Engineer Technician, Senior - Materials

Title: Engineer Technician, Senior - Materials

State Role Title: Engineering Technician III

Hiring Range: $54,578-$88,689

Pay Band: 4

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Dept of Transportation

Agency Website: www.vdot.virginia.gov/careers

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you? Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation, and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.


Our Materials Division is seeking an Engineer Technician, Senior, to join our Structures Section team. Who is the Structures Section? We manage the implementation of the Department’s QA program for structural steel and prestressed concrete fabrication for projects across Virginia. This includes weld inspection, concrete inspection, nondestructive testing, high strength bolting, steel coatings, and material sampling to name a few.

This candidate will be responsible for material documentation review and conformance verification, conducting inspection of materials and generating reports of findings, materials sampling, evaluating nondestructive testing reports and results, observation of testing, documentation management and retention, evaluating NDT technicians, welder qualification review, and database management among others. This candidate will also provide support for QA inspection staff as well as project personnel and requires the ability to coordinate and communicate with both internal and external parties. Travel, including overnight, to fabrication facilities across the US will be required based upon program needs.

The selected candidate will be responsible for performing the following duties:

Field Operations Inspection: Perform, inspect, and approve materials placement techniques, testing, and equipment at project site. Train or assist field staff on proper testing procedures and preparation of samples for materials testing. Compute and document test results, compare with plans and specifications, and advise of substandard performance results.

Laboratory Testing: Perform laboratory tests on materials samples collected from plants and project sites. Compute, analyze, and document test results. Compare with specifications and advise of substandard performance results.

Technical Assistance: Address questions, policies and procedures related to assigned program area. Provide support to field personnel. Provide guidance related to VDOT policy and standards.

Records Maintenance: Compile and maintain automated and written reports and project records for assigned program areas. Records are maintained in accordance with guidelines and policies.

Field Reviews and Inspections: Review or inspect field work being performed by VDOT staff or contractors. Determine compliance with policies, procedures and standards.

Equipment Maintenance: Maintain testing equipment inventory. Perform routine maintenance and repairs on testing equipment. Follow appropriate guidelines for equipment storage, use, and transportation.

Project Documentation: Document, enter and complete required data such as work orders, schedules or records. Provide technical assistance to field staff and contractors and provide training.

Time Management: Demonstrate knowledge of all project activities and deliverables. Manage time to ensure project work is completed efficiently and within timeframes established by supervisor. Inform supervisor in a timely manner regarding issues which may affect the scheduled completion of an assignment.

Communication: Communicate with VDOT staff as well as external staff (consultants, localities, etc.) to proactively resolve issues. Advise supervisor on critical developments and field observations.

Engineering Technology: Apply advance principles and practices of engineering technology to assigned program areas. Interpret policies and procedures and apply in daily work assignments.

Production Plants Inspection: Inspect materials production at plant. Perform statistical sampling and analysis in accordance with VDOT quality assurance program. Process data analysis and prepare reports for distribution. Review and approve mix designs based on current specifications and guidelines. Keep supervisor informed of plant performance and maintain updated quality assurance and quality control plans for plants.

Minimum Qualifications

Skill in the use of materials sampling and testing equipment.

Valid driver’s license.

Experience reflecting knowledge of highway construction, maintenance methods, materials and usage.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Ability to work in the area of low-level ionizing radiation.

Ability to work with and train others.

Experience reflecting knowledge of materials sampling and testing procedure.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Materials certifications vary by position. Ability to obtain combination of certifications that apply to specific materials position within 12 months of employment.

Additional Considerations

Current possession of required materials certifications.

A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, or related field desired.

Ability to interpret plans, drawings, manuals, test methods and specifications.

Knowledge of materials quality control and quality assurance practices.

Prior experience in materials testing, construction, maintenance or a related field. Experience working in teams with VDOT Construction, Contract or Producer personnel.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Contact Information

Name: Shiron Haskins

Email: shiron.haskins@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.