County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This series specification describes three levels of Materials Testing Technician. Incumbents receive close supervision at the lower level and work under general direction at the upper levels performing field and laboratory testing of construction materials; reading and interpreting plans and specifications relating to quality control and guarantees from developers and contractors; sampling water and inspecting the destruction of wells; acting in support of inspectors in the other options of Public Works and Facilities Inspection; and performing other related duties as required.

Materials Testing Technician III's are considered the advanced journey level and may act as lead technicians. This level is distinguished from the lower levels in the class series in that incumbents have acquired the additional knowledge and experience to perform water sampling and inspecting the destruction of wells. Also, incumbents may be assigned to act in support of Public Works Inspectors.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Takes field samples of construction materials; conducts required test such as:

a. Sample Preparation
b. Sieve Analysis – coarse and fine
c. Crushed Particles
d. Specific Gravity
e. Los Angeles Rattler
f. Loose Weight of Aggregate and Unit Aggregate
g. Relative Compaction (lab density)
h. Sand Equivalent
i. Specific Gravity – Saturating Surface Dry
j. Over Dried Moisture
k. Cleanliness Value
l. Utilizing Nuclear Gauges
m. Portland Cement Concrete Unit Strength
n. Compressive Strength of Concrete Cylinders
o. Kelly Ball
p. Sampling Fresh Concrete
q. Fabrication of Concrete Cylinders
r. Slump Test
s. Air Content of Mixed Concrete by Volumetric Method
t. Temperature of Freshly Mixed Concrete
u. Air Content by the Pressure Method
v. Film Stripping of Bituminous Mixture
w. Approximate Bituminous Ratio

2. Compares the finished product against predetermined specifications for possible usage.

3. Performs a variety of field and laboratory testing on construction materials such as paint, steel and concrete pipe.

4. Maintain laboratory files, records and supplies.

5. Assists in maintaining laboratory equipment for good working order and yearly calibrations.

6. Gather engineering information and data for projects and programs.

7. In addition to the duties listed above, incumbents also perform the more complex tests that include:
a. Plasticity Index
b. Field Density by Sand Volume
c. Durability Index
d. Resistance Value (“R” Value)
e. Swell Test
f. Moisture Vapor Susceptibility
g. Oil Content of Bituminous Mixture
h. Stabilometer Value for Asphalt
i. Unconfined Compressive Strength of Soils
j. Method of Prequalification Concrete Aggregate
k. Method of Testing Weighing and Measuring Devices
l. Evaluation of soil conditions and conducts soil surveys.
m. Prepares complete and comprehensive written reports involving analysis of materials.
n. Analyzes, prepares, and reports on materials tested and makes recommends on test results.

8. May act in support of inspectors in the other options of Public Works and facilities inspection in conducting inspections of existing flood control facilities, pavements and drainage of county maintained roads for conformance to the specifications and quality of work and functional adequacy; samples water and inspects wells during destruction.

9. May act in support of Public Works Inspectors in conducting inspections of underground facilities such as covered channels, reinforced concrete blocks and open levees; collects truck tags checking and verifying mix designs against job specifications and plans.

10. Acts as resident controller for concrete and hot asphalt plants (plant inspection).

11. May act in support of Public Works Inspectors performing liaison work with other public agencies, utilities, various cities and maintenance people relaying information and recommendations regarding inspections of projects and facilities to assigned inspectors or other related personnel.

12. May assume the duties of the Lab Supervisor in the absence of the incumbent.

13. Prepares billing on invoices for outside contract work by Materials Testing Laboratory; assists in gathering information for preparing bids for outside contracts; research records and reports gathering information for responses to inquiries.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of two years full time experience in the class of Materials Testing Technician II in the Alameda County service.

OR II

Possession of an Associate Arts Degree in Civil Engineering Technology or a closely related field, AND

The equivalent of three years full time experience in the testing of varied materials.

OR III

The equivalent of four years full time experience in the testing of varied materials.

License and Certification:

· Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

· Possession of a valid Grade I – Field Technician certificate from the American Concrete Institute.

· Possession of a valid Nuclear Gauge Certificate is desirable . (However, candidates are usually required to complete an approved training course after employment, in order to obtain the Nuclear Gauge Certificate as mandated by the licensing authority in conjunction with the State of California).

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

· Standards methods and equipment used in making physical tests of construction materials
· Laboratory safety procedures.
· State of California codes, rules and regulations relating to materials testing.
· Basic design and construction methods.
· Raw materials and their proper usage in construction.
· Engineering mathematics.
· Hazardous materials and safety procedures for handling different types of construction materials such as various types of concrete, fill materials, asphalt and concrete products.
· Construction field practices and equipment.
· Technical report writing.
· Plant inspection procedures.
· Surveying.
· Water sampling methods; Clean water Act; Fish and Game Code; City and County Litter Ordinances.
· Well inspection.

Ability to:

· Perform a variety of tests both in the field and laboratory.
· Examine and analyze materials test results.
· Follow written and oral instructions.
· Maintain effective working relationships.
· Analyze and interpret plans, specifications, codes and technical manuals.
· Prepare comprehensive written reports involving the analysis of materials tested.
· Identify problems with construction materials.
· Work independently in the lab and field.
· Keep accurate records of testing data.
· Communicate orally.
· Train others.
· Support Public Works Inspectors in the inspection of construction projects or existing flood control facilities, pavements and drainage of county maintained roads.
· Conduct a variety of water sampling tests and rainfall data collection.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

PR:lfm/3/12/82
TAT:pb/Revised 1/25/89
TAT:pb/Revised 7/31/90
BS:jc/Revised 3/27/91
DF:lm/Revised 2/29/96
DF:jc/Revised 3/17/97
DF:cla/Revised 4/30/97
TT:jc
6/4/99
Old Document: Cadssec: 0333h
New Document: Jobspecs/ 2181-2182-2183
CSC Date: 1/19/00

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.