Legal Description Specialist - Engineering Specialist

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Minnesota invites applications for an Engineering Specialist in the Transportation Department, located in St. Paul. The role focuses on preparing, reviewing, and approving legal descriptions for property transactions and serves as a technical advisor in the Legal Descriptions Unit.

Based at the Central Office in St. Paul, the position offers a day shift, potential hybrid schedule, and telework arrangements with supervision. Open Roads Designer ORD expertise is preferred.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience at Transportation Specialist level or equivalent.
• Experience applying Minnesota laws and standard surveying practices to legal descriptions.
• Experience applying land surveying principles to the Public Land Survey System.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and approve legal descriptions used for acquisition and disposition of real property interests.
• Serve as a technical expert advisor to staff in the Legal Descriptions Unit and District personnel.

Skills

Surveying laws

Public Land Survey System

Legal descriptions writing

Tools

OpenRoads ORD

Job description

Job Class: Engineering Specialist

Agency: Transportation Department

• Job ID : 96492

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : All qualified applicants

• Date Posted : 09/09/2026

• Closing Date : 09/29/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Transportation Dept / DOT-Metro-Central Off-MGEC

• Division/Unit : Engineering Services Div / LM Legal Descriptions

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $32.13 - $47.49 / hourly; $67,087 - $99,159 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 212 - MN Govt Engineers Council/Engineers

• Last Incumbent : Joseph Merkl

• Supervisor Name : Fufa Roro

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

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.

ATTENTION APPLICANTS: This position was previously announced from 08/20/2026 to 09/03/2026. This position is being re-announced with revised minimum qualifications, and you will be evaluated using the revised qualifications. Previous applicants do not need to reapply unless they wish to provide new or additional information.

This position is located at Central Office in St. Paul and may have the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule, or work in the office. The incumbent will be required to make a telework arrangement with their supervisor. The incumbent will be expected to work in the office as determined by policy and discussion with their supervisor.

As a Legal Description Preparation Specialist, you will be responsible for preparing, reviewing, and approving legal descriptions used for the acquisition and disposition of real property interests for all projects under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation. You will serve as a technical expert advisor to other staff in the Legal Descriptions Unit as well as District personnel and provide accurate, precise decisions that support the Department’s Program Delivery schedule.

** 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience at the Transportation Specialist level (or equivalent) that demonstrates:

• Experience applying Minnesota laws and standard surveying practices to legal descriptions.

• Experience applying land surveying principles to the Public Land Survey System.

• Experience writing and preparing documentation for legal descriptions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing and interpreting Commissioner’s Orders and legal descriptions.

• Experience using CADD (Open Roads Designer (ORD)) standards.

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, and/or Education/License Verification.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.