Engineering Technician - Geotechnical Group at Terracon · Wheat…

Engineering Technician - Geotechnical Group

Location: Wheat Ridge, CO, United States

Provides technician-level field support for geotechnical investigations under the direction of a Project Manager or Professional Engineer. The position works alongside drilling crews and subcontractors to observe field activities; log soil and rock samples; collect and document samples; record subsurface and groundwater conditions; and maintain clear, accurate field records. Responsibilities include following and reinforcing Terracon safety practices, communicating field progress and changing conditions to Project Managers, coordinating routine field activities, and assisting with geotechnical monitoring or instrumentation when trained and assigned. Safety concerns, unexpected conditions, and matters requiring engineering judgment must be promptly elevated. Construction materials testing and special inspections are excluded.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements
Work is performed at drilling locations, undeveloped properties, active project sites, industrial facilities, and other outdoor environments with varying weather, terrain, and site conditions. The position requires travel, including up to 75% out-of-town work with overnight stays, as project needs require. It also requires safe operation of assigned vehicles and field equipment, use of required personal protective equipment, walking over uneven terrain, lifting and transporting samples or equipment, and working near drilling or excavation operations.

• Perform and support geotechnical field investigations, including drilling observation, test-pit observation, site reconnaissance, sampling, groundwater observations, and related field data collection.
• Work alongside drilling crews, excavation contractors, utility-locating personnel, surveyors, subcontractors, and project personnel to support safe and efficient field activities.
• Review exploration plans, work instructions, and available site information to understand the assigned scope, exploration locations, and documentation requirements.
• Describe and log soil and rock samples in the field within assigned training, established procedures, and project-specific direction.
• Collect, label, preserve, document, and transport geotechnical soil, rock, and groundwater samples.
• Prepare accurate and timely field logs, boring or test-pit records, photographs, sample records, daily reports, and other project documentation.
• Communicate field progress, observed conditions, schedule impacts, and project needs to the Project Manager or supervising engineer.
• Promptly report unexpected subsurface conditions, groundwater, refusal, access limitations, utility conflicts, environmental indicators, safety concerns, and other issues affecting the investigation.
• Follow and reinforce Terracon safety practices, complete required pre-task planning, use required personal protective equipment, and stop or elevate work when unsafe conditions are identified.
• Assist with geotechnical instrumentation, monitoring, data compilation, and supporting project documentation when trained and assigned.
• Maintain field equipment, verification or calibration records, vehicles, supplies, and work areas in clean and serviceable condition.
• May coordinate routine daily field activities and provide task-level guidance to lower-level technicians within established procedures and assigned authority.
• Perform routine field tasks independently when trained and authorized; refer engineering analysis, interpretations, recommendations, design decisions, and approvals to the Project Manager or supervising Professional Engineer.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of relevant geotechnical field, subsurface exploration, or related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable violation history.
• Working knowledge of geotechnical field practices, sample handling, field documentation, and applicable safety requirements.
• Ability to read project and exploration plans, recognize conditions requiring escalation, and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical project participants.
• Proficiency with laptops, tablets, field data-collection systems, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
• Applicable training for soil and rock identification, geotechnical sampling, drilling-site safety, instrumentation, groundwater monitoring, traffic control, railroad access, or other assigned activities.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
Work is performed at drilling locations, undeveloped properties, active project sites, industrial facilities, and other outdoor environments with varying weather, terrain, and site conditions. The position requires travel, including up to 75% out-of-town work with overnight stays, as project needs require. It also requires safe operation of assigned vehicles and field equipment, use of required personal protective equipment, walking over uneven terrain, lifting and transporting samples or equipment, and working near drilling or excavation operations.