Improving Public Works Construction Inspection Skills

Online Course Schedule 2025

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

Live Session 2 Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction

Live Session 3 Inspecting Sewer and Water Construction (Continued) and Storm Sewer Grading, and Storm Water BMP Inspection

Live Session 4  Concrete Pavement and Simple Public Works Concrete Structures - Key Inspection Points for Quality Concrete Pavements

Live Session 5  Solving Asphalt Pavement Construction Problems through Observation and Inspection and Inspection Documentation and Work Zone Traffic Control Inspection

In-person:

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

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

Asphalt Pavement Construction: Using the Inspection Checklist

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

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 Inspection

Concrete Pavement Key Inspection Points for Quality Concrete Pavements and Simple Public Works Structures

• 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 

Erosion Control Inspection: Installation, Inspection, and Maintenance

• Soil erosion basics
• Erosion and sediment control methods and materials
• Inspection and maintenance procedures and checklists

Work Zone Traffic Control Inspection

Registration Date/Time:
1/15/2026 8:45am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 1/15/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time
• 1/22/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time
• 1/29/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time
• 2/5/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time
• 2/12/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time
• 2/19/2026  9:00am - 11:00am Central Time

• 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

• Program Director

  Benjamin Jordan

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials.

When two or more sign up from same employer, your course discount is $109.5.

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.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment 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.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.