Construction Inspector - Transportation Generalist Senior

State of Minnesota; Winona (MN); On-site; USD 57,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking a Construction Inspector - Transportation Generalist Senior to join the Winona district. This full-time role supports inspecting roadway and bridge construction, conducts material testing, and ensures compliance with plans and MnDOT specifications.

Day shift, 7 AM - 3:30 PM, or contractor hours. The position requires strong attention to detail, safety practices, and ability to work with other inspectors and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Chief Inspector on complex projects by completing inspection activities to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Serve as the Chief Inspector on less complex construction projects to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Performs and/or directs field testing of construction materials (grading/base, bituminous, concrete), analyzes test results, and verifies material quality against MnDOT specifications.
• Performs construction inspections and verifies dimensions and tolerances of roadway features to ensure conformance to plans and specifications.
• Performs complex inspection activities of grading/base or bridge projects, and bituminous/concrete paving operations to ensure project success.
• Reports deficiencies to Chief Inspector and verifies corrections to ensure project compliance with documents.
• Documents pay items and generates required reports from letting to finalization to ensure accurate records of work and materials used.
• Applies enforcement procedures to contracts for less complex projects and assists with enforcement on complex projects.
• Monitors contractor and traffic control safety practices, ensuring safety and project completion.
• Provides work direction to assistant inspectors and student workers to develop technical skills through MnDOT’s certification program.
• Measures, computes, and enters pay items into AASHTOWare and determines payment amounts to contractors.
• Interprets plans and specifications to ensure contractor compliance.
• Monitors concrete and bituminous plants to ensure materials meet specifications.
• Assists with final reviews on construction projects to ensure contractors have appropriate certification.
• The incumbent is required to be immediately reachable by phone and able to report within one hour of being called.

Job description

Construction Inspector - Transportation Generalist Senior

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
Job Class: Transportation Generalist Senior
Agency: Transportation Department

• Job ID: 96023
• Location: Winona
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/17/2026
• Closing Date: 09/16/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Transportation Dept / Transportation-Dist 6-AFSCME
• Division/Unit: District 6C- ADE Program Dlvry / Construction Winona
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 7 AM - 3:30 PM or Contractor's Hours or Snow & Ice
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $27.14 - $35.09 / hourly; $56,668 - $73,267 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - Technical/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

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.

Job Duties

• Assists the Chief Inspector on a significant portion of complex projects by completing complex inspection activities to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Serve as the Chief Inspector on less complex construction projects to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Performs and/or directs frequent/routine field testing of construction materials (for example. grading and base, bituminous, and concrete), analyzes test results, and verifies material quality and determines if construction materials meet MnDOT specifications.
• Performs construction inspections and verifies the dimensions and tolerances of constructed roadway features to ensure conformance to plans and specifications.
• Performs complex inspection activities of grading and base or bridge projects, and bituminous and concrete paving operations to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Reports known deficiencies to Chief Inspector and verifies corrections of known deficiencies to ensure the project complies with project documents.
• Performs routine documentation to record location, quantity and quality of contract work and also completes required reports and administrative documentation (such as pay items, force account summaries, test reports, usage reports, etc.) within MnDOT requirements from letting to finalization to ensure records of work and materials used are accurate and timely.
• Applies enforcement procedures to the contract for less complex construction projects or recommends the application of enforcement procedures to the Chief Inspector when working on the most complex projects to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Monitors contractor and traffic control safety practices, ensures personal safety is protected, and the project is completed using applicable safety practices, rules and programs.
• Provides work direction to assistant inspectors and/or student workers in gaining required technical skills through MnDOT’s technical certification program.
• Measures, computes, documents and enters pay items into AASHTOWare and determines amount of payment to contractor.
• Interprets plans and specifications to ensure contractor compliance.
• Monitors concrete and bituminous plants to ensure materials meet specifications and requirements.
• Assists with final reviews on construction projects to ensure contractors have the appropriate certification.
• The incumbent is required to be immediately accessible to a phone and be able to report to work within one (1) hour of being called.

NOTE: The incumbent will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. New employees must pass a pre-placement drug test for evidence of use of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines (MDMA, MDA and MDEA) and acetyl morphine (6-AM).

The incumbent must also be registered in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Exam Part 1: The level of experience to perform this job at the TGS level can be achieved with:

• Two years of experience performing contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction) activities or related activities; OR
• A combination of one year of experience in any of the following areas may substitute for one year of performing contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction) activities: bridge maintenance, bridge safety inspection, contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction), design, hydraulics, materials, soils, permits, planning, predesign, right of way, road surface/roadside maintenance, signs, surveys, snow/ice, and/or traffic engineering.
• Educational Substitution: 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.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS

Required:(minimum required at the time of hire or placement in the position)

• Aggregate Production
• Grading & Base Tester
• Bituminous Street Inspector

Exam Part 2: Applicants 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 the offer is contingent on passing a math and reading assessment test.) If you’ve previously taken and passed the math and reading assessments, you may be exempt from retesting. Please check with your district HR office.

Additional Requirements

All candidates must submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may include one or all of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check
• 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, must submit to a Federal Department of Transportation pre-employment drug test (with negative test results) and is subject to future random drug and alcohol testing 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 WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations for their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, callthe job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the need for support you then (???)

Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) encourages participation in all its programs, services and activities and does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities. Anyone that … ...