Materials Lab Specialist

Water Resources Office; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is seeking a Materials Laboratory Specialist in Helena to direct diverse materials testing processes and ensure quality and compliance with specifications. You will oversee cement, concrete, fabric, and soils laboratories and support development and implementation of testing projects.

The role requires strong knowledge of testing protocols, lab management, and the ability to interpret results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Physical, or Environmental Science, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of work-related experience including 1 year in cement testing for highway/bridge construction and 1 year in highway construction materials laboratory testing.
• Experience testing the physical properties of Cement in a CCRL accredited lab.
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in cement testing per ASTM C1222 within 90 days of hire; WAQTC Concrete Field Testing certification within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee materials testing processes to ensure quality, consistency, and efficiency of lab operations.
• Ensure materials comply with specifications and provide information for materials development and testing projects.
• Plan and conduct materials testing and analysis projects with accuracy and consistency across cement, concrete, fabric, and soils labs.
• Report to the Concrete Supervisor and manage testing equipment and procedures.

Skills

Cement testing

Materials inspection

Lab testing protocols

Project planning

Supervisory principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Engineering/Physical/Environmental Science

Job description

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 general office equipment including a personal computer and associated business applications

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.

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.

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.

MDT participates 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

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : 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.

Salary

$31.49 - 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, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena

Agency

Department of Transportation

Union

Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Oct 1, 2026, 6:00:00 AM

Closing Date

Oct 16, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials

Resume

Contact Name

Brandi Hamilton

Contact Email

[e-mail]

Contact Phone

406-461-8343