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In today's competitive job market, local agencies need to grow their employee pipeline through various outreach strategies. This toolkit is intended to help broaden the reach and impact of job postings to ensure that local agencies are developing and marketing an exciting and desired career option. This toolkit includes sample job descriptions, tips for marketing through social media, local agency best practices, and a list of community resources and services to make deeper connections with local career seekers.

Local transportation agencies in Minnesota and elsewhere are facing a growing workforce shortage. In particular, public works jobs with local agencies across Minnesota remain understaffed and, as a result, maintenance and construction projects may be delayed. This publication is intended to build awareness of exciting career opportunities for students and job seekers and to address the pressing workforce needs within the transportation departments of local agencies.

Many local public works agencies across Minnesota are struggling to hire and retain enough qualified staff. This guide is part of a Minnesota Local Road Research Board initiative to help local transportation agencies meet their workforce needs. The purpose of this guide is to support local transportation agencies in community outreach about careers. It includes tools, tips, and strategies to plan and manage outreach activities and communicate with students. The guide also provides a long-term, sustainable plan for ongoing efforts

The Training Roadmap for Civil Engineering Technicians is a tool to bring agencies and employees together to meet their mutual needs. Agencies can use the tool to train new hires and groom current staff for advancement. Employees can chart a path for skillset development and career growth.

This spreadsheet accompanies the Community Outreach Guide for Local Transportation Agencies, which provides tools and tips to help local agencies raise awareness in their communities about transportation careers. These documents are part of the Expanding the Transportation Workforce project sponsored by the Minnesota Local Road Research Board. The project was guided by a technical advisory panel of experienced transportation professionals from a variety of local agencies and private firms from around the state.

The Training Roadmap for Civil Engineering Technicians is a tool to help agencies and employees identify and plan training needed for civil engineering technician positions. Agencies can use the tool to train new hires and groom current staff for advancement. Employees can chart a path for skillset development and career growth. The roadmap’s flexible design allows users to adapt to the unique needs of both the agency and the employee. Agencies can customize the tool by adding additional courses, trainings, certifications, and categories.

The Minnesota Local Road Research Board's Local Operational Research Assistance Program, or the Local OPERA Program, helps to develop innovations in the construction and maintenance operations of local government transportation organizations. The Local OPERA Program encourages maintenance employees from all cities and counties to get involved in operational or hands-on research. In particular, OPERA helps to develop your great ideas locally and share those ideas statewide. The Local OPERA Program funds projects up to $10,000. OPERA project selections are made as projects are submitted. OPERA-funded projects also may receive support from other sources, including cities, counties, suppliers, or manufacturers. Projects are funded in two parts. The local agency is eligible for 80 percent of the total approved project cost when initial project results are submitted. The remaining 20 percent will be paid upon submission of a final report. This report is a compilation of projects completed during the past year by local government transportation organizations receiving OPERA support.

The Minnesota Local Road Research Board's Local Operational Research Assistance Program, or the Local OPERA Program, helps to develop innovations in the construction and maintenance operations of local government transportation organizations. The Local OPERA Program encourages maintenance employees from all cities and counties to get involved in operational or hands-on research. In particular, OPERA helps to develop your great ideas locally and share those ideas statewide. The Local OPERA Program funds projects up to $10,000. OPERA project selections are made as projects are submitted. OPERA-funded projects also may receive support from other sources, including cities, counties, suppliers, or manufacturers. Projects are funded in two parts. The local agency is eligible for 80 percent of the total approved project cost when initial project results are submitted. The remaining 20 percent will be paid upon submission of a final report. This report is a compilation of projects completed during the past year by local government transportation organizations receiving OPERA support.