Field Project Technician (Entry Level Civil Engineering)-Billings

About the role

The Montana Department of Transportation is recruiting Field Project Technicians to serve as experienced technicians within the Billings District. They will coordinate and conduct various inspection, sampling, and testing procedures to ensure construction project features and materials meet specifications, department requirements, and contract agreements. They will also coordinate and conduct staking and surveying procedures and perform other duties as assigned. They provide guidance and technical assistance to less experienced technicians.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct inspection, sampling, testing, and surveying procedures to verify construction project features and materials conform to specifications, department requirements, and contract agreements.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to less experienced technicians performing routine inspections, sampling, testing, and surveying procedures.
• Coordinate and conduct staking and surveying procedures.
• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma, including coursework in algebra, geometry, or trigonometry.
• Aptitudes or experience in construction or related fields (e.g., laboratory testing, transportation design, engineering, etc.), including experience in inspection, sampling, testing, and/or surveying.
• Knowledge of contract administration, project inspection and testing procedures, including site features and materials; general construction engineering principles; sampling and laboratory testing procedures; State, AASHTO, FHWA, and ASTM standards and specifications; and maintenance and calibration of specialized tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of surveying and highway construction methods and operations; project implementation and documentation techniques; project design and construction criteria and standards; properties and characteristics of materials, components, and the impacts of site-specific circumstances; highway construction terminology; business English; and basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Physical demands involving repeated lifting of up to 80 pounds (and occasionally greater weights), carrying survey equipment over rough terrain, climbing and bending to retrieve samples, operating gas, diesel, and electrically powered equipment, extensive overnight travel, and working outdoors in all types of weather.

Qualifications

• For Civil Engineering Technician I and II: High school diploma, coursework in algebra, geometry, or trigonometry, and experience in construction or related fields, including inspection, sampling, testing, and/or surveying.
• For Civil Engineering Technician III: High school diploma, coursework in algebra, geometry, or trigonometry, four years of experience in highway construction or related fields, including at least two years in inspection, sampling, testing, and/or surveying.
• For Civil Engineering Technician Junior Coordinator: High school diploma, coursework in algebra, geometry, or trigonometry, five years of experience in highway construction or related fields, including at least three years in inspection, sampling, testing, and/or surveying, and one year of supervisory or team lead experience.

Benefits

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families.
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation).
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.

Skills

• Contract administration.
• Project inspection and testing procedures.
• Surveying and highway construction methods.
• Project design and construction criteria and standards.
• Properties and characteristics of materials and components.
• Highway construction terminology.
• Basic algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

Pay

Salary is determined based on education and experience.

Schedule

Extensive overnight travel throughout the Billings District in excess of 2,000 miles per month (often on short notice, weekends, and holidays).

Other Qualifications

• 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.

Other Information

• The Montana Department of Transportation is committed to continuous improvement of its employee safety program and safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.
• 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.
• 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 MFPE 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.
• Effective 5/26/2026, MDT is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.