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Posted: February 6, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Materials Technician 4

State of Iowa

645 Iowa Department of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Salary

$25.38 - $38.56

per hour

Closes

February 17, 2026More State jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves testing and inspecting construction materials like pipes, fabrics, and metals in a state lab to ensure they meet quality standards for transportation projects.

You'll handle samples, run tests using specialized machines, record results, and answer questions from team members and suppliers.

It's a great fit for someone detail-focused with hands-on technical skills who enjoys lab work and can manage physical tasks like lifting up to 50 pounds.

Key Requirements

  • Strong technical expertise in materials testing and quality assurance
  • Ability to operate and maintain universal testing machines (manual and computer-controlled)
  • Proficiency in recording data in electronic databases
  • Knowledge of ASTM, AASHTO, and other testing standards
  • Excellent organizational skills for receiving, checking, and prioritizing samples
  • Valid driver's license
  • Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs and pass a pre-employment physical

Full Job Description

Iowa Department of Transportation’s Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation.

To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.


Location: Ames


Shift Requirements: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.; 40 hours/week; occasional travel across the state


The Construction and Materials Bureau is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional to join our General Test and Metals Labs as a Materials Technician 4.


As a Materials Technician 4, you will:

  • Receive, check-in and prioritize samples from the field.
    • Perform quality assurance testing on construction materials such as;
    • General Test Lab – curing compounds, plastic pipe, geosynthetic fabrics, etc.
    • Metals Lab – high strength fasteners, prestressing cable, reinforcing steel, etc.
    • Operate and maintain manual and computer controlled universal testing machines.
    • Record test results in our electronic database.
    • Maintain compliance with ASTM, AASHTO and other standards.
    • Provide technical support and communication by handling inquiries from Iowa DOT personnel, vendors, and contractors.
    • This position requires strong technical expertise, organizational skills, and the ability to lift to 50 lbs. You will play a key role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the Central Materials Lab.


Special Requirements:


What we offer YOU:

  • Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
  • Insurance benefits start first of the month following 30 days of employment. 2025 health and dental insurance premiums can be found here
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year
  • Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
  • Optional 401A plan with employer contributions
  • Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial)


We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!


You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa – Apply today!

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

Reasonable accommodation such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment / devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Five years of full-time work experience in the sampling and testing of materials, and/or inspection of:

a. Highway construction and maintenance projects; and/or

b. Bridge construction and maintenance projects.

2) All of the following (a and b):

a. Three years of full-time work experience (as described in number one); and

b. A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where 30 thirty semester hours or equivalent of college, university or technical school course work with an emphasis in engineering, metallurgy, geology, or chemistry equals one year of full-time experience.

3) All of the following (a and b):

a. Three years of full-time work experience (as described in number one); and

b. An Associate of Applied Science degree, a certificate, or equivalent in Civil Engineering Technology from an accredited community college.

4) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural or transportation engineering or in engineering management and one-year experience as described in number one above.

5) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Materials Technician 3 or Highway Technician Senior.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Information

Designated positions in this class require possession of a valid Commercial Learner’s Permit upon hire.

Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, a valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with the required endorsements and applicable restrictions must be obtained and subsequently maintained to continue employment.

  • If a CDL is not required, designated positions are required to have and maintain a minimum of a valid Class C Non-Commercial Operator’s License.
  • In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 40 and 382), designated positions in this job class require a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer’s random drug and alcohol testing program and will be subject to the regulations regarding the Federal drug and alcohol program.
  • Prior to starting employment, all persons are required to have a post offer pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
  • Positions require certification for testing materials and operating specialized equipment as required by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Technical Training and Certification Program for Highway Materials and Construction; and/or other certifications as required. 
  • Employees must be able to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments. 
  • Employees in designated positions must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours
  • Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 2/6/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/7/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-iowa-5228942