request an accommodation by: E-mail: [email protected]; or by calling Janet Miller at 651/366-4720; or using MN Relay 711.

The MnDOT Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/policy/hr/hr009.html.