District 4 Lab Chief

State of Iowa • Atlantic - 50022 - Cass County, IA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Do you like having variety in your day-to-day activities? If you love being outside and have a safety-first mindset in all that you do, the Iowa DOT wants you to join our team! As a Materials Technician 4 Lab Chief, your day-to-day work will often include: Laboratory testing of hot mix asphalt, portland cement concrete and aggregate materials. Review project submittals for proper sampling and testing frequencies for HMA, PCC, Aggregate, Fabricated items, and approved products, etc. This includes evaluation of compliance with federal requirements. Verify mathematical accuracy of all quantities calculated “by hand”. Answer technical questions and resolve materials related problems. Working with and communicating with a wide variety of people, including contractor and producer personnel, local agency and consultant staff, and other Iowa DOT staff. The responsibilities of this role help contribute to our mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation. You will be an important part of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception alongside your teammates.

Requirements

• Possess and maintain a minimum of a Class C non-commercial Driver's License.
• Must possess (or be able to obtain) and maintain required certifications for sampling and testing materials and operation of specialized equipment as required by the DOT's Technical Training and Certification Program for Highway Materials and Construction - for this position: Aggregate Sampler & Aggregate Technician Level I & II, PCC Level I & II, HMA Level I & II, Soils and Nuclear Guage, and Profilometer.
• A pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
• A pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in random drug and alcohol testing programs.
• Five years of full-time work experience in the sampling and testing of materials, and/or inspection of highway construction and maintenance projects and/or bridge construction and maintenance projects.
• Three years of full-time work experience in the sampling and testing of materials, and/or inspection of highway construction and maintenance projects and/or bridge construction and maintenance projects, and a total of two years of education and/or full-time experience, where 30 semester hours or equivalent of college, university or technical school coursework with an emphasis in engineering, metallurgy, geology, or chemistry equals one year of full-time experience.
• Three years of full-time work experience in the sampling and testing of materials, and/or inspection of highway construction and maintenance projects and/or bridge construction and maintenance projects, and an Associate of Applied Science degree, a certificate, or equivalent in Civil Engineering Technology from an accredited community college.
• 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 in the sampling and testing of materials, and/or inspection of highway construction and maintenance projects and/or bridge construction and maintenance projects.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Laboratory testing of hot mix asphalt, portland cement concrete and aggregate materials.
• Review project submittals for proper sampling and testing frequencies for HMA, PCC, Aggregate, Fabricated items, and approved products, etc.
• Evaluation of compliance with federal requirements.
• Verify mathematical accuracy of all quantities calculated “by hand”.
• Answer technical questions and resolve materials related problems.
• Working with and communicating with a wide variety of people, including contractor and producer personnel, local agency and consultant staff, and other Iowa DOT staff.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment
• 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 a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level