Highway Materials Lab Tester - Materials Technician 1

Full Job Description

Are you experienced in materials science or construction, with practical skills in material testing, documentation, and analysis? The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) Laboratory Testing Section is seeking a meticulous and committed Materials Technician 1 to become part of our vibrant team. This role requires strong critical thinking abilities and a capacity to adapt quickly to project changes. If you aspire to grow your career in a field that prioritizes innovation and quality, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to engage in impactful work and pave the way for a fulfilling career!

Requirements

As a Highway Materials Lab Tester, you will be responsible for preparing samples for testing and conducting tests according to established protocols.

Testing will be largely focused on various asphalt types such as asphalt concrete pavement core samples, asphalt mixture samples, liquid cutback asphalt samples, liquid binder samples, and emulsified asphalt samples.

It is crucial to perform these tests accurately and promptly to align with the Quality Management System (QMS) objectives and turnaround times.

Compliance with the PennDOT Laboratory Testing Section (LTS) and QMS procedures is essential to uphold ISO/IEC 17025 and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) accreditations.

Additionally, you will need to ensure that testing equipment, including scales and sieves, is calibrated and in good working condition prior to use.

Regular checks and maintenance of the equipment must be conducted to ensure results fall within the specified tolerances, with all maintenance documented in the Equipment Logbook as per QMS requirements.

Any issues with equipment performance or calibration must be reported to a supervisor or manager immediately.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Technical Assistant (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of experience in the testing of materials used in highway, bridge, building, hydraulic or similar construction projects and graduation from high school; or
• An Associate's Degree in a civil engineering technology or closely related field; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  1. your score may be lower than deserved.
  2. you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.