Engineer I - III (Assistant Pavement Management Engineer)

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and Vision

Paid leave

Holidays

Retirement benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Transportation in Pierre seeks an Assistant Pavement Management Engineer to operate the pavement management database, perform QA on distress data, and help develop pavement performance curves under the Pavement Management Engineer. This role involves data modelling, data analysis, field inspections, and prioritizing pavement improvements.

The position offers an option to remote two days per week after successful probation, with comprehensive benefits and opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Knowledge of federal/state regulations in transportation planning.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder processes and delivering policy or technical documents.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Operate the pavement management database and provide data to users.
• Review and QA pavement distress data.
• Develop and implement pavement performance curves with the engineer.
• Maintain models and analyze data with the team.
• Monitor data to ensure performance targets.
• Participate in field inspections of pavement conditions.
• Develop prioritization list of pavement improvement projects.
• Interpret and apply pavement management regulations.

Skills

Pavement management

Data analysis

Excel

GIS

Project management

Communication

Teamwork

Detail orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

PE certification (preferred)

Tools

ArcGIS

Pavement management software

Microsoft 365 (Word/Excel/Outlook)

Job description

Salary:

$32.85 - $45.45 per hour; depending on experience

Pay Grade:

EI - E3

Closing Date:

11/10/2026

Location:

Pierre

Agency:

Department of Transportation / Division of Planning and Engineering / Office of Project Development

Introduction:

Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as an Assistant Pavement Management Engineer!

Job Description:

• operating the pavement management database used to store pavement distress and other data and provide the data to other users;
• review and quality assurance checks on the pavement distress data collected;
• working with the Pavement Management Engineer to develop and implement pavement performance curves;
• assisting the Pavement Management Engineer in the maintenance of models and analysis of data;
• monitoring the data to ensure that Performance Targets are being met;
• participating in field inspections to assess pavement conditions;
• assisting the Pavement Management Engineer in developing prioritization list of pavement improvement projects;
• interpreting and applying regulations pertaining to pavement management targets.

Typical office environment with required occasional overnight travel.

This position has an option to be remote two days per week after successful completion of probationary period (if new to SDDOT).

What You Bring to the SDDOT:

• Growth mindset
• Vision and creativity
• Team-oriented attitude- Confident, action-oriented personality
• Attention to detail and a passion for organization
• Commitment to fostering high ethical standards

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems

Pavement Management Functions

• operating the pavement management database used to store pavement distress and other data and provide the data to other users;
• the review and maintenance of the quality assurance checks on the automated pavement distress data collected;
• training an intern to process and analyze the QA data on a week to week basis to ensure data integrity;
• working with the Pavement Management Engineer to develop and implement pavement performance curves;
• assisting the Pavement Management Engineer in the maintenance of models and analysis of data;
• monitoring the data to ensure that Performance Targets are being met;
• participating in field inspections to assess pavement conditions;
• assisting the Pavement Management Engineer in developing prioritization list of pavement improvement projects;
• interpreting and applying regulations pertaining to pavement management targets.

Cross-Cutting Functions

• manage data governance, analytics, and visualization for planning metrics;
• drive continuous improvement through standardized processes, templates, and guidance.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• engineering principles and practices;
• types of pavements;
• pavement distresses (training is available);
• appropriate pavement treatments;
• the optimization of projects to insure proper allocation of financial resources;
• transportation planning principles, benefit-cost analysis, scenario planning, and basic statistics.

Skill to:

• manage a database and operate a pavement management software;
• work with the others to achieve common goals;
• manage time and multiple tasks;
• use Microsoft software, especially Excel (training is available);
• use GIS (training is available)Project/Program Management: Scoping, scheduling, budgeting, contract oversight, and risk management;
• technical Tools: Microsoft 365 software suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.); Conducting data analysis using Excel, GIS (ArcGIS).

Ability to:

• pay attention to detail;
• communicate effectively;
• generate innovative ideas and use them to solve problems or make improvements;
• use applied mathematics and logic to implement ideas or improvements;
• exercise sound engineering judgement and make timely and well-informed decisions;
• gain acceptance or support for ideas, projects, and solutions;
• set goals and put forth the effort required to achieve them
• communication: Produce concise, high-quality plans, memos, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences;
• analytical & Problem-Solving: Interpret complex data, visualize trends, and apply insights to planning decisions
• collaboration: Work effectively across agencies and with stakeholders with diverse interests and organizational priorities to achieve planning objectives.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal/state regulations, preferably the transportation planning regulations and performance-based planning (e.g., 23 CFR Part 450; 23 U.S.C. programs; FTA/FHWA planning processes).
• Experience managing complex stakeholder processes and delivering policy or technical documents.
• Valid driver's license

Preference given for those with:

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in pavement management, pavement design, and/or transportation planning.
• PE (civil/transportation) certification.

Compensation:

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Pavement Management Engineer is approximately $91,332.00 annually.

Qualifications of the successful applicant will determine the engineering classification level assigned. Salary will be set depending on qualifications.

We provide training and certification, transportation, safety gear, and [other provisions] to get you started and keep you updated on best practices. As a requirement for continued employment, you may need to secure further technical training and/or certifications related to this position and its responsibilities.

Join the South Dakota Department of Transportation!

View more about this opportunity here: https://youtu.be/WdCQix5wB8A .

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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