Transportation Technician 3 (In-Training)

About the role

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a Transportation Technician 3 to support the delivery of highway construction projects through materials testing, construction inspection, and contract administration activities. This position plays a key role in verifying the quality of transportation infrastructure and supporting the successful delivery of projects that serve Washington's communities.

Responsibilities

• Perform industry-standard materials testing on asphalt, concrete, soil, aggregate, grout, and other construction materials to verify compliance with project requirements.
• Conduct laboratory and field tests, including asphalt content, maximum density, proctor density, sieve analysis, sand equivalent, moisture content, yield, slump, and air content testing.
• Operate specialized testing equipment, including a nuclear densometer, to evaluate material density and quality.
• Inspect asphalt and concrete plant operations by observing production processes, verifying equipment and procedures, performing materials testing, and completing required documentation.
• Collect material samples, record test data, and interpret test results to support construction quality verification activities.
• Verify sampling and testing procedures using the WSDOT Construction Manual and established industry standards.
• Assist with construction inspection activities by monitoring contractor work, documenting project activities, tracking material quantities, and reporting compliance concerns.
• Safely operate agency vehicles, transport testing equipment across varied terrain and weather conditions, and perform other duties in support of project delivery.

Qualifications

• Engineering Knowledge & Technical Skills: Ability to apply complex engineering and mathematical principles to plan, execute, and evaluate technical tasks.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Ability to manage data collection and analysis processes for multiple projects, and the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Collaboration & Adaptability: Ability to manage priorities across multiple tasks or projects, collaborate with others, and implement effective solutions to changing conditions.

Benefits

In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.