Improving Public Works Construction Inspection Skills

Become one of the more than 6,800 inspectors and construction engineers from the U.S. and Canada who have tuned up their skills at this practical course. This course delivers a comprehensive foundation in construction inspection, covering essential topics like contracts, materials, sewer and water systems, concrete and asphalt paving, and erosion control. Participants will gain hands-on knowledge of inspection methods, documentation practices, and communication strategies that ensure quality and compliance. Whether you're new to inspection or seeking a refresher, this course will help you become a more effective and confident professional.

View course details

Who Should Attend?

Inspectors and engineering technicians new to the field or seeking formal training.
Engineers and managers responsible for construction oversight or specification development.
Public works personnel, lab technicians, and maintenance supervisors involved in inspection and quality assurance.

What You Will Learn

Apply core engineering principles and inspection techniques to public works construction projects.
Identify key inspection points for sewer, water, concrete, and asphalt systems to ensure quality and safety.
Improve documentation, communication, and coordination with contractors and stakeholders.

Course Details: RA00383-E372

Online Course Schedule 2027:

Live Session 1 Contracts, Plans, and Specifications: Framework for a Quality Project

Live Session 2 Concrete Pavement and Simple PW Concrete Structures: Key Inspection Points for Quality

Live Session 3 Asphalt Pavement Construction Inspection Using the Inspection Checklist

Live Session 4 Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction

Inspecting Storm Drainage, Grading, Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Storm Water BMP Construction</p

Live Session 6 Documentation and Workzone Traffic Control Inspection

In-person Course Outline:

Asphalt Pavement Construction: Using the Inspection Checklist

Importance of a soils and subgrade

Characteristics of asphaltic concrete
Pre-construction activities
Paving equipment and methods
Laying and compacting
Test methods and results

Contracts, Plans, and Specifications: Framework for a Quality Project

The inspector's role in quality
Interpreting contract documents
Knowing your authority
Keeping good records

Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction

Pipe characteristics: stress, strength, failure
Trenching, bedding, installation, backfill
Manholes, connections, laterals
Hydrants, valves, services
Acceptance testing
Documentation

Storm Sewer, Grading, and Storm Water BMP, and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspection

Construction Inspection Documentation
Concrete Pavement: Key IInspection Points for Quality Concrete Pavements
Desirable characteristics of concrete
Pre-construction activities
Paving and mixing equipment
Test methods and interpretation of results
Inspection during placing, finishing, and curing
Post-placement inspection activities

Plans, Specifications, and Inspection Exercise

Work Zone Traffic Control Inspection

*Schedule and instructors may vary by location, see website for full details.

Instructors
Benjamin Jordan
Program Director
Benjamin J. Jordan, P.E. is a Program Director at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, College of Engineering, Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, where he develops continuing education courses for civil engineers and public works professionals. He has over forty years of experience in civil engineering and public works. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign and a Master of Public Affairs degree with a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Mr. Jordan is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois, Washington, And Wisconsin.
Eric (RICK) Eilertson
Municipal Project Engineer/Manager
Rick Eilertson, PE is a Municipal Project Engineer/Manager at AECOM. He has experience in municipal engineering and environmental engineering
Todd Nelson
Associate Principal
Todd D. Nelson, PE, is an Associate Principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. He has over 25 years of experience specializing in troubleshooting, investigation, repairing of concrete distress and deterioration; specifying, proportioning, and testing of concrete. He serves on ASTM Committee C09 -Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, ACI Committee 360 - Design of Slabs on Ground and ACI Committee 302 - Construction of Concrete Floors. Mr. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois.
Timothy Murphy
Sales Manager
Program Director
Benjamin Jordan

Total Credits:

CEU 1.5,

LU 15,

PDH 15,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

"Course covered all aspects of public works construction projects. Great for someone new like me to learn new things about construction inspection."
—Ryan Gundstrom, Public Works Engineering Technicians, City of Superior, Wisconsin
"Learned a lot and heard a variety of viewpoints on issues in construction inspection."
—James Buskohl, Public Works Construction Inspector, City of Johnston, Iowa
"All the instructors were very responsive to technical and layman's questions. They were also very good at explaining topics in plain English."
—Chad Rehahn, Lockheed Martin, Washington

Course Details: RA00383-E374

Online Course Schedule 2027:

Live Session 1 Contracts, Plans, and Specifications: Framework for a Quality Project

