Job Description

Location: Construction and Materials Bureau, Ames, Iowa

Shift: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, hours may vary, some overnight travel may be required

Iowa DOT’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 DOT’s five CORE values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception.

The Iowa DOT is looking to hire a motivated individual who has a desire to get involved with soils and aggregate testing. Soils and aggregates are the foundation that supports all building processes for the Iowa DOT. If you are looking for a fast-paced, challenging and rewarding career apply for this position. You will be part a hard charging team, testing and evaluating aggregates and soils. The results of these tests will help to ensure success of future highway projects. In addition to testing the aggregates for consistency the team tests aggregates for freeze thaw damage susceptibility, pore structure, abrasion, and chemical analysis using xrd and xrf machines. Research is being conducted to verify the effectiveness of a digital particle shape and size analyzer, as well as to verify a provisional national specification on the 3rd generation of the Iowa Pore Index test. The team is also involved with testing and classifying soil types to determine bearing capacities. This position is located in Ames, IA. Being near the center of the state allows us the ability to provide timely information to our customers.

Desired abilities:

• Works collaboratively with diverse group of people
• Maintains an attitude of determination and dedication
• Displays high standards of ethical conduct
• Treats customers and teammates courteously and is responsive to their needs
• Commits to providing a high-quality product and service
• Addresses and listens to others in respectful manner
• Motivates others towards completing a common goal

Material Technician 3 Responsibilities:

• Performs various aggregates and soils test in laboratory. The tests performed include (but are not limited to): determinations of specific gravity and absorption, sieve analysis, abrasion resistance, determinations of shale, chert, clay, silt, and materials finer than No. 200 sieve, resistance to freezing and thawing, pore index, salt susceptibility of aggregate, soil sample preparations, density, proctor, modified proctor, consolidation, triaxial compression, mechanical analysis, Atterburg limits, and carbon content in soil.
• Helps the office and District Materials personnel on issues and information related to testing and test results.
• Performs mathematical calculations to ensure compliance with project plans, percent complete, quantity used, and areas measured
• Helps with maintenance and calibration of test equipment, so they remain in proper operational condition and in compliance with specifications.
• Ensures that testing is completed according to the standards.
• Maintains detailed records of all test procedures
• Operates computers and applies related software applications
• Acts as the liaison with Iowa DOT staff, and producers.

What we offer YOU:

• Team-oriented, positive work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Excellent pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Biweekly vacation accrual and separate sick leave
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions
• Employee Discount Programs from variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial)

Excited to pursue the next step in your career? Apply today!

If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employment selection process, please direct your inquiries to the following email: aa-eeo@iowadot.us

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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

1) Three years of full-time experience in the sampling, and testing of materials, and/or inspection of materials used in the highway construction and maintenance projects.

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

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

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

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

a. One year 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.

5) Possession of a verification of graduation with major course work in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, mechanics, structural or transportation engineering or in engineering management.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)