Materials Lab Specialist

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting for an Inspection, Training and Accreditation Specialist. This position serves as a Materials Laboratory Specialist within the Materials Bureau's Inspection Operations Section. This position is responsible for statewide laboratory inspections and laboratory compliance oversite. This position is responsible for maintaining MDT's central laboratory federally mandated AASHTO-Resource (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and CCRL (Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory) accreditation. This includes managing the central laboratory QMS (quality management system). This position manages the statewide Independent Assurance Program. This position manages Materials e-learning/testing system. This position assists in delivery of the WAQTC (Western Alliance for Quality Transportation Construction) training and certification program. This includes providing WAQTC training courses, remotely and in person, and administering and proctoring written and performance evaluation of internal and external applicants. This position assists in developing testing methods, standards, procedures, and technologies in conjunction with AASHTO, WAQTC, and other regional and national authorities. The position also performs a variety of other duties as assigned. The Materials Laboratory Specialist reports to the Inspection Operations Supervisor.

For a full job description, please contact Morgan Stibi at mstibi@mt.gov.

Benefits of working for MDT and the State of Montana include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Potential hybrid remote work arrangement available
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation)
• Employees in this position receive overtime compensation or compensatory time for all time in a pay status over 40 hours in a workweek
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Benefits apply on the first day of employment
• Relocation assistance may be offered to the successful candidate at the time of offer

For information on the Montana Department of Transportation's mission, vision, and values, please visit our website: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/about.aspx#values

Required Education and Experience:

• The required knowledge and skills are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to Bachelor's Degree in highway construction related field, engineering, physical science, or computer science, or a related field.
• Graduate degrees will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• This position requires a minimum of 2 years of experience in materials testing or laboratory oversite.
• Certifications, licensure, or other credentials include: The successful candidate must possess all required WAQTC certifications within 6 months of hiring. The successful candidate must demonstrate proficiency in training through 80% positive feedback received as part of WAQTC program delivery within the first year.
• Alternative qualifications include: Any combination of additional related work experience and education equivalent to the minimum qualifications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• This position requires extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of materials inspection, sampling, testing, and analysis techniques, properties and characteristics of a variety of materials, new and established sampling and laboratory testing protocols and procedures, state, federal, AASHTO, FHWA, ASTM, and WAQTC testing standards, methods and techniques of highway construction.
• Extensive knowledge of various site-specific characteristics and their potential effects on construction projects (e.g., soils, temperature, weather conditions, gradations, segregation, stability, flows, additives, absorption rates, etc.), and safety practices and procedures.
• This position further requires skill in operating a variety of sampling and testing equipment (e.g., gyratory compaction device, nuclear gauges), operations of monitoring devices (e.g., gauges, hydrated lime feed, bin splits, specific gravity, segregation, etc.).
• Possess the ability to facilitate trainings that communicate technical information to varied audiences; developing and delivering technical training programs related to materials sampling and testing and laboratory protocols.
• Possess the ability to maintain and deploy e-learning curricula in support of the overall materials training program. Be able to effectively provide training both in-person and remotely to external candidates.

Required Application Materials:

• A resume detailing your qualifications and work history.
• Your online application and all required materials must be submitted before midnight on the closing date. Ensure all materials submitted are selected as "Relevant."

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR representative listed below.

Other Information:

• Driver's record will be verified. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release form which authorizes the Department to obtain the applicant's permanent driving records. Compliance with Mont. Admin. R. 2.6.201, "State Vehicle Use," and MDT Policy #6.03.001, "State Vehicle Use Policy" are conditions of employment.
• This position is being posted in accordance with the bargaining unit agreement. Non-bargaining unit employees or employees of another bargaining unit may apply. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit applicant, the non-bargaining unit applicants may be considered. However, bargaining unit applicants will have preference.
• The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.
• The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is committed to continuous improvement of our employee safety program and our safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Generally, sponsorship for work authorization is not available through the State of Montana. MDT is not enrolled in E-Verify and is unable to hire F-1 STEM OPT visa candidates.