Materials Laboratory Technician (Chemical Lab Technician)

State of South Dakota; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Well-being program

Employee assistance program

Dental and Vision

Health savings account

Life insurance

Retirement system

Job summary

State of South Dakota through the Department of Transportation, Central Materials Laboratory, seeks a Materials Lab Technician in Pierre, SD. The role tests highway construction materials, generates reports, and ensures equipment calibration, with duties performed indoors in a laboratory and outdoors as needed.

Entry-level position with an Associate degree in civil engineering technology and related field; certifications may be pursued within the first year.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in civil engineering technology or related field is required.
• Experience in highway construction inspection and materials testing is preferred.
• Certification in materials testing areas may be required within the first year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Perform sampling and testing of materials used in highway construction and maintenance.
• Generate reports and determine the acceptability of tests performed.
• Maintain and repair testing equipment and calibrate devices including nuclear density gauges.
• Provide training and guidance on testing procedures as needed.

Skills

Materials testing

Math calculations

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in civil engineering technology

Tools

Test equipment operation

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job ID: 36976

Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Planning & Engineering

Location: Pierre, SD

Salary: $25.02 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 08/24/2026

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Transportation. For more information about the Department of Transportation, please visit http://dot.sd.gov .

This position is located in the South Dakota DOT's Central Materials Laboratory. It oversees the operations of the chemical laboratory. Duties may include, but are not limited to perform testing on highway construction materials (e.g., traffic markings, silicone, wood, corrugated metal pipe, structural bolts); generate reports and determine acceptability of tests performed; maintain and repair equipment associated with testing; responsible for maintenance, calibration, etc. of DOT's nuclear density gauges and transfers knowledge and teaches testing procedures for certification courses.

Work assignments are performed primarily indoors with some outdoor duties. Indoor work is in a materials laboratory with exposure to dust, chemicals, noise and hot materials. Limited exposure to low level nuclear radiation. Outdoor duties are performed at material supplier’s facilities. Outdoor working conditions include work in all-weather types. Some longer workdays can be expected to complete work. Very limited overnight travel.

What The SDDOT Offers

• Health insurance (low and high deductible plans which include a $0 premium employee-only coverage plan)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental and Vision
• Health savings account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
  
  

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Materials Lab Technician is approximately $72,490 annually.

Licenses And Certifications

Certification in one or more materials testing areas and/or one or more inspection areas is required within the first year of employment. Further certification areas will be determined by the supervisor according to job responsibility and needs. Required certifications must be maintained for continued employment. Classes and training in the certification areas are provided through the Department of Transportation.

A valid driver's license is required.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

Associate degree in civil engineering technology or related field and experience in highway construction inspection and materials testing.

Responsibilities

Knowledge of:

• techniques and procedures involved in the sampling and testing of materials used in the construction and maintenance of highways;
• the uses of common highway construction material testing equipment (preferred but not required).
  
  

Skills To

• computer skills to operate test equipment, Microsoft Office and Department specific software;
• mechanical skills to operate and maintain equipment;
• perform mathematical calculations accurately.
  
  

Ability To

• perform highway construction materials testing within acceptable standards;
• understand and comprehend written materials in order to follow procedures;
• set priorities, schedule activities, acquire resources, and monitor progress to ensure the successful completion of projects and assignments;
• attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
• listen attentively to others and clearly convey information and ideas;
• display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate;
• provide training, guidance, and feedback to help others develop specific knowledge and skills needed to perform tasks;
• actively identifies development needs, takes advantage of development opportunities, and applies newly learned knowledge and skills on the job;
• read, interpret and implement state and federal laws, policies, procedures, and standards in a variety of sampling and testing activities;
• communicate effectively with SDDOT personnel and material suppliers;
• maintain positive working relationships;
• prioritize workload, schedule and complete work within timeframes;
• provide training and work directions to others;
• use arms, legs and back to safely move, drag, lift 30 pounds frequently, up to 50 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 100 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
• sit or stand for extended periods of time.
  
  

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration