Density Technician- Blacksburg

Adams Construction Company is one of the oldest asphalt paving firms in Virginia. Since 1946, Adams has participated in the construction of every interstate throughout Virginia and most of the primary highways. Throughout the company’s growth in Virginia and into North Carolina, it has strived to maintain a family culture in a corporate world.

The Density Technician will be responsible for working primarily on active construction sites and will be involved with field observation, testing, sampling, and inspection of asphalt placement. They ensure compliance with safety regulations, transport equipment securely, document, and analyze test results to verify compaction quality on job sites. This position is available in our quality control department for our asphalt road crews and/or laboratory.

• Perform routine field and/or laboratory tests and assist in more complex tasks such as: sampling and performing sieve analysis on aggregates; performing HMA tests using nuclear density gauge and core machines in the field, and high‑temperature laboratory testing.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain nuclear density/moisture gauges to test construction materials (soil, asphalt, concrete) for density and moisture content.
• Record, analyze, and report test results to site supervisors, engineers, and quality control teams; maintain the test result database.
• Calibrate and perform routine maintenance on gauge equipment to ensure accurate, non‑destructive readings.
• Conduct roadway construction testing: temperature, layer thickness, compressive density, and sampling.
• Communicate hourly with foreman to identify production goals, production pace, depth required, and roller power required to achieve specifications.
• Maintain constant communication with roller operators regarding density achieved to verify that paving speed and rolling speed are in concert; adjust speed and pattern accordingly.
• Perform verification cores daily to calibrate nuclear gauge compaction results and laboratory core compaction results, adjusting roller patterns as required to achieve density criteria.
• Communicate with asphalt plant technicians at plants on mix characteristics and specific gravity values.
• Perform and package loose box material samples for DOT; perform core drilling and packaging for DOT acceptance; complete and submit all required paperwork for gauge operations.
• Transport, store, and maintain nuclear gauge in accordance with NRC regulations.

• Work environment is primarily field work on outside construction sites involving long‑term standing and repetitive motions at times.
• Able to work in outside weather conditions such as wet and/or humid environments, extreme cold and/or heat, among dust.
• Ability to use hands to handle or feel; reach, climb or balance; crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit.
• Ability to see and smell; including close, distance and peripheral vision, depth vision and ability to focus.
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move/shake up to 40 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 60–80 pounds (asphalt, core samples, and density field equipment); and occasionally move more than 100 pounds (such as a loaded wheelbarrow of asphalt).
• Ability to operate a core drill and/or power saw.
• Able to work in and around noisy work environments with noise levels typically moderate to moderately loud.

• A minimum of a high school diploma/GED; AA/AS degree required for trainee technician positions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ideal applicants will have at least 2–3 years of direct construction material testing experience with certifications and/or training in VDOT Asphalt Field I and II, as well as Nuclear Gauge Safety Training Plus Hazmat Course from Troxler Learning Center. If a candidate does not possess, they must be able to obtain them as a condition of employment within a designated period.
• Basic math skills and ability to utilize when obtaining calculations.
• Ability to read maps, follow directions, and interpret construction plans and testing requirements.
• Ability to work overtime, nights, and/or weekends, depending on project needs/deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to pass a pre‑employment drug screening as well as random tests throughout employment if selected.