MATERIALS SPECIALIST-GEOTECHNICAL - 55010205

Requisition No: 858845 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: MATERIALS SPECIALIST-GEOTECHNICAL - 55010205

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55010205 

Salary:  $51,557.71 - $66,721.74 

Posting Closing Date: 09/18/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

820 / STATE MATERIALS OFFICE

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CAREER SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON: Dino Jameson

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 352-955-2933

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: dino.jameson@dot.state.fl.us

ANTICIPATED HIRING SALARY: $2,332.93/biweekly / $60,656.13/annual

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

Materials Specialist - Geotechnical / Engineering And Operations / Bureau Of Materials And Research / State Materials Office / Geotechnical Materials.

This role involves conducting geotechnical field investigations and testing to support the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. The work includes soil borings and subsurface investigations, sample collection, geophysical surveys, field testing, data review and reporting, equipment maintenance and calibration, and technical support. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, durability, and cost-effectiveness of Florida’s transportation infrastructure based on foundation design and risk mitigation, quality assurance, research and innovation, interagency support, and data integrity.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

Bureau Of Materials And Research / State Materials Office, 5007 NE 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32609

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Performs geotechnical field operations duties involving conventional soil boring using standard penetration testing methods, subsurface investigations using the electronic cone penetrometer and other specialized geotechnical field testing as needed for the purpose of design and the detection of possible sinkholes. Obtains samples for laboratory testing. Performs subsurface drilling investigations, geophysical surveys, and other geotechnical field testing in support of District and customer requests.

Performs geotechnical field testing in support of research activities involving the Soils Field Operations Unit, both in-house and contracted through other agencies. Performs earthwork testing in the field and test pit including field plate load, nuclear density, speedy moisture tests, and sample collection in accordance with the applicable test methods such as Florida Sampling and Testing Methods, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and American Society for Testing and Materials. Reports result in the appropriate database. Ensures all testing equipment is calibrated and maintained.

Performs duties related to Test Pit Research, including placement of materials, achieving desired density by use of vibratory plate compactor, and moisture determination. Performs dynamic plate load testing by use of electro-hydraulic loading apparatus.

Reviews field data for accuracy. Assists in the preparation of test reports generated by the unit or other entities under contract with the Department.

Provides technical support to customers as requested. Provides support in time to meet the customers’ needs. Advises and lends technical support to the districts and other state agencies in areas related to geotechnical operations, investigations, processes, and instrumentation.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Concepts, terminology, principles and analytical techniques of geotechnical field testing used on roadway earthwork and subsurface investigations.
• Engineering design, construction, production and/or operations.

Skills in:

• Operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Ability to:

• Analyze and interpret engineering data.
• Solve problems relating to engineering.
• Apply engineering quantitative techniques.
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Communicate engineering information effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Move around construction sites and lift up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Use engineering tools, equipment and/or instruments.

Licensure/Registration/Certification Requirements:

• Must possess or obtain and maintain a Nuclear Radiation Safety certificate.
• Must have or obtain a commercial driver’s license (Class B) with appropriate endorsements within one year of the appointment date.

Other Job-Related Requirements:

• Travel is required as needed.
• This position must respond before, during, and after emergency situations.
• NOTE: The incumbent of this position is required to handle hazardous materials possessing the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, and toxicity as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations 40, Part 261. The incumbent must be trained in the handling of the aforementioned hazardous materials prior to commencing work or he/she must work only under the direct control of a supervisor who is trained in the handling of such materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience using engineering or manufacturing tools, equipment and/or instruments.
• Prior experience operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, and/or database applications.

This position requires a valid Class B driver license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Department’s Driver’s Record Requirements Policy. An unacceptable driving record is defined as any of the following:

1. three (3) or more moving violations in the past three (3) years that accumulate three (3) or more points per violation;
2. any two (2) convictions of reckless driving in the past three (3) years;
3. a suspension or revocation of the driver license for moving violations in the past three (3) years; and
4. a suspension or revocation for refusal to take a sobriety test, or any suspension or revocation for a DUI conviction, in the past four (4) years.

Your driving record will be reviewed and the status of your driver license confirmed.

In order to be eligible for hire into a position requiring a Commercial Driver License (CDL), applicants must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol (FMCSA) Clearinghouse, as required, for the Department to conduct a pre-employment query. Click here to register for the Clearinghouse.  A mandatory drug screening will be performed on the successful applicant.

Applicants hired for this position with a Class E license will be required to obtain a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) within 60 days of appointment, attend CDL training and successfully pass the CDL licensing test and obtain a CDL Class B license with air brakes within 10 months after appointment to the position. Once the CLP is obtained, candidates must register with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, as required, for the Department to conduct a query. Upon hire, this position also requires the applicant to have an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Department’s Driver’s Record Requirements Policy.  The costs of the initial CDL training and initial testing will be paid by the Department, subject to available funding. An employee will be given three chances to pass the license requirements. The employee will be responsible for paying for the initial CLP fee, as well as any additional training and re-test costs, and the CDL fee. If the employee voluntarily separates from the Department within two (2) years of obtaining their CDL, the employee will be responsible for paying the costs of the initial training and testing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.  If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.