Job Details

Position Information

The Houston District of the Texas Department of Transportation is seeking a skilled and motivated professional to take on a critical role in ensuring the quality and performance of our roadways. As the District Hot Mix Asphalt Specialist, you will leverage your expertise in hot-mix asphalt inspection and testing to review plans, assist in selecting asphalt materials for roadway projects, and conduct field evaluations of asphalt placement and testing. In addition, you'll play a key role in mentoring and training district inspectors and staff, helping to elevate standards and deliver durable, high-quality pavements across the region. If you're passionate about asphalt technology and want to make a lasting impact on Texas transportation, we want to hear from you!

Benefits and Perks

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package

To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Position Description

Oversees inspection of construction methods and workmanship to ensure contractors build roadways, bridges, traffic signals, airports and related structures in accordance with plans and specifications; acts as a consultant regarding work progress and problem resolution. OR Oversees statewide oversight activities for construction projects; acts as a consultant regarding work progress and problem resolution and/or provides statewide technical assistance and training in support of implementation, oversight and review of Site Manager activities. Trains others. May lead the work of professional and technical employees. Responsible to a licensed professional engineer who has full authority for final approval of all engineering-related work. Work requires contact with other governmental agencies and private entities to include contractors. May perform material tests/manufacturing process inspections at fabrication sites. Employees at this level are virtually self-supervising and assume direct accountability for the work product.

Essential Duties:

• Represents the Department in dealings with producers and suppliers.
• Analyzes procedures to identify deficiencies and recommends improvements to management.
• Conducts project reviews and coordinates inspections with various inspectors and other district/division project managers.
• Handles problem calls from producers, suppliers, inspectors and construction project field personnel.
• Monitors project phasing and traffic control plans and ensures adherence to approved safety standards.
• Prepares and reviews correspondence.
• Reviews construction records, inspection reports and records audits to ensure contractors build roadways, bridges and related structures in accordance with plans and specifications.
• Mentors and develops technical employees in test and inspection procedures and material specifications.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School Grad or Equivalent in general high school studies.

Experience: 4 years of experience in construction inspection or transportation engineering experience. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related college education or relevant technical training may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis . Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver's license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Preferred Qualifications:

Required Level 1B HMA Roadway Specialist

Preferred Level 1A HMA Plant Specialist

Preferred Binder 101 PG/AC Specialist

Competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Methods for reviewing plans and specifications for compliance with requirements
  • Applicable inspection methods, procedures and techniques
  • Applicable testing methods, processes and procedures
  • Basic traffic management and control procedures
• Considerable knowledge of:
  • Persuasion and negotiation of critical issues
• Expert skill in:
  • Overseeing and coordinating projects and program activities
• Proficient skill in:
  • Performing calculations to include material and labor estimates, expenses, technical survey data and engineering calculations
  • Analyzing and organizing business and technical data
  • Training in a classroom, office, or field environment
  • Using computers, applicable programs, applications, and systems

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs. at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Balancing - walking, standing, crouching on various surfaces without falling
• Crouching - bending body downward and forward by bending leg(s) and spine
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken words
• Visual Acuity - operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment
• Conditions of Employment:

Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

• This job has been identified as physically demanding and will require a pre-employment physical.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions. This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.
  • Please note that the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation - 49 CFR Part 40, at 40.151(e) - does not authorize "medical marijuana" under a state law to be a valid medical explanation for a positive drug test result for an employee in this position.
• Candidate will be required to frequently work nights to review HMA paving project operation. Nighttime work hours could vary but would generally include the hours of 8 PM to 5 AM. Frequency of nighttime work would be higher during spring and summer months and dependent on the number of active paving projects.