Soil Technician

Job Title: Soil Technician

Job Description

The Soil Technician supports construction projects in the Seattle area by performing field and laboratory testing of soils, concrete, and asphalt. This role focuses on operating a nuclear density gauge to verify soil compaction, preparing and testing construction materials, and documenting findings in clear, detailed reports. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, applying knowledge of engineering, geology, or construction in a hands-on environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate a nuclear density gauge to perform soil compaction testing on active construction sites.
• Conduct soil testing and soil sampling in the field and prepare samples for analysis.
• Perform testing of concrete and asphalt samples to support construction materials quality control.
• Record, analyze, and interpret test results accurately to assess soil density and material performance.
• Prepare clear, concise, and thorough written reports documenting field observations, test procedures, and results.
• Follow established procedures and safety protocols when using a nuclear density gauge and other testing equipment.
• Travel daily to construction sites in the Seattle area to perform field work as assigned.
• Coordinate daily activities by meeting at the office in the morning, organizing equipment and vehicles, and returning at the end of the workday.
• Support geotechnical and environmental field investigations by collecting, labeling, and handling soil and material samples properly.
• Communicate effectively with project team members to ensure testing meets project specifications and schedules.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 1 year of geotechnical or environmental field experience.
• Background in engineering, construction, geology, or a related field.
• Ability to operate, or willingness to learn to operate, a nuclear density gauge for soil compaction testing.
• Strong understanding of soil testing, soil sampling, and soil density analysis.
• Experience with construction materials testing, including soils, concrete, and asphalt.
• Proficiency in writing clear, accurate, and detailed technical reports.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in field environments on active construction sites.
• Nuclear Density Gauge certification completed prior to starting in the role.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Education in engineering, geology, construction management, environmental science, or a closely related discipline.
• Prior experience with nuclear density gauges in geotechnical or construction settings.
• Familiarity with geotechnical and environmental field practices, including sampling and data collection.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized testing procedures.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with project teams and documenting field activities.
• Interest in developing a career in geotechnical, environmental, or construction materials testing.

Work Environment

The role is primarily field-based, supporting construction projects throughout the Seattle area. The workday typically begins at the office in Kirkland at 7:00 AM, where the team meets, prepares vehicles, and loads testing equipment before heading into the field. The day generally ends around 4:00 or 5:00 PM with the return of vehicles and equipment to the office. The Soil Technician works outdoors on active construction sites, performing hands-on testing of soils, concrete, and asphalt using a nuclear density gauge and other construction materials testing tools. The environment involves varied weather conditions, physical activity, and regular travel between the office and project locations. The organization offers a collaborative, small-firm setting that provides a broad range of environmental and geotechnical services, including geology, geophysics, groundwater, geotechnical engineering, and environmental assessments, creating opportunities for learning and professional growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kirkland, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kirkland,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.