Materials Lab Specialist

Position Title:

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for a Materials Laboratory Specialist in the Materials Bureau. The position is responsible for directing various materials testing processes to ensure the quality, consistency, and efficiency of materials lab operations, to ensure that materials comply with specifications and to provide information and consultation for the development and application of materials and planning and conducting materials testing and analysis projects.

The position is also responsible for the accuracy and consistency of testing and results for the cement, concrete, fabric, and soils materials laboratories in the Materials Bureau. The position reports to the Concrete Supervisor.

Benefits of working for MDT and the State of Montana include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation)
• Employees in this position receive overtime compensation or compensatory time for all time in a pay status over 40 hours in a workweek

Benefits apply on first day of employment

• A resume detailing your qualifications and work history

Required

Education and Experience:

• The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Physical, or Environmental Science, or a related field
• This position requires a minimum of 2 years of work-related experience including, 1 year of progressively responsible experience in cement testing for highway and bridge construction and one 1 year progressively responsible experience in highway construction materials laboratory testing
• Experience testing the physical properties of Cement in a CCRL accredited lab is necessary to meet the cement testing requirement
• Alternatively, any combination of additional related work experience and education equivalent to the minimum qualifications, including 2 years progressively responsible experience in highway construction materials laboratory testing, with the ability to demonstrate proficiency in cement testing per ASTM C1222 within 90 calendar days from date of hire
• Lab management experience is preferred
• Requires a valid driver’s license. Requires obtaining ACI Strength Testing Technician Certification and WAQTC Concrete Field Testing Certification within 6 months of hire
• This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• This position requires knowledge of materials inspection and testing principles and practices; properties and characteristics of a variety of materials; laboratory testing protocols and procedures; highway construction methods and techniques, a variety of site specific circumstances and their impacts (soils, temperature, weather conditions, gradations, segregation, air contents, slumps, admixtures, absorption rates, etc.); safety practices and procedures; state, federal, AASHTO, FHWA, and ASTM standards and project specifications;
  
  the Montana Materials manual; material specifications; testing equipment diagnosis and repair; project administration; supervisory principles and practices; collective bargaining agreements; training and professional development principles; and technical writing
• This position requires skill in planning and coordinating materials testing projects; analyzing and interpreting technical test results; adapting testing methods and techniques to meet various material and project circumstances; and in operating a variety of testing equipment and…