Public Works Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $61,443.20 - $84,968.00 Annually
Location : Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-01388O
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Central
About the Position
The City of Saint Paul Department of Public Works is hiring multiple Public Works Technician II's to perform intermediate level engineering technician work inspecting, investigating, drafting, administering, and designing public works projects.
Here's what you can expect to do:
Right of Way (ROW) Division: Located at 899 North Dale Street and will work 7:30am-4:00pm Monday - Friday.

• Review, process, and issue all permit types for any work within the City of Saint Paul Right of Way.
• Inspect the operations and worksites of all permitted contactors.
• Conduct field inspections at worksites for permit adherence, operations confirmation, amendments, project site traffic safety, complaint resolutions and permit closeout.
• Inspect excavations for proper backfilling protocols and pavement restorations.
• Work closely and in collaboration with Right of Way field personnel and many other departments within the city, government entities, private contractors and residents.
• Review utility plan submittals through the utility plan review program.
• Maintain data for road closures in the GIS system.
• Use office suite software including Paulie permitting software.
• Respond to field complaints and safety concerns as reported.
• Attend permit project coordination meetings and pre-construction conferences.

Land Surveying Division: Located at 1000 City Hall Annex and will work 6:30am to 3:00pm Monday - Friday.

• Set up and operate advanced surveying instruments such as total stations, GNSS/GPS receivers, data collectors, and digital levels with precision.
• Ensure equipment is calibrated and maintained regularly.
• Conduct topographic, boundary, construction layout, and as-built surveys for various public infrastructure projects (roads, utilities, sidewalks, drainage systems, etc.).
• Accurately stake out features for construction crews using engineering plans and design drawings.
• Assist in establishing control networks and verifying existing benchmarks.
• Work closely with licensed land surveyors, engineers, and project managers to interpret design plans and translate them into accurate fieldwork.
• Understand and apply local government standards, CAD drawings, and legal descriptions.
• Lead or guide junior crew members in the field, ensuring proper setup, data collection methods, and safety procedures. Train new hires or interns on equipment usage and field protocols.
• Collect precise field data and ensure its accuracy before submitting it for processing.
• Perform field calculations (e.g., inverses, offsets, elevations) as needed to support real-time decisions.
• Coordinate survey efforts with engineering, construction inspection, GIS, and utility maintenance divisions within Public Works.
• Respond to requests for locating public infrastructure, property lines, easements, or rights-of-way.
• Experience in utilizing software such as Trimble, TBC, AutoCAD Civil 3D, SCENE, GIS, and SharePoint.

Street Construction & Design Division:
Street Construction Inspection: Located at 900 City Hall Annex with typical work hours between 6:30/7:00am to 3:00/3:30pm, Monday - Friday, with occasional overtime during the summer months. Desired applicants will have excellent customer service skills, an ability to multi-task, prioritize, anticipate conflicts, and experience working with plans and specifications.

• Perform inspection work related to Public Works construction projects with city, state, and federal regulations.
• Inspect the day-to-day operations of the contractor and document the work done by the contractor including; Excavation, concrete, grading and base, paving, sewer systems, erosion control.
• Review construction plans and make field modifications as needed.
• Provide public information and coordination with businesses, residents, and the public

For more information and essential functions, see our
Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of , including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.
Position Requirements
Must meet one of the following:

• Two years of experience performing basic engineering technician work to include land survey, traffic studies, routine construction inspection, project design, or drafting.

OR

• Twenty-four post-secondary credits in technical classes and one year performing basic engineering technician work to include land survey, traffic studies, routine construction inspection, project design, or drafting.

Depending on assignment you must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license.
How to Apply

1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
2. Upload the following required document via the online application system. You will not be able to submit your application without these documents attached. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
   • A resume

First time applying online? Read our
Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
Assessment: Qualifications Rating
The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.
Eligible Lists Created from Open Job Posting: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Non-promotion eligible lists typically are pass/fail and promotion eligible lists are typically ranked. If the open eligible list created contains a veteran, one open list will exist. When there are no veterans remaining on the eligible list (i.e. hired, withdrawn) from an open list that also contains promotional candidates, two lists will be created: one open list and one promotion list. If two lists exist, the promotion list must be exhausted before the open list is considered.
Final Selection Process: Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.
Pre-Employment Screening: This position may require a driver's license check. Candidates will be required to submit proof of education to Human Resources upon conditional job offer, if qualifying based on education.
Human Resources Contact Information:
Danni Smith at 651-266-6566
Email:
The City of Saint Paul encourages individuals to apply for positions regardless of criminal history.
Veteran's Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran's preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.
Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:
City Paid Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Vacation/Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Life Insurance
• Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
• Deferred Compensation
• Retirement Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance

For a detailed overview, visit
01
The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening and application processes. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.

• Yes

02
Do you possess a valid Minnesota Class D Driver's License or equivalent out-of-state driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03
How do you best qualify for this position?

• Two years of experience performing basic engineering technician work to include land survey, traffic studies, routine construction inspection, project design, or drafting
• Twenty-four post-secondary credits in technical classes and one year performing basic engineering technician work to include land survey, traffic studies, routine construction inspection, project design, or drafting
• None of the above

04
Indicate which of the following you have professional experience with. (Check all that apply)

• Surveying
• Field studies and observations
• Project design
• Drafting
• Site plan review
• Permitting
• Construction inspection
• None of the above

05
In detail, please describe the experience indicated in the previous question. Be sure to include your role, responsibilities, and length of time performing such work.
06
Indicate professional experience you have had with the following software applications. (Check all that apply)

• AutoCAD
• Database application ie. Filemaker
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Microsoft Excel
• Other
• None of the above

07
If you selected "other" in the previous question, please describe below.
08
Please describe your experience providing customer service. In detail, provide a specific example in which you identified the needs of the customer (internal or external customer); how you responded to their complaint and/or request for information, and the outcome.
09
Describe your experience working in a team environment. Include how you have demonstrated an ability to advise and guide others toward the completion of tasks.
10
The City of Saint Paul and the Department of Public Works are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees and residents. Please describe an experience you have had where your approach changed in order to work and communicate more effectively with a person from a different background. What steps were taken to ensure a favorable outcome?
11
Which position would you like to be considered for?

• Right of Way
• Land Surveying
• Street Construction & Design

12
I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.

• Yes
• No

13
RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)

• City of Saint Paul website
• City of Saint Paul employee
• City of Saint Paul job interest card
• City of Saint Paul walk-in
• City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
• City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
• Friend or family member
• League of Minnesota Cities website
• Governmentjobs.com website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Indeed.com website
• ZipRecruiter
• Pollen website
• MinnesotaWorks.net
• College or University
• Community organization
• Job fair
• Professional association
• Saint Paul Elevate Session
• People of Color Career Fair
• Other

14
RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).
15
Are you currently a Saint Paul resident?

• Yes