Asphalt laboratory technician

Description

Asphalt laboratory technicians perform asphalt and related raw materials inspections and laboratory testing, ensuring a high quality of the products. They also participate in coming up with resolutions to technical issues on construction sites.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to asphalt laboratory technician:

road surface laboratory technician
asphalt production technician
road surface technician
technical supervisor, asphalt production
bitumen technician
bitumen production technician
aggregates and asphalt laboratory technician
aggregates and bitumen laboratory technician
site technician, asphalt
site technician
asphalt technician
asphalt production technical supervisor
materials technician
laboratory technician, asphalt

Minimum qualifications

An associate’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field is generally required to work as an asphalt laboratory technician.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Asphalt laboratory technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Asphalt laboratory technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to asphalt laboratory technician.

road maintenance technician
bridge inspector
construction safety manager
construction quality manager
building inspector

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of asphalt laboratory technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of asphalt laboratory technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

installation engineer
construction general contractor
transport engineer
assayer
construction engineer

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of asphalt laboratory technician.

  • Asphalt mixes: The properties, advantages and disadvantages of asphalt mixes such as Marshall and Superpave mixes and the way they are best applied.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of asphalt laboratory technician.

  • Inspect construction supplies: Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
  • Supervise site maintenance: Supervise the clean-up and maintenance of a specific site in order to ensure it is fit for purpose.
  • Run laboratory simulations: Run simulations on prototypes, systems or newly developed chemical products using laboratory equipment.
  • Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used safely and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
  • Supervise laboratory operations: Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.
  • Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
  • Inspect asphalt: Inspect the placement of asphalt concrete ensuring that the specifications are met and no flows are present.
  • Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
  • Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
  • Test concrete: Test concrete hardness so that it is according to specifications and ready to be removed from moulds.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asphalt laboratory technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Civil engineering: The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
  • Construction methods: The various techniques and methods for erecting buildings and other constructions.
  • Construction industry: The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of asphalt laboratory technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Follow health and safety procedures in construction: Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
  • Conduct soil sample tests: Analyse and test soil samples; determine gas chromatography and gather relevant isotope and carbon information; determine viscosity.
  • Set up temporary construction site infrastructure: Set up a variety of temporary infrastructure used on building sites. Put up fences and signs. Set up any construction trailers and make sure that these are connected to electricity lines and water supply. Establish supplies stores and garbage disposal in a sensible manner.

ISCO group and title

3116 – Chemical engineering technicians


References
  1. Asphalt laboratory technician – ESCO
  2. Featured image: By Draceane – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated on February 3, 2023