<p>THE POSITION</p> <p>If you are looking for more than just a job and are ready to pursue a rewarding career, consider the thrilling opportunity in the technical field of construction materials testing. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is actively seeking candidates for the position of Materials Technician 1 within its Laboratory Testing Section. This role not only allows you to participate in significant work that plays a vital role in infrastructure development but also opens doors for professional growth and advancement within the industry. If you possess a passion for quality assurance and a strong interest in the scientific principles governing construction materials, this position could be an ideal match for your aspirations. Do not let this opportunity pass you by-apply today for a career that promises both challenges and a sense of fulfillment!</p> <p>DESCRIPTION OF WORK</p> <p>In this position, you will be tasked with the preparation of samples and the execution of tests, ensuring full compliance with the protocols established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standards, ASTM International, and the Pennsylvania Test Methods (PTMs). Your responsibilities will encompass the meticulous documentation of test results for a variety of materials, including asphalt concrete pavement core samples, asphalt mixture samples, liquid asphalt binder samples, and emulsified asphalt samples, with a strong emphasis on the accuracy of all reported findings. Additionally, you will be responsible for confirming that all testing equipment is correctly calibrated prior to use, as well as upholding a high standard of cleanliness within the laboratory environment. This will involve the regular cleaning of testing apparatus, laboratory workspaces, and storage areas on a daily basis to ensure a safe and efficient working atmosphere.</p> <p>Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.</p> <p>Work Schedule and Additional Information:</p> <ul> <li>Full-time employment. </li><li>Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch. </li><li>Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position. </li><li>Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. </li><li>You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. </li></ul> <p>REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY</p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>One year of experience as a Technical Assistant (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or </li><li>One year of experience in the testing of materials used in highway, bridge, building, hydraulic or similar construction projects and graduation from high school; or </li><li>An Associate's Degree in a civil engineering technology or closely related field; or </li><li>Any equivalent combination of experience and training. </li><li>Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree. </li></ul> <p>Other Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency. </li><li>You must be able to perform essential job functions. </li></ul> <p>Commonwealth employees who wish to use their seniority rights must apply to the internal posting for their seniority rights to be considered.</p> <p>How to Apply:</p> <ul> <li>Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). </li><li>If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. </li><li>Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. </li><li>Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. </li></ul> <p>Veterans:</p> <ul> <li>Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans. </li></ul> <p>Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):</p> <ul> <li>711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). </li></ul> <p>If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.</p> <p>The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.</p> <p>EXAMINATION INFORMATION</p> <ul> <li> <p>Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).</p> </li><li> <p>Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.</p> </li><li> <p>Your score is valid for this specific posting only.</p> </li><li> <p>You must provide complete and accurate information or:</p> </li><li> <p>your score may be lower than deserved.</p> </li><li> <p>you may be disqualified.</p> </li><li> <p>You may only apply/test once for this posting.</p> </li><li> <p>Your results will be provided via email.</p> </li></ul> <p>Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!</p> <p>See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.</p> <p>Health & Wellness</p> <p>We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*</p> <p>Compensation & Financial Planning</p> <p>We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.</p> <p>Work/Life Balance</p> <p>We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*</p> <p>Values and Culture</p> <p>We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.</p> <p>Employee Perks</p> <p>Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.</p> <p>For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.</p> <ul> <li>Eligibility rules apply. </li></ul> <p>01</p> <p>Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Technical Assistant for at least one or more years full-time?</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li><li>No </li></ul> <p>02</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>03</p> <p>How many years of full-time experience do you possess in the testing of materials used in highway, bridge, building, hydraulic, or similar construction projects?</p> <ul> <li>1 or more years </li><li>Less than 1 year </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>04</p> <p>If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <p>05</p> <p>How much college level coursework have you completed in civil engineering technology or a closely related engineering field? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.</p> <ul> <li>A conferred associate's degree or higher level degree </li><li>Within 3 months of conferring an associate's degree or higher level degree </li><li>60 or more credits </li><li>30 but less than 60 credits </li><li>Less than 30 credits </li><li>None </li></ul> <p>06</p> <p>You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.</p> <p>All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.</p> <p>Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.</p> <p>If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.</p> <p>If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.</p> <ul> <li>Yes </li></ul> <p>07</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - PREPARES AND TESTS SAMPLES</p> <p>Prepares and tests material samples such as aggregates, anti-skid materials, asphalt mixtures, emulsified asphalts, cements, and other miscellaneous materials used for highway construction or maintenance projects.</p> <p>Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>A. I have experience preparing and testing material samples such as aggregates, anti-skid materials, asphalt mixtures, emulsified asphalts, cements, or other miscellaneous materials used for highway construction or maintenance projects. This work was done INDEPENDENTLY. </li><li>B. I have experience ASSISTING in preparing and testing material samples such as aggregates, anti-skid materials, asphalt mixtures, emulsified asphalts, cements, or other miscellaneous materials used for highway construction or maintenance projects. </li><li>C. I have experience either independently or assisting with performing lab testing on products or materials NOT used for highway construction or maintenance. </li><li>D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to construction technology, engineering technology, or soils technology. </li><li>E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>08</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. </li><li>The type(s) of materials or product samples you prepared and/or tested. </li><li>Your level of responsibility. </li></ul> <p>09</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>10</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - READS AND INTERPRETS</p> <p>Reads and interprets established standards, test methods, or procedures including AASHTO Standards, ASTM Standards or Pennsylvania Test Methods (PTMs), established within the Laboratory Testing Section.</p> <p>Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>A. I have experience reading and interpreting established standards, test methods, or procedures including AASHTO Standards, ASTM Standards, or Pennsylvania Test Methods (PTMs). </li><li>B. I have experience reading and interpreting established standards, test methods, or procedures NOT RELATED to AASHTO Standards, ASTM Standards, or Pennsylvania Test Methods (PTMs). </li><li>C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to reading comprehension or college reading strategies. </li><li>D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>11</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. </li><li>The type(s) of standards, test methods or procedures you read and interpreted. </li></ul> <p>12</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>13</p> <p>WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - INSPECTIONS</p> <p>Performs regular inspections on testing equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order; standardizes or checks testing equipment to ensure compliance with national accreditation standards; and updates equipment maintenance logs to record the equipment standardizations and checks.</p> <p>Levels of Performance</p> <p>Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.</p> <ul> <li>A. I have experience performing regular inspections on HIGHWAY RELATED MATERIALS LABORATORY testing equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order; I standardize or check HIGHWAY RELATED MATERIALS LABORATORY testing equipment to ensure compliance with national accreditation standards; and I update HIGHWAY RELATED MATERIALS LABORATORY equipment maintenance logs to record the equipment standardizations and checks. </li><li>B. I have experience performing regular inspections on testing equipment to ensure that it is in proper working order; I standardize or check testing equipment to ensure compliance with national accreditation standards; and I update equipment maintenance logs to record the equipment standardizations and checks. This work was NOT done on highway related materials laboratory testing equipment or with highway logs. </li><li>C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to mechanical engineering. </li><li>D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. </li></ul> <p>14</p> <p>In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.</p> <ul> <li>The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. </li><li>The type(s) of equipment that you performed inspections on. </li><li>Your experience updating equipment maintenance logs. </li></ul> <p>15</p> <p>If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.</p> <ul> <li>College/University </li><li>Course Title </li><li>Credits/Clock Hours </li></ul> <p>Required Question</p> <p>Employer Commonwealth of Pennsylvania</p> <p>Address 613 North Street</p> <p>Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120</p> <p>Website http://www.employment.pa.gov</p>