Lead Technician – M&T Structural Materials Lab

State of North Carolina; North Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Transportation's Materials and Tests Unit in Raleigh seeks an Engineering Specialist I (S) to perform routine material tests and evaluations, providing quality assurance for materials used in North Carolina roadways. This hands-on role requires following SOPs and test methods from AASHTO, ASTM, or the Department.

The candidate will operate lab equipment, maintain qualifications for accreditation, and analyze data to ensure accuracy and trends, collaborating with

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in engineering technology with six years of progressive technician experience.
• High School or GED diploma with eight years of progressive technician experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine material tests and evaluations in a laboratory environment to provide quality assurance for materials used in North Carolina’s roadways.
• Use standard operating procedures and test methods developed by AASHTO, ASTM, or the Department.
• Maintain qualifications and conduct testing to uphold the laboratory’s accreditation.
• Handle materials tested including concrete cylinders, cores, metal reinforcement, cement, and curing compounds.

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering technology

Job description

Agency

Dept of Transportation

Division

State Hwy Administrator - Div of Hwys

Job Classification Title

Engineering Specialist I (S)

Position Number

60027318

Grade

NC13

About Us

It’s the mission of the NC Department of Transportation to connect people, products and places safely and efficiently with customer focus, accountability, and environmental sensitivity to enhance the economy and vitality of North Carolina. We encourage you to consider joining NCDOT where our work not only serves the citizens of North Carolina but has an impact on our world through all modes of transportation.

Description of Work

Please note that all positions close at 12:00 AM on the posted closing date. You must apply by 11:59 PM prior to the posted closing date.

This is a repost. Previous applicants must reapply to be considered.

This posting is for an Engineering Specialist I position in the Structural Materials Lab at the Materials and Tests (M&T) Unit Central Laboratory in Raleigh. This position is responsible for performing a variety of routine material tests and evaluations in a laboratory environment to provide Quality Assurance for materials used in North Carolina’s roadways. This individual must be able to use standard operating procedures and industry test methods developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or the Department. This position is hands‑on and requires an individual to be proficient working with laboratory equipment and handling materials being tested. This position will also be required to maintain qualifications and conduct testing associated with maintaining the laboratory’s accreditation.

Materials tested are predominantly concrete cylinders, concrete cores, metal reinforcement, assorted metal hardware, cement, supplementary cementitious materials, water, grout, and curing compound. The tests performed will include (but are not limited to): compression testing, tensile testing, time of set testing, normal consistency measurements, flow table testing, fine particle sieving, specific gravity, Chace indicator calibration, and specific surface area measurements.

Core aptitudes include:

• Material preparation and testing.
• Time management to accommodate and coordinate time sensitive testing.
• Analytical skills for performing data review to ensure accuracy, monitor trends, and take corrective action, if necessary.
• Technical expertise to provide guidance for colleagues within and outside the department.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade and Salary Range: NC13 $50,088 - $87,654

Management prefers applicants with the following:

• Experience performing field or laboratory-based tests on engineered materials.
• Experience in the use of applicable software including Microsoft Office products and databases.
• Experience interpreting data and communicating results effectively with stakeholders.
• Experience planning, developing, scheduling, tracking and completing tasks independently with limited supervision.
• Experience operating and calibrating testing equipment.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate’s degree in an applicable area of engineering technology from an appropriately accredited institution and six (6) years of progressive technician experience; or High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and eight (8) years of progressive technician experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and work experience and that you answer all questions associated with the application.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.