Density Technician

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.

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, as needed.
• 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 test result database.
• Calibrate and perform routine maintenance on gauge equipment to ensure accurate, non-destructive readings.
• Manage roadway construction testing: temperature, layer thickness, compacted in place 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 being 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 lab core compaction results. Adjust roller patterns as required to achieve density criteria.
• Communicate with Asphalt Plant Technicians at plants on mix characteristics and specific gravity values.
• Prepare 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.
• Assist in transporting equipment securely and comply with safety regulations.
• Collaborate with supervisory staff to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

• Work environment is primarily field work on outside construction sites involving long-term standing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to work in outside weather conditions such as wet and/or humid environments, extreme cold or heat, and dust.
• Ability to use hands to handle or feel, reach, climb, balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel, and sit.
• Ability to see and smell; including close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth vision, and 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, density field equipment); and occasionally move more than 100 pounds (e.g., a loaded wheelbarrow of asphalt).
• Ability to operate a core drill and/or power saw.
• Must be able to work in and around noisy work environments with noise levels typically being moderate to moderately loud.

• Minimum of a high school diploma or GED; an 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 the candidate does not possess these, they must be able to obtain them as a condition of employment within a designated period.
• Basic math skills and the ability to use them 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 or deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment drug screening as well as random tests throughout employment if selected.

• Medical
• Health Savings Account
• Dental
• Employer paid life/AD&D insurance
• Vision
• Employer paid short‑term disability
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Employee Wellness Program

This job description should not be construed to imply that this is the exclusive standard of the position. Employees are directed to follow additional instructions and perform related duties as may be required by their supervisor.