The City of Rochester welcomes applications for:
Engineering Technician - Materials Laboratory
The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together
Nature of Work
This individual will primarily focus on materials testing and be responsible for conducting tests as well as assisting and coordinating materials testing personnel.
The Engineering Technician performs senior level technical civil engineering work in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: project and contract management involving the oversight and management of city, state aid and federal aid administered construction projects and project management of consultant designed infrastructure projects. Work may include project design and contract pre-construction review and administration; post-construction finalization of quantities and project oversight; surveying, staking, and inspecting construction projects; coordinating and performing materials testing; inspecting erosion and sediment control practices on construction sites; operating survey equipment; maintaining records of contract work; preparing record drawings; enforcing City ordinances; and performing field locates of City sanitary and storm sewers.
Employees regularly communicate and collaborate with consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, property owners, utility companies, other departments, divisions and others involved in or affected by projects and are required to make independent decisions in resolving most problems, but informing the supervisor of unusual or controversial problems.
Pay - The 2026 starting wage is $34.82 to $54.88 per hour.
Benefits – This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.
To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by June 22 at 11:59 PM CST. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.
The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.
- Perform construction inspection of City improvement projects.
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Ensure compliance with City standards, State Aid and Federal Highway standards, and applicable city ordinances. Monitor contract work to verify adherence to project plans and specifications and provide recommendations to the Project Engineer when deviations or field changes are warranted.
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Coordinate material testing activities and requirements with consultants.
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Assist and direct material testing personnel to assure materials meet specifications.
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Conduct material testing as needed, including (but not limited to) concrete air, slump, aggregate gradations, moisture, density, and concrete and bituminous plant monitoring.
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Review test results to ensure compliance.
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Complete all required material testing forms for Local, State Aid, Federal, and HUD funded projects.
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Review and approval material submittals meet job specific requirements.
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Ensure materials delivered and used on projects meet specifications.
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Manage all aspects of contract management and inspection of assigned projects. Engage in professional communication with contractor and subcontractor personnel, property owners, utility companies, and others affected by the project.
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Prepare and distribute project information pamphlets and public service announcements. Provide project notifications and periodic updates to Public Works management team as appropriate.
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Assist and direct construction survey team for the survey and staking of walks, curb and gutter, drive approaches, and other project features as necessary.
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Inspect for proper erosion and sediment control features and communicate with contractor to ensure proper measures are installed and maintained in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2 construction permit and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
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Maintain program records and files and promptly complete electronic inspection reports.
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Inspect and manage construction features such as roadway base preparation, compaction and structural forms for proper grade and alignment.
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Perform pre-construction review and coordination of construction project activities. Lead pre-construction meetings with contractor and utilities, provide document clarification and set schedule.
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Perform project inspection of contract work items for street and utility projects.
Lead weekly, onsite construction meetings for projects. -
Conduct inspection of bituminous and concrete pavement areas.
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Inspect utility contract work; water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer installation.
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Perform post-construction finalization of material documents, quantities, inspections, and as-built records.
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Operate survey equipment and analyze construction related issues.
- Maintain automated and written project records and files. Prepare monthly project estimates.
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Prepare contract change documents (supplemental agreements, work orders, change orders).
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Maintain listings and files of work performed by contractor, including daily diaries, working day charges and quantity measurements; submit quantities for payment and assessment.
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Prepare correspondence to contractors and others for repairs; provide follow-up as appropriate.
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Prepare record drawings and maintain database of new/repaired city infrastructure.
- Provide public service to contractors, citizens, and other agencies.
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Respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information regarding construction projects.
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Meet with residents abutting projects to discuss project related activities and coordination.
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Provide technical and public project information to affected property owners, transportation agencies, City Council, Commissions, neighborhood groups, and other organizations as appropriate.
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Develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with property owners, contractors, subcontractors, and city staff.
- Perform survey and staking support for multiple projects
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Participate in the survey and staking of utility and street construction projects.
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Conduct preliminary design surveying, data collection and downloading of information for future Capital Improvement Program projects.
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Interface with design technicians and engineers in the initial layout of survey data for project design and development.
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Perform pre-construction plan and specification review, coordinate survey and staking requirements with project inspectors and develop a work schedule to efficiently support the project timelines.
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Interface with survey crew chief, project inspectors and engineers on surveying and staking issues as they occur; provide recommendations for solutions to various problems encountered in the field.
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Manage and maintain survey equipment.
- Perform field locates of City sanitary and storm sewers as required by Gopher One Call
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Attend on-site utility locate meetings as scheduled by Gopher One Call.
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Research plans for contractors and other stakeholders.
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Respond to after-hour emergency locates.
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Maintain program records and files and promptly complete electronic locate status responses.
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Coordinate and remain current with the State One Call system service provider.
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Represent Public Works in pre-construction conference and utility coordination design phase meetings.
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Conduct snow removal parking and sidewalk enforcement activities.
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Prepare communications, written and verbal, required for the enforcement activity.
- Review and implement federal and state rules and regulations.
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Maintain current file of applicable rules and regulations pertaining to public works i.e. state aid rules, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements, Delegated Contract Process (DCP) requirements, wetland rules, and other policies as appropriate.
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Review changes and advise others as necessary.
- Perform bridge survey and inspection.
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May assume team leadership responsibilities for the Bridge Team.
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Conduct annual inspections of bridges, develop maintenance activities, and provide follow-up inspection for contract or in-house repairs.
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Perform pre-construction review of plans involving bridge structures.
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Perform bridge construction project inspection of contract work, as appropriate.
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Provide work direction and immediate corrective feedback on deficiencies related to the performance or work assignments; relay performance information to the supervisor as appropriate or upon request.
Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.Education and Experience
A High School diploma or equivalent and six (6) years of experience as Associate Engineering Technician or equivalent position.
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An Associate's degree in Engineering Technology or closely related field and two (2) years of experience as an Associate Engineering Technician or equivalent position.
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A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field
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An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, ! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.
Licenses and/or Certifications
Valid driver's license
Additional Education Required Within Two Years
An individual selected for this position who does not possess the additional educational requirements at the time of hire/promotion/transfer must achieve these requirements within two years as a condition of continued employment.
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) certifications: Erosion Control Construction Site Management, Grading and Base Tester, Grading and Base Inspector, Concrete Field Tester, Concrete Field Inspector, Concrete Plant Tester, Concrete Strength Tester, Bituminous Plant Tester, Bituminous Street Inspector, Aggregate Production Tester, and ADA Construction Certification.
OSHA trench safety 'Competent Person Training'
Desirable Qualifications
MNLTAP courses: Work Zone Traffic Control and Construction Contract Claims Avoidance and Mitigation
Coursework in municipal utility inspection
Minnesota "Pipe Layer Card" or similar knowledge
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) certifications: Erosion Control Construction Site Management, Grading and Base Tester, Grading and Base Inspector, Concrete Field Tester, Concrete Field Inspector, Concrete Plant Tester, Concrete Strength Tester, Bituminous Plant Tester, Bituminous Street Inspector, Aggregate Production Tester, and ADA Construction Certification.
Physical and Environmental Criteria
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium/Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds infrequently, and/or up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Frequent demands: simultaneous and repetitive use of hands, wrists, and fingers.
Occasional demands: standing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending, reaching, and handling.
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, and touch. Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, etc.)
