Field Project Technician - Materials Lab

Montana Historical Society; Miles City (MT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Montana Department of Transportation in Miles City is seeking a Field Project Technician in the Materials Lab to inspect, sample, and test construction materials for conformance to specs and contracts. The role includes staking and surveying duties and mentoring less experienced technicians.

Multiple levels (L1–L3) with escalating experience requirements are described, with a pathway through the job ladder and potential overtime or compensatory time as applicable.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of project inspection and testing procedures and materials.
• Experience with site documentation and field data collection.
• Ability to interpret design plans and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct inspection, sampling, and testing procedures.
• Coordinate staking and surveying tasks on project sites.
• Provide guidance to junior technicians and assist with field notes and data recording.

Skills

Site inspection

Testing procedures

Surveying

Communication

Reading plans

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Gilson shaker

Nuclear gauge

Sieves

Survey equipment

Job description

Job Description - Field Project Technician - Materials Lab (26142381)

Position Title: Field Project Technician - Materials Lab - ( 26142381 )

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for a Field Project Technician in the Miles City Materials Lab! This position serves as an experienced Field Project Technician within the District and is responsible for coordinating and conducting various inspection, sampling, and testing procedures to verify that construction project features and materials conform with standard specifications, Department requirements, and contract agreements. The position is also responsible for coordinating and conducting staking and surveying procedures and performing a variety of other duties as assigned. The position reports to the Field Project Technician III and provides guidance and technical assistance to less experienced Field Project Technicians performing routine inspections, sampling, testing, and surveying procedures.

This position is part of a career ladder with career advancement opportunities.

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

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance


• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families


• 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

The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, including coursework in algebra, geometry or trigonometry.

This position (L1) requires no engineering technician-related experience.

Field Project Technician Level 2 ($24.25)

The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, including coursework in algebra, geometry or trigonometry.

This position (L2) requires one (1) year of engineering technician-related experience.

Field Project Technician Level 3 ($27.09)

The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, including coursework in algebra, geometry or trigonometry.

This position requires two (2) years of experience in highway construction or related field (e.g., laboratory testing, transportation design, engineering, etc.).

Jr. Engineering Coordinator ($31.49)

The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, including coursework in algebra, geometry or trigonometry.

This position requires three (3) years of experience in highway construction or related field (e.g., laboratory testing, transportation design, engineering, etc.).

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:

The position requires knowledge of project inspection and testing procedures, including site features and materials; general construction engineering principles; sampling and laboratory testing procedures; State, AASHTO, FHWA, and ASTM standards and specifications; and maintenance and calibration of specialized tools and equipment. The position also requires knowledge of surveying and highway construction methods and operations; project implementation and documentation techniques; project design and construction criteria and standards; properties and characteristics of materials components and the impacts of site specific circumstances (e.g., soils, temperature, weather conditions, gradations, segregation, stability, flows, additives, absorption rates, etc.); highway construction terminology; business English; and basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

The position requires skill in reviewing, interpreting and applying design plans and specifications to site circumstances; acquiring and documenting field data; constructing sets of field notes; interpreting site conditions (e.g., elevations, features, etc.); and communicating effectively with contractors, landowners, and other Department personnel. The position also requires skill in operating specialized sampling and testing equipment (e.g., Gilson shaker, nuclear gauge, sieves, survey equipment, etc.) and office equipment used to calculate and record data (e.g., PCs, calculator, laptop computers, VAX system, etc.).

Other Information

Driver's record will be verified. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release form which authorizes the Department to obtain the applicant's permanent driving records. Compliance with Mont. Admin. R. 2.6.201, \"State Vehicle Use,\" and MDT Policy #6.03.001, \"State Vehicle Use Policy\" are conditions of employment. (if applicable)

This position is being posted in accordance with the bargaining unit agreement. Non-bargaining unit employees or employees of another bargaining unit may apply. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit applicant, the non-bargaining unit applicants may be considered. However, bargaining unit applicants will have preference.

The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is committed to continuous improvement of our employee safety program and our safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Generally, sponsorship for work authorization is not available through the State of Montana.

Effective 5/26/2026, MDT is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov

Salary

23.46 - 31.49 Hourly

Telework Eligibility

Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility

• Health Insurance


• Paid Leave & Holidays


• Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status

Regular

Schedule

Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location

Miles City

Agency

Department of Transportation

Union

Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Sep 23, 2026, 10:07:30 PM

Closing Date

Oct 9, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials : None

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.