Density Technician

Adams Construction Company; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Health Savings Account

Dental

Employer paid life/AD&D insurance

Vision

Employer paid short term disability

401K

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Employee Wellness Program

Job summary

Adams Construction Company seeks a Density Technician to perform field and laboratory testing of asphalt materials, recording results and ensuring compaction quality on active construction sites. You will work within the quality control department of our asphalt road crews and/or laboratory, coordinating with foremen and other technicians.

The role requires experience in density testing, NDG gauges, and core sampling, with a focus on safety and accuracy under varying weather conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; AA/AS degree for trainee technician positions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• 2–3 years of direct construction material testing experience with certifications in VDOT Asphalt Field I & II and Nuclear Gauge Safety Training Plus Hazmat.
• Basic math skills and ability to read maps, follow directions, and interpret plans.
• Willing to work overtime, nights, and/or weekends as needed.
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening and random tests.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine field and laboratory tests on aggregates and asphalt.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain nuclear density gauges for density and moisture tests.
• Record, analyze, and report test results to site supervisors and quality control teams.
• Calibrate and maintain gauge equipment to ensure accurate readings.
• Support roadway construction testing including temperature, layer thickness, and compaction.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Math skills

Reading construction plans

Education

High school diploma/GED

AA/AS degree (trainee)

Tools

Nuclear density gauge

Core drill

Density testing equipment

Job description

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

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.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine field and/or laboratory tests and assist in more complex tasks, as needed. This may include the following:
  • Aggregates – Sampling and performing sieve analysis.
  • Asphalt – Sampling and performing HMA (hot mix asphalt) tests in both field and laboratory settings using nuclear density gauge and core machines in the field; and solvents and sampling at high temperatures in the laboratory.
• 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.
• Roadway construction testing: temperature, layer thickness, compaction 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.
• 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.

Physical Requirements

• 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 your 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 being moderate to moderately loud.

Qualifications

• 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 candidate does not possess, they must be able to obtain as condition of employment within 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.
• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment drug screening as well as random tests throughout employment if selected.

Benefits

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

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