Geotechnical Drill Crew Member - Transp Generalist Senior

Working Title: Geotechnical Drill Crew Member

Job Class: Transportation Generalist Senior

Agency: Transportation Dept

• Job ID: 93014
• Location: Maplewood
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 03/23/2026
• Closing Date: 03/30/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Transportation Dept
• Division/Unit: Materials & Road Research
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Thursday (10 hour shifts)
• Travel Required: Yes - overnight, up to 75% travel
• Salary Range: $26.67 - $34.49 / hourly; $55,686 - $72,015 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 207 - Technical/AFSCME
• Work Area: Office of Materials/Maplewood Lab
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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 posting is for two vacancies.

• 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.
  
  

Performs field operations of the Foundations Crew while assisting in the operation of soil testing and sampling equipment in a safe and efficient manner for the investigation of subsurface soil, rock, and groundwater properties at transportation related sites across the State of Minnesota.

Examples of work for this TRANSPORTATION GENERALIST SENIOR (TGS) vacancy include but are not limited to:

• Ensures support vehicles and drilling equipment are in safe, working order and are ready to conduct effective subsurface investigation activities.
• Transports, operates and maintains drilling and heavy equipment, and support vehicles for subsurface investigations.
• Operates field equipment to investigate subsurface conditions in a safe and timely manner.
• Performs the testing, sample collection, and documentation to investigate subsurface conditions in a safe and timely manner.
• Trains, guides and monitors entry-level crew members in applying the technical knowledge and policies required to conduct safe and accurate subsurface investigations for transportation projects.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Licensure: A valid Class A CDL with no air brake restriction AND a tank endorsement (or ability to obtain the tank endorsement within 6 months of hire.)

The level of experience to perform this job at the TRANSPORTATION GENERALIST SENIOR (TGS) level can be achieved with:

• Two years of experience of materials testing.
  
  

OR

• Two years of boring or coring activities in support of geotechnical, environmental, construction or agricultural investigations or other related investigation activities.
  
  

OR

• One year of experience performing materials testing, boring or coring activities in support of agricultural, geotechnical, environmental, or construction investigations AND one year in any roadway construction, engineering support or roadway maintenance areas such as: soils, materials, traffic engineering, surveys, design, contract administration, hydraulics, or infrastructure maintenance.
  
  

Examples of boring or coring activities qualifying are as follows, but not limited to:

• Subsurface Exploration involving the use of various drilling equipment to test or recover soil samples for physical, chemical, geological, or environmental analysis.
• Well drilling duties involving operating drilling equipment to excavate holes in the ground, typically to access groundwater or other underground resources or to seal wells.
• Sanitary or stormwater drain field installation Involving the installation of subsurface, perforated, drainpipes into gravel (or other filter media) using trench excavation or trenchless installation methods.
• Utility locates involving “potholing” or performing vertical or trenchless excavation used to positively identify the depth and location of inplace utilities or other sensitive infrastructure along a planned drill alignment.
• Pipe or cable installation using a trenchless excavation method, involving horizontal directional drilling, to install underground utilities by drilling a horizontal bore path under roads, waterways, or buildings.
• Directional drilling involving excavation of a boring pit, directional boring, pulling back conduit, splicing conduit sections, pulling fiberoptic cable through conduit, setting hand holes, backfilling and seeding, core drilling and potholing, building penetrations and close out pictures and redlines.
• Geothermal field installation duties involving using specialized equipment for vertical or horizontal (borehole) excavation.
• Educational Substitution: Successful completion of a Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance Program (of at least 60 semester credits; or 90 quarter credits) substitutes for one year of experience. (In order for education coursework to be considered in lieu of work experience you must submit a copy of your transcripts.)
• Licensure Substitution: Limited Dewatering Well Contractor License or Limited Well Sealing Contractor License substitutes for one year of experience.
• Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of Nation Highway Institute’s Subsurface Exploration Qualification.
• Previous attendance at Shallow Drillers Exploration Clinic.
• Environmental Well Contractor Licensure through MN Department of Health.
• Previous MnDOT experience working as a Laborer, Transportation Associate or Transportation Generalist with documented satisfactory performance.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands of this job will vary but requires the ability to interpedently lift up to 100 pounds and jointly lift up to 150 pounds maximum with frequent moving and/or lifting or otherwise transfer of objects of various weights. This job also may require walking, moving, standing, to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls. This job may require strenuous physical labor including but not limited to digging, shoveling, hauling, crawling, bending, pushing, pulling and climbing.

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 Education/License Verification.

How To Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Alyssa Tardif at alyssa.tardif@state.mn.us

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Alyssa Tardif at alyssa.tardif@state.mn.us.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth
  
  

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
  
  

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
• MnDOT Student Loan Reimbursement Program (Visit Student Loan Reimbursement - Policies - MnDOT (state.mn.us) for more information).
  
  

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
  
  

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) encourages participation in all its programs, services and activities and does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities. Anyone who believes they may need a reasonable accommodation in order to fully participate in the job application, interview or selection processes may contact any agency official with whom applicant has contact in the processing of their employment application to request an accommodation. Applicants may also contact the MnDOT Affirmative Action office to request an accommodation by: E-mail: ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us; or by calling Janet Miller at 651/366-4720; or using MN Relay 711.

The MnDOT Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/policy/hr/hr009.html.