Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Contract Administration

Class code: 003676
Bargaining unit(s): 207
Classification title: Transportation Generalist Senior
Function: Contract Administration (Roadway and/or Bridge Construction)
Kind of work: Intermediate level technical, skilled work, and/or lead work.

Nature & purpose

Under general supervision, an employee in this class performs moderately difficult duties related to Contract Administration (roadway and/or bridge construction) and performs related work as required.

This level is different from the Transportation Generalist in that at the Transportation Generalist Senior level, an employee initiates and/or prioritizes work activities, completes a variety of work assignments, and chooses the methods in which to complete work using acquired knowledge of the function.

An employee resolves semi-routine yet uncommon problems by searching for solutions learned from experience. An employee is responsible for completing multiple projects and/or work activities with competing deadlines and may set some priorities in the completion of work. Some employees at this level may perform as lead worker having considerable freedom to organize human, equipment, material, and other resources as well as prioritize, schedule, assign, direct, guide, and report on the work activities of other state employees.

Examples of work

A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned.

  • Assists the Chief Inspector on a significant portion of complex projects by completing complex inspection activities to ensure successful completion of projects.
  • Serves as the Chief Inspector on less complex construction projects to ensure successful completion of projects.
  • Performs and/or directs frequent/routine field testing of construction materials (for example. grading and base, bituminous, and concrete), analyzes test results, and verifies material quality and determines if construction materials meet MnDOT specifications.
  • Performs construction inspections and verifies the dimensions and tolerances of constructed roadway features to ensure conformance to plans and specifications.
  • Performs required complex inspection activities of grading and base or bridge projects, and bituminous and concrete paving operations to ensure successful completion of projects.
  • Reports known deficiencies to Chief Inspector and verifies corrections of known deficiencies to ensure the project complies with project documents.
  • Performs routine documentation to record location, quantity and quality of contract work and also completes required reports and administrative documentation (such as pay items, force account summaries, test reports, usage reports, etc.) within MnDOT requirements from letting to finalization to ensure records of work and materials used are accurate and timely.
  • Applies enforcement procedures to the contract for less complex construction projects or recommends the application of enforcement procedures to the Chief Inspector when working on the most complex projects to ensure successful completion of projects.
  • Monitors contractor and traffic control safety practices, ensures personal safety is protected, and ensures the project is completed using applicable safety practices, rules and programs. 
  • Provides work direction to assistant inspectors and/or student workers in gaining required technical skills through MnDOT’s technical certification program. 
  • Measures, computes, documents and enters pay items into Field Ops and determines amount of payment to contractor.
  • Interprets plans and specifications to ensure contractor compliance.
  • Monitors concrete and bituminous plants to ensure materials meet specifications and requirements.
  • Assists with final reviews on construction projects to ensure contractors have the appropriate certification.
  • Specifically for Bridge Construction Inspection, conducts steel fabrication inspection, pre-stressed concrete beam inspection, pre-cast concrete pipe and culvert inspection or other inspection of fabricated structural products not being manufactured at the construction site sufficient to do bridge structural materials inspection and non-destructive testing.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required to be proficient at the job 

Knowledge of:

  • MnDOT construction policies and procedures; state and federal Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations; special provisions; standards specifications; construction materials and MnDOT’s safety policies and procedures; and substantial knowledge and application of roadway and bridge construction practices sufficient to assist the Chief Inspector in completing complex inspection activities; basic documentation duties to successfully document contract from letting to finalization; materials testing; and application of contract enforcement procedures so project is completed within the terms of the contract and contract administration is completed in accordance with MnDOT policy and MnMUTCD.
  • 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.

Skill in:

  • Use of materials and testing equipment (e.g. DCP, concrete air tester, sieves, scales, etc.).
  • Use of safety equipment.
  • Use of computers and specialized programs.

Ability to:

Equipment
  • Use specialized equipment to perform very precise, exacting operations where maintaining close tolerances are critical to the successful completion of the job. 
Information Technology
  • Create and edit data files such as letters, memos, spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and GPS data files. 
  • Use CADD software to edit basic shapes and lines.
Interpersonal
  • Train others to perform tasks or operate equipment. 
  • Resolve interpersonal and workmanship-related conflicts.
Leadership
  • Lead crews. 
  • Look for opportunities to improve processes.
Math
  • Solve advanced geometry and trigonometry problems. 
  • Describe and use angle properties and characteristics. 
  • Calculate area, volume, and geometric characteristics of all plane and solid shapes.
Oral Communication
  • Deliver pre-planned informational presentations to groups. 
  • Answer questions from public in one-on-one situations, either in the field or by phone.
Problem-Solving
  • Advise or direct others. 
  • Determine when an issue warrants a creative departure from normally followed processes, practices, or guidelines. 
  • Teach others (Crew Chiefs).
Reading
  • Read construction plans, MnDOT manuals and spec books.
Written Communication
  • Generate notes, letters, memos, and departmental forms. 
  • Use Outlook.

Licenses, Certifications:

Some positions may require a driver’s license, as well as endorsements, specific to position demands and/or equipment required to perform the job within the work area posted.

Technical certification will be required specific to position demands and will be documented on the posting as to the justification of why specific certifications are necessary.

Minimum Qualifications:

Include years of experience, education, training, certifications, and licenses required at the time of application to be considered eligible for the vacancy.         

The level of experience to perform this job at the Transportation Generalist Senior level can be achieved with:

  • Two years of experience performing contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction) activities or related activities;

OR

  • A combination of one year of experience in any of the following areas may substitute for one year of performing contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction) activities: bridge maintenance, bridge safety inspection, contract administration (roadway and/or bridge construction), design, hydraulics, materials, soils, permits planning, pre-design, right of way, road surface/roadside maintenance, and signs, surveys, snow/ice, and/or traffic engineering.
  • Note:  A Two year Civil or Construction Technology Degree or the following four year degrees:  Architectural, Civil or Mechanical Engineering; Land Surveying / Geomatics; or equivalent may substitute 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).
  • 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.

Physical capabilities and environmental work conditions:

Requires occasionally lifting articles such as 75 pounds of sample materials and frequent lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes.  This job may require walking or 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. 

EST:

Rev:

  • 2-15-12 Updated degree
  • 6-10-13 Updated lifting requirements

Former Titles:

  • Highway Technician Intermediate