Senior Geotechnical Field Technician (Engineering Technician III)

About the role

The Illinois Department of Transportation is hiring a Senior Geotechnical Field Technician (Engineering Technician III) in Springfield, IL, a full-time salaried union position. The role conducts field testing and monitors construction of embankments, subgrades, aggregate courses and in-place reclamation and recycling, and performs nuclear density testing on hot-mix asphalt. It is a hybrid schedule, 1 to 5 days per week in the office, with an anticipated starting salary of $4,159 per month.

Key responsibilities

• Perform density testing on a variety of materials, evaluate subgrade stability and evaluate borrow materials
• Monitor embankment, subgrade, aggregate course, backfill and recycling/reclamation construction, and identify non-compliant conditions
• Train and support district and local agency construction staff on density testing and geotechnical construction testing and inspection procedures
• Assist the Nuclear Density Supervisor with the district nuclear gauge inventory and the training and certification of nuclear gauge operators
• Review field test results and enter data into the department's materials tracking software
• Perform duties in compliance with departmental safety rules and other duties as assigned

Required profile

• Two years of college in civil engineering technology, pre-engineering or a related technical/science curriculum plus 30 months of engineering experience, or six years of engineering experience
• Completed IDOT S-34 Radiation Safety and Density by the Nuclear Method training (or equivalent) and current IDOT QC/QA certification for HMA density (or HMA Level I Technician with the density component)
• Preferred: strong communication skills
• Conditions of employment: complete IDOT S-33 Geotechnical Field Testing and Inspection within 12 months, valid driver's license, district-wide and overnight travel, field work in all weather on traffic-open roadways, lifting 50 lbs, overtime and occasional night work, and on-call availability as secondary nuclear gauge emergency contact
• Pre-employment physical, drug and alcohol screening, and background check; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

What we offer

• Flexible work schedules, including hybrid scheduling
• Health, life, vision and dental insurance, pension plan, maternity/paternity leave and deferred compensation programs
• 12 paid sick days, 10 paid vacation days in the first year and 3 paid personal days
• Tuition reimbursement and employee assistance program