Live Session 2 Concrete Pavement and Simple PW Concrete Structures: Key Inspection Points for Quality

Live Session 3 Asphalt Pavement Construction Inspection Using the Inspection Checklist

Live Session 4 Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction

Inspecting Storm Drainage, Grading, Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Storm Water BMP Construction</p

Live Session 6 Documentation and Workzone Traffic Control Inspection

In-person Course Outline:

Asphalt Pavement Construction: Using the Inspection Checklist

Importance of a soils and subgrade

Characteristics of asphaltic concrete
Pre-construction activities
Paving equipment and methods
Laying and compacting
Test methods and results

Contracts, Plans, and Specifications: Framework for a Quality Project

The inspector's role in quality
Interpreting contract documents
Knowing your authority
Keeping good records

Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction

Pipe characteristics: stress, strength, failure
Trenching, bedding, installation, backfill
Manholes, connections, laterals
Hydrants, valves, services
Acceptance testing
Documentation

Storm Sewer, Grading, and Storm Water BMP, and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspection

Construction Inspection Documentation
Concrete Pavement: Key IInspection Points for Quality Concrete Pavements
Desirable characteristics of concrete
Pre-construction activities
Paving and mixing equipment
Test methods and interpretation of results
Inspection during placing, finishing, and curing
Post-placement inspection activities

Plans, Specifications, and Inspection Exercise

Work Zone Traffic Control Inspection

*Schedule and instructors may vary by location, see website for full details.

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

608-262-1122

866-301-1753

Lodging

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Accommodations include: Enjoy complimentary business center, WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, 42-inch HDTV, and executive desk. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

877-773-5866

608-441-7117

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.

More Madison Lodging Options

Instructors
Benjamin Jordan
Program Director
Benjamin J. Jordan, P.E. is a Program Director at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, College of Engineering, Interdisciplinary Professional Programs, where he develops continuing education courses for civil engineers and public works professionals. He has over forty years of experience in civil engineering and public works. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign and a Master of Public Affairs degree with a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from the University of Missouri – Columbia. Mr. Jordan is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois, Washington, And Wisconsin.
Timothy Murphy
President
Timothy R. Murphy, PE is president of Murphy Pavement Technology, Chicago, Illinois. He is involved in asphalt pavement teaching, training and troubleshooting nationwide. Murphy works on pavement management, mix design, quality control, construction practices, and failure investigation for government agencies, contractors and consultants and facility owners.
Eric (RICK) Eilertson
Municipal Project Engineer/Manager
Rick Eilertson, PE is a Municipal Project Engineer/Manager at AECOM. He has experience in municipal engineering and environmental engineering
Todd Nelson
Associate Principal
Todd D. Nelson, PE, is an Associate Principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois. He has over 25 years of experience specializing in troubleshooting, investigation, repairing of concrete distress and deterioration; specifying, proportioning, and testing of concrete. He serves on ASTM Committee C09 -Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, ACI Committee 360 - Design of Slabs on Ground and ACI Committee 302 - Construction of Concrete Floors. Mr. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Illinois.
Program Director
Benjamin Jordan

Total Credits:

CEU 1.5,

LU 15,

PDH 15,

Course Administration

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.

"Course covered all aspects of public works construction projects. Great for someone new like me to learn new things about construction inspection."
—Ryan Gundstrom, Public Works Engineering Technicians, City of Superior, Wisconsin
"Learned a lot and heard a variety of viewpoints on issues in construction inspection."
—James Buskohl, Public Works Construction Inspector, City of Johnston, Iowa
"All the instructors were very responsive to technical and layman's questions. They were also very good at explaining topics in plain English."
—Chad Rehahn, Lockheed Martin, Washington

Improving Public Works Construction Inspection Skills

2027 and later

Who Should Attend?

What You Will Learn

Course Details: RA00383-E372

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Expanded accordion Course Schedule

Expanded accordion Instructors and Program Director

Course Administration

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Expanded accordion Payment Options

Expanded accordion Cancellation Policy

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Course Details: RA00383-E374

Expanded accordion Course Outline

Expanded accordion Course Schedule

Expanded accordion Location and Lodging

Expanded accordion Instructors and Program Director

Course Administration

Expanded accordion Fee Information

Expanded accordion Payment Options

Expanded accordion Cancellation Policy

Stay Connected

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