Lab Technician/Plant Inspector (General Construction Inspector II)

Position Summary

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) District 4 Materials Section provides materials control and quality assurance services for the District 4 construction projects to ensure that all materials and construction activities incorporated into the construction are in conformance with standard specifications, engineering directives, project special provisions, quality system manual, quality control plan and construction plans. These services include providing project materials control guide, reviewing quality control plans and materials related submittals; sampling, testing, and inspection at the District lab and at HMA/Concrete plants; quality assurance and monitoring construction project materials control progress; maintaining the District Lab.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the District Materials Engineer by directing the activities of the laboratory personnel.

• Perform laboratory testing which includes HMA mix verification including source and consensus properties of the constituent materials which requires the use of the Gyratory Compactor, LA Abrasion test apparatus, ignition oven, warming oven, and specific gravity bench.

• Perform plant inspections (HMA and cement concrete) to ensure compliance with our specifications. Samples and tests aggregates in concrete plants to ensure that the aggregate gradation and fineness modulus are within our specification range. Samples and tests Hot Mix Asphalt to determine the asphalt content, gradation and specific gravity of the mix using various pieces of laboratory equipment from the ignition oven to sieves to specific gravity bench. Post the results on the appropriate plant form.

• Determine Specific Gravity of HMA cores and HMA loose mix utilizing the specific gravity bench and following AASHTO specifications.

• Determine Specific Gravity of aggregates, per AASHTO Specifications, using various pieces of laboratory equipment and documenting the results on standard report forms.

• Perform soils and aggregate gradations, per AASHTO Specifications, using various pieces of laboratory equipment and documenting the results on standard report forms.

• Perform Proctor Soil testing, per AASHTO Specifications, utilizing our automated or manual proctor soil testing machine, charting the data points derived by testing on the computer to determine the maximum density and optimum moisture content of the soil and indicating those numbers on the appropriate test form.

• Perform Concrete cylinder strength test utilizing our compression testing machine while adhering to ASTM and AASHTO Specifications.

• Utilize the nuclear density gauge to determine in-place densities.

• Assist other District Departments by obtaining HMA cores.

• Provide instruction to new laboratory personnel by reinforcing the standards that must be followed and follow-up with assessing adherence to standards their annual performance (EPRS) evaluations.

• Set up, breakdown, and clean up the concrete practical test areas to assist with District’s concrete testing instruction and ACI Field Technician certification testing.

• Attend Pre-construction Conferences when the District Material Engineer is unavailable. Makes all in attendance aware on any issues or concerns that we have regarding the materials aspect of the particular project.

• Maintain an open dialog with field personnel regarding their test results.

• Maintain District logs by accurately reporting results.

• Perform routine checks of outstanding material needs status by cross referencing item expenditure on SAM with material documentation posted to the Materials Section internet-based collaborative platform.

• Perform interim reviews on documentation posted to SharePoint for compliance with the requirements on the RMS 360 and MassDOT specifications

• Keep laboratory equipment and facility clean and operational.

• Prepare and review Materials RMS 360 forms for Construction, Maintenance, and Bridge Contracts

• Assist District Quality Engineer as directed.

• Review subordinate employee performance by implementation of the Employee Performance Review System (EPRS).

• Adapt to procedural changes, expand skill sets, and maintain certifications by making a reasonable effort to successfully master new information provided via on-site training, in-house training classes, on-line training classes, and professional certification and re-certification courses.

• Perform work as assigned by DME and DQE.

Working Conditions

General Construction Inspectors may work in an office or outside in all types of weather and under exposure to such hazardous conditions as found on construction sites, HMA plant, Concrete plant, or laboratory. They may require travel for job related purposes. Work assignment outside of regular hours, when scheduled, is expected. General Construction Inspectors collect and process samples per AASHTO requirements and industry standards. Materials samples may need to be transported, carted and / or lifted during the process. The sample process may involve lifting weights of 50 pounds.

Unit E Sign-On Bonus

This position is eligible for a five-thousand dollar ($5,000) signing bonus (“Signing Bonus”) if you are newly hired at MassDOT. Current MassDOT employees are not eligible for the Signing Bonus. The Signing Bonus will be paid in two parts: 1) $3,000 (less applicable taxes) included in the employee's first paycheck. 2) $2,000 (less applicable taxes) after the successful completion of the employee’s probationary period.

About MassDOT

The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT’s divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.

Qualifications

Minimum Entrance Requirements

This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply.

All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.

Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.

Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical experience in the construction, inspection and/or alteration of construction projects such as highways, buildings, bridges, tunnels, sewers, waterways, dams and parks, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions

I. An Associate's degree with a major in civil engineering, civil engineering technology or construction technology may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*

II. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, architecture or structural, architectural or sanitary engineering may be substituted for a maximum of four years of the required experience.

NOTE: No substitutions will be allowed for the remaining year of experience.

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

• For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected].

• For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857‐368‐4722.

• For a disability‐related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call the ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857‐274‐1935.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Genl Construction Inspector II

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Arlington-519 Appleton Street

Job : Engineering

Agency : Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Jan 16, 2026, 10:11:38 AM

Number of Openings : 2

Salary : 84,427.44 - 118,440.71 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Derrick Mann - 8573688541

Bargaining Unit : DOT

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No