Salary : $73,515.00 - $114,868.00 Annually
Location : Empire Township/Rosemount, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 50200A.26.001
Department:
Division: Transportation > 7004
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 4:30 PM Central

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Transportation
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $73,515 - 91,894/year
FULL SALARY RANGE: $73,515 - 114,868/year
LOCATION: Empire Transportation Shop
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026

The Principal Engineering Specialist is an experienced lead worker in the Transportation Department responsible for the successful project management of County road, trail, and bridge projects. This position utilizes leadership, coordination, and strong communication skills to ensure that state and federal aid projects as well as locally funded projects are constructed according to plans and specifications.

Candidates must be proficient with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system problem solving and making independent decisions based on knowledge and expertise in CAD.
Minimum Qualifications
• One year of specialized or technical training beyond high school in Civil Engineering or Surveying AND 4 years of specific highway construction and/or survey related experience.
OR
• Associate degree or two-year technical certificate in Civil Engineering, Land Surveying or Civil Engineering Technology or a closely related field AND 3 years of specific highway construction and/or survey related experience.
OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience specifically related to the highway construction and/or survey field to total 5 years.
AND
• Valid Driver License

Candidate must have the ability and interest to obtain the following within one year of hire:
• MNDOT Technical Certifications: Level I Bituminous Street Inspector, Level I Concrete Field Inspector, Level I Grading and Base Inspector

Preferred Experience, Education & Licenses Beyond Minimum Qualifications:
• MNDOT Technical Certification: Level II Concrete Field Inspector, Level II Grading and Base Inspector, Level II Bituminous Street Inspector
• Technical experience with pavement management, database management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Computer Aided Drafting (CAD).
• Bridge Construction Inspector
• Bridge Safety Inspection experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Land Surveying, Civil Engineering Technology, or a closely related field.

Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual Section 3102 (L), this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.
Duties & Responsibilities

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. Serve as project manager on county road, trail and bridge construction projects.
2. Manage and oversee the progress and construction methods to ensure projects meet specifications; communicate and resolve construction contract problems.
3. Interpret construction plans and calculate necessary field notes. Work with Construction staff to resolve field issues.
4. Provide technical leadership and assistance to department staff; perform paraprofessional duties and manage processes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-4 are essential functions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
• Extensive knowledge of Civil Engineering and Surveying practices & principles.
• Knowledge of personal computers, project management, design software, and field survey equipment.
• Knowledge of engineering nomenclature, plans, records, maps, and computer aided drafting (CAD).
• Knowledge of advanced mathematics and its application to field surveying and engineering computations.
• Ability to keep excellent records
• Strong ability to effectively communicate orally and written
• Ability to lead, manage, and mentor subordinates and coordinates the work activities of a project including mentoring interns.
• Ability to work long hours on short notice to meet the demands of construction activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with staff, public, contractors, agency staff and other professionals.
• MnDOT Technical Certifications: Bituminous Street Inspector, Concrete Field Inspector Level I & II, Grading and Base Inspector Level I & II, and Bridge Construction Inspector.
• Ability to work independently to complete a project in an accurate and proficient manner and see the project through to completion.
• Strong problem-solving skills, both in the field and office as they arise.
• Familiar with MnDOT Contract Administration Manual in documenting project paperwork

Work Environment
5% inside during the winter months, 95% outside from early spring till early winter. 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 to 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/GPS equipment, compressor, personal computer, printers, telephone, cellular phone, calculator, copy machine, video equipment, and personal safety equipment.

Location & Schedule
This is an in-person position at our Transportation Maintenance Facility in Empire, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular hours for the positions are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; overtime and other shift hours will be required as weather conditions and seasonal construction projects demand.
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 and one floating holiday
• 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

Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01

*******Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02

Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you understand that a background check including but not limited to criminal, employment, driving, and educational check may be conducted upon acceptance of a position.
03

Please select the highest level of education completed or degree held. (Degree must be held by the closing date of this recruitment)

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
• Professional/Technical Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary education
• Associate's Degree or 2 year Technical Certification
• Bachelors or higher Degree

04

If you have a certification or degree, please list the name of the degree, the field of study and the college from which it was obtained.
05

Identify your years of full-time highway construction and/or survey related work experience. This experience must be listed on your application.

Convert any part-time experience to full years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full time). Do not round up years of experience (i.e. 2 yrs. 9 mos. would equal 2 years). Apply this formula to all questions regarding number of years of full-time equivalent experience.

• Less than 2 years
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 or more years
• None of the above

06

Identify your years of work experience in a lead role or in directing the work of others (for example: assigning daily tasks, adjusting schedules, and monitoring progress or completion of work). This experience must be listed on your application.

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years
• None of the above

07

Identify the license and/or certifications that you possess: (Check all that apply)

• Valid Driver's License
• Bituminous Street Inspector Level I
• Bituminous Street Inspector Level II
• Concrete Field Inspector Level I
• Concrete Field Inspector Level II
• Grading and Base Inspector Level I
• Grading and Base Inspector Level II
• Bridge Safety Inspector Level I
• Bridge Safety Inspector Level II
• Bridge Construction Inspector Level I
• None of the above

08

Identify whether you have professional work experience in the following areas. (Check all that apply) This experience must be listed on your application.

• Conducting construction project inspections
• Conducting field surveys/ construction staking
• Conducting bridge safety inspections
• Preparing construction plans, maps, charts and drawings
• Using automated drafting programs (E.g. AutoCAD, Eagle Point)
• Materials testing (E.g. concrete, aggregate)
• Leading a crew through a construction project
• Developing, managing or utilizing databases
• Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software
• No experience

09

The full salary range for this position is $73,515 - $114,868 and preferred hiring range is $73,515 - $91,894 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidates' overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the County's benefits package.

Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary you'd accept if selected for the position?
10

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

11

If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.
Required Question