Geotechnical and Materials Laboratory Manager

Position Summary:

The Lab Manager will manage day-to-day operations of a new geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory in Escondido, California. This position will report to and be supervised by Blackburn's Director of Geotechnical Services, and the Escondido Principal-in-Charge. This candidate shall have 3+ years of experience managing technicians, entering data, generating test result reports for soil, aggregates, concrete/hot mix asphalt, and running day-to-day operations of a materials testing lab and 5+ years of experience performing geotechnical laboratory tests in accordance with ASTM, AASHTO and Caltrans test methods. This candidate must have knowledge and understanding of material properties and specifications/tolerances. This position may require 25% travel to project sites or other testing laboratories.

Blackburn Company Overview:

Blackburn Consulting has an excellent reputation in Northern California and is excited to be expanding into Southern California. We are responsive to clients, but we take the time to get things right. We pride ourselves in our family-like work environment and culture. Employees strive for high quality and constant improvement. Most professional staff have been working at Blackburn for a long time. Everyone here has the opportunity to make a big impact!

Blackburn Consulting provides geotechnical, geo-environmental, construction, forensics and lab engineering services throughout California with offices in Auburn, Escondido, Sausalito, West Sacramento, and Fresno. We have an extensive geotechnical and materials testing lab in West Sacramento, CA. We focus mostly on public works, including flood control and transportation. Blackburn has been in business since 1998 and is employee-owned and operated.

Position Duties:

Complete laboratory test schedules within deadlines and appropriate testing methods

Work in coordination with the Construction Materials Testing Laboratory Manager and the Director of Geotechnical Services on overall laboratory management including maintenance, certification renewals, verifications/calibrations, space/sample management, and organization/cleaning

Meet with other managers regularly to ensure effective resource management

Communicate with Blackburn managers and field engineers/geologists to provide input on proper laboratory test selection, test interpretation, test results, and test schedules

Supervise laboratory technicians

Provide training to laboratory staff as needed

Enter laboratory test data into the lab information management system, generate test reports, circulate test results for review and provide final copies to the manager in charge of the project

Communicate and report failing test results to Project Managers immediately

Maintain cleanliness in the laboratory.

Essential Abilities:

Communication skills internally and externally

Multi-task between projects

Ability to deliver a high-quality deliverable in a timely manner

People management skills

Excellent organizational skills

Flexible schedule

Technical Qualifications:

At least five years of relevant experience

Valid driver's license and personal vehicle

Experience with standard computer operations (Windows based systems)

Certification by ACI, Caltrans, or NICET highly encouraged. ACI and Caltrans certifications are required within 6 months of hire date.

Physical Requirements:

Read, write, and speak English

Communicate clearly in person and over telephone

Visual acuity to perform job duties

Physical ability to bend, reach, stand, walk, sit, push and pull up to 75lbs of weight

Salary Range: $30-$45 per hour

Blackburn Consulting provides an Equal Employment Opportunity for all applicants and employees and does not discriminate on any basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, gender, origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military status, or marital status.