Construction Inspector - Mankato Resident Office (3 Vacancies)

State of Minnesota; Mankato (MN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Pension plan

Employer paid life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Mankato Resident Office seeks qualified individuals for Construction Inspector and Transportation Generalist/Associate roles. These full-time positions involve field sampling, testing, and inspecting roadway projects to ensure adherence to plans, specs, and quality standards in a dynamic transportation environment.

Minimum qualifications include related work experience; for Transportation Associate, a valid Class B CDL with tanker endorsement is

Qualifications

• One year of experience in contract administration, bridge construction, or related fields.
• Engineering/Geomatics degrees may substitute for experience in some cases.
• English literacy to read, write, and communicate with the public and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Perform field testing of materials and inspections to ensure plan compliance.
• Read and interpret plans to verify contractor work meets specs.
• Document data to support timely payment to contractors.
• Perform CADD tasks to support design and as-built records.
• Support snow and ice operations and related winter maintenance duties.

Skills

CDL with tanker endorsement

Education

Two year Civil or Construction Technology Degree

Engineering/Geomatics related degree or equivalent

Job description

The Minnesota Department of Transportation employs people of all backgrounds and skill levels to connect members of our communities through a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.We offer many employment opportunities in a wide variety of career fields that support our work. We are committed to giving our employees the tools and resources needed to grow and advance their careers. To help our workforce thrive, we offer our employees excellent training opportunities and recognize the benefits of cultivating a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace culture that builds on the perspectives and strengths of all employees. You will be surrounded by a diverse community of colleagues, driven by their work and motivated by the greater good. You will understand the impact of the work you do and see the benefits you provide to Minnesotans and all people using our transportation system such as state highways, railways, and airports.

We hope you will join us to find your purpose in state service!

Working Title: Construction Inspector - Mankato Resident Office (3 Vacancies)
Job Class: Transportation Generalist / Transportation Associate
Agency: Transportation Dept

• Job ID: 97763
• Location: Mankato
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/19/2026
• Closing Date: 11/06/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Transportation Dept / Transportation-Dist 7-AFSCME
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Transportation Generalist Salary Range: $25.19 - $31.60 / hourly; $52,596 - $65,980 / annually
• Transportation Associate Salary Range: $23.57 - $24.28 / hourly; $49,214 - $50697 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 202 - Craft, Maintenance, Labor/AFSCME

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

Note: This posting represents a multi-level posting. If these positions are not filled by a qualified applicant at the Transportation Generalist level, the positions will be filled at the Transportation Associate level.

Job Duties:

Examples of work at the Transportation Generalist level include but are not limited to:

• Obtains representative samples of bituminous, concrete, aggregate, grading, and base materials and performs appropriate tests to ensure quality assurance.
• Performs the construction materials acceptance tests (such as gradations, density, air, beam, cylinder, and slump) in the field as required to ensure quality of materials.
• Reads and interprets plans and specifications to ensure contractor compliance.
• Checks the dimensions and tolerances of constructed roadway features to ensure conformance to plans and specifications.
• Measures, computes, and documents pay items to ensure proper payment for work done under the contract.
• Performs and implements inspection processes so that test failures are documented and corrected.
• Monitors the work of contractor personnel to ensure compliance with established processes, practices, and specifications.
• Assists the Plant Monitor to ensure materials meet specifications and requirements.

Snow and Ice

• Maintains roadways for snow and ice control.
• Prepares and inspects winter equipment.
• Performs winter stockpile setup and transfer of anti-icing and de-icing chemicals.
• Performs traffic control set ups and/or provides notification to dispatch of disabled vehicles.

Examples of work at the Transportation Associate level include but are not limited to:

• Learn to perform field testing of construction materials to ensure that tests are performed accurately, timely, thoroughly, and according to specification.
• Learn to inspect contractor’s work and methods so that the construction work meets the requirements of the plans, specification, and special provisions.
• Learn to document and summarize all appropriate data necessary to pay contractor promptly, to ensure data integrity and compliance with government regulations.
• Learn to perform basic/routine technical computer-aided drafting and designing (CADD) in accordance with CADD data standards to meet deadlines.

Snow and Ice

• Learn to perform all activities required to ensure snow and ice control in a timely, safe, efficient manner resulting in public safety, free flowing traffic, and minimal delay.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

The experience needed to perform this job at the Transportation Generalist level can be achieved with:

• A combination of one year of experience in any of the following areas:contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction), bridge maintenance, bridge safety inspection, design, hydraulics, materials, soils, permits, planning, pre-design, right of way, road surface/roadside maintenance, snow/ice, surveys, and/or traffic engineering. Credit will also be awarded for professional residential or commercial building construction.

OR

• A Two year Civil or Construction Technology Degree or the following four-year degrees:Architectural, Civil or Mechanical Engineering; Land Surveying / Geomatics; or equivalent may substitute for one year of experience. (In order for education coursework to be considered in lieu of work experience you must submit a copy of your transcripts).
• Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

The experience needed to perform this job at the Transportation Associate level can be achieved with:

Part 1:

A valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License with tanker endorsement and no air brake restriction (or the ability to obtain within 12 months from the date of hire).

• Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Part 2: Candidates that are made a contingent job offer will be invited to take a computerized Math and Reading Assessment Test. The required passing score for the Math portion is a level 5 or higher and the Reading portion is a level 5 or higher. Acceptance of an offer is contingent on passing a math and reading assessment test.Candidates that have previously taken and passed the math and reading assessment may be exempt from re-testing.Please check with your district HR office.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous MnDOT experience working as a Laborer, Transportation Associate or Transportation Generalist.

Additional Requirements

Successful candidate must pass past-employer reference checks and criminal history checks. 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 (for current and former state employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Driver's License Check

This position is contingent upon the selected job candidate having a valid Commercial Driver’s License, submits to a Federal Department of Transportation Pre‑employment drug test (with negative test results), is subject to future random drug and alcohol testing and is registered in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long‑term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well‑being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well‑being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS