Engineering Technician (Construction)

Dakota County; Empire, Rosemount (MN, MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Work-life balance

Paid time off (PTO)

11 paid holidays

Pension plan

Ability to work from home some of the/

Job summary

Dakota County is seeking an Engineering Technician to assist a Principal Engineering Technician on a construction survey crew. The role involves surveying with Robotic Total Station, GPS, and Data Collector, supporting project staking, quantity take-off, and design verification.

You will conduct field surveys, perform calculations for earthwork and drainage, test aggregates and soils, and communicate with contractors.

Qualifications

• Requires an associate or higher degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Land Surveying, or closely related field.
• Two years of highway construction, engineering or survey field work experience, or equivalent combination.
• Valid Driver's license required.
• MnDOT technical certifications are preferred (Aggregate, Grading/Base, Concrete, Bituminous).

Responsibilities

• Conduces construction, topographic, and location surveys using Robotic Total Station, GPS, and Data Collector.
• Performs CAD and spreadsheet work for staking layouts and quantity take-off/design verification.
• Calculates earthwork, roadway surfacing, drainage and quantities to determine pay items and estimates.
• Tests aggregates, soils, and concrete to ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Surveying practices

Civil engineering principles

CAD/drafting software

Field construction activities

Education

Associate or higher degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Land Surveying or closely related field

2 years highway construction, engineering or survey field work experience

Equivalent education/work experience

Valid Driver's license

Tools

MnDOT certifications: Aggregate Production Tester

MnDOT certifications: Grading & Base Tester

MnDOT certifications: Grading & Base Inspector

MnDOT certifications: Concrete Field Tester

MnDOT certifications: Concrete Field Inspector

MnDOT certifications: Bituminous Street Inspector

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
HOURS: Full-time
SALARY RANGE:$52,326 -$81,760/year (105 Grade Level)
LOCATION: Empire Maintenance Facility
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on Friday, November 13, 2026
The Engineering Technicianin the Construction Group works on a construction survey crew as an assistant to the Principal Engineering Technician. This position performs all types of surveys with Robotic Total Station, GPS, Data Collector or other survey equipment. They also assist Principal Engineering Specialists running our construction projects. May assist with inspection of construction operations, adherence to plans, specifications and overall construction practices. Keep detailed notes on construction activities and measure quantities. Communicate with the contractors and property owners. This position also may assist with materials testing of concrete, soil and aggregate both in the field and in our testing laboratory.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. We strive every day to achieve excellence public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

• Associate or higher degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Land Surveying or closely related field.
• OR
• 2 years of highway construction, engineering or survey field work experience.
• OR
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience, directly related to highway construction, survey, or engineering, to equal or exceed 2 years.
• AND
• Valid Driver's license
• Preferred licenses/certifications/MnDOT Technical certifications:
• Aggregate Production Tester

• Grading and Base Tester, Grading and Base Inspector:
• Concrete Field Tester, Concrete Field Inspector
• Bituminous Street Inspector

Pursuant to Dakota County Policy this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Conducts construction, topographic, and location surveys. Operates Robotic Total Station, GPS, Data Collector or other survey equipment to compile survey notes for design calculations and construction.
2. Performs CAD and spreadsheet work in preparation for staking layouts and quantity take-off/design verification.
3. Computes earthwork, roadway surfacing, drainage, landscaping quantities and other engineering calculations to determine pay items and cost estimates.
4. Test aggregate, soils and concrete to ensure compliance with state regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-4 are essential functions.

• Knowledge of civil engineering practices and principles and surveying practices and principles.
• Skill in the use of personal computers, drafting equipment, design software, and state of the art field survey equipment.
• Ability to conduct field construction activities of a project.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with staff, survey personnel and the general public.
• Skill in the use of databases, spreadsheets, and other office software.
• Knowledge of engineering nomenclature, plans, records, and maps, drafting nomenclature and symbols, and contract management methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematics and its application to field surveying and engineering calculations.
• Ability to obtain MnDOT Technical Certification as Aggregate Production Tester, Grading and Base Tester, Grading and Base Inspector, Concrete Field Tester, Concrete Field Inspector, Bituminous Street Inspector.

Work Environment

Work is performed 95% outside from early spring till early winter and 5% inside, then 100% inside during the winter months.

This position performs physical labor; pounding wood hubs and lath into the ground, pounding steel frost pin into the ground for pilot holes for wood hubs and lath, shoveling and other miscellaneous activities.

Engineering Technicians must be able to perform the following on an occasional to continuous basis; sitting, standing, walking, balancing, bending/stooping, turning/twisting, low-level position, reaching forward/overhead/low levels, firm/simple grasping, and continuous bending/twisting of the arms. Positions requires force/lifting 0 - 24 pounds on a constant basis, 25 - 34 pounds of force occasional, 35 - 50 pounds rare to occasional, anything above 50 pounds is rare and should be done as a team lift. Exposures may include, but are not limited to; changing weather conditions, uneven/rough/sloped walking conditions, roadway traffic and construction equipment on roads or constructions projects, dust, dirt, paint, solvents, cleaners, exhaust and noise. Driving is required for this position and staff must have the ability to use a variety of powered equipment including but not limited to: light and heavy equipment including hammer/maul, machete, hammer drills, chisels, pavement grinder, post-hole digger, survey equipment, generator, compressor, personal computer, printers, telephone, cellular phone, calculator, copy machine, video equipment, and personal safety equipment.

Contact the Human Resources Office (651-438-4435) if you are in need of a full report of physical and occupational demands of the Engineering Technician (Senior & Principal) positions.

Location & Schedule

This is a full-time in-person position that works out of the Maintenance Facility in Empire, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring