Engineering Field Technician

Company Profile

Miller Pacific provides services in the geosciences by drawing on our professional expertise in Geology, Civil and Geotechnical Engineering. As an employee-owned firm founded in 1989, we focus on providing a variety of public and private clients with services that include geologic hazard evaluations, geotechnical exploration and testing, instrumentation and monitoring, geo-civil design of retaining structures and landslide repairs, construction monitoring and materials testing. We are based in the northern San Francisco Bay Area and operate with a technical staff of about 25 Engineers, Geologists and Technicians. We strive to provide quality services to our clients and grow our business, while also focusing on facilitating a healthy work-life balance for our staff and supporting them in their personal and professional development. We are seeking exceptional, experienced Engineers to collaborate in achieving these goals.      

Job Description

As a Geotechnical Field Technician you will work under the supervision of Project Managers to support a wide variety of projects throughout the Bay Area. Geotechnical Technicians may be based in our Novato or Petaluma offices and perform laboratory testing, geotechnical construction observation, and related geotechnical field testing. With increasing experience and/or Civil Engineering or Geology education and qualifications, eventual transition to a Staff Engineer or Staff Geologist role may be possible for the right candidate(s).

• Perform laboratory testing including compaction curves, sieve analyses, unconfined compression, Atterberg Limits, moisture-density, moisture content, Expansion Index, among others, in accordance with ASTM standards.
• Perform construction site inspection, observation and testing for items including site grading and excavation, soil compaction, asphalt paving, shallow foundations, drilled foundation pier and tiebacks/soil nails, helical piles, driven piles, tieback/soil nail load-testing, shotcrete and concrete observation and material testing, retaining wall and drainage construction, and other geotechnical items as assigned.
• Prepare detailed Daily Field Reports and supporting documentation for site visits.
• Assist in maintaining field and laboratory equipment.
• May occasionally supervise exploratory drilling operations including collection of necessary samples, preparation of field boring logs, and inspection coordination.

Key Skills and Abilities

• Professional, friendly demeanor and ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person and via written documents including email and daily field reports.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and effective time-management, and is able to complete assigned tasks in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.
• Strong work ethic, sense of ownership and pride, and attention to details;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and other common software;
• Organized work approach with the ability to adapt and adjust priorities based on client needs and project schedules;
• Willing to pursue certifications for nuclear gauge testing and ACI concrete inspection upon hire;
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly;
• Ability to endure occasional physically demanding walking/hiking around active construction sites, undeveloped, rugged, or uneven terrain;
• Willing to occasionally work nights, weekends, or overtime as required by specific project schedules;
• Ability to maintain accurate and timely mileage, site time, and timesheet records, submitted weekly in accordance with MPEG standards and California prevailing wage regulations.
• Ability to adhere to all Company, OSHA, and jobsite policies regarding personnel health and safety.

Minimum Qualifications

• Holds a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. At minimum, the ability to perform basic arithmetic and trigonometry, read and interpret technical documents, write and communicate clearly and concisely in English, and operate basic computer/technical hardware and software (word processing, spreadsheet, internet browser) are required.
• Maintains valid driver’s license and insurable driving record. Is able to provide adequate, registered/insured, and suitably reliable vehicle for light construction site and other field-related duties, including occasional off-road driving and transportation of equipment and materials up to 300 pounds throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geology, or related field.
• Familiarity with USCS soil classifications, common ASTM geotechnical soil testing standards, and common geotechnical concepts and practices for grading/compaction, foundation design and construction, and retaining wall design and construction.
• Certified for Nuclear Density Gauge use and/or ACI concrete inspection.
• Other relevant experience in civil/geotechnical engineering, heavy civil construction, construction management, or related field.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary (negotiable within specified range, depending on experience);
• Annual bonus opportunities;
• 3% 401(K) contribution (no matching required)
• 5% contribution to Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP);
• Generous holiday and paid time off plan – 8 paid holidays and accrued paid time off starting at 14-days and increasing to 20-days with years of service;
• Health, dental, life and vision insurance;
• Short- and long-term disability insurance;
• Vehicle mileage and site use reimbursement;
• Tool, equipment, and work boot reimbursement;
• Company-sponsored training and certifications.