Civil Geotechnical Materials Technician

Powertech Labs Inc, BC Hydro's subsidiary that specializes in energy research, consulting, testing, and systems integration, has been serving power utilities, oil and gas companies, automotive, and electrical utility equipment manufacturers since 1989. We operate as a separate, unregulated, for profit, commercial company. In addition to providing innovative R&D, consulting, and testing services to BC Hydro, Powertech provides most of its services to a large and diverse suite of clients across North America, and around the world. Powertech is located on an 11-acre campus in Surrey, British Columbia and has 200+ employees. Our reach and reputation are global, and we are recognized as a leader in technology, testing, and power systems software. Our location places us close to BC Hydro, 25 kilometers from the US border, and at a gateway between Asian and North American markets. Finally, we are located in one of the most desirable locations on the globe, with all the natural beauty of British Columbia on our doorstep. We call this home.

Powertech’s brand and reputation command a dominant position in the power industry. To better serve our clients, we group our services under six market-oriented sectors: Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Substations, Power Systems, Grid Modernization and Advanced Transportation. Powertech’s competitive advantage is enhanced through close collaboration between all sectors.

The company's staff consists of professional engineers, scientists, technologists, and technicians from a wide range of disciplines, as well as a wide range of professionals within the central Corporate functions. These highly skilled individuals have access to 21 well-equipped, specialized laboratories. Together, our resources allow us to offer a range of forward-looking technology services to help clients advance technology, solve complex problems, and maximize asset performance.

We are a customer-focused organization here to ensure our customers have high confidence in our services. To this end, we attract and hire the best resources, are highly responsive and constantly strive to improve the quality and value of our services.
- Performs the set up of and oversees the testing and examination of specific items within the materials discipline by investigating, recording measurements, operating specialized test instruments, determining parameters, locating failure points, troubleshooting, identifying and reporting causes of test equipment malfunctions and preparing related reports.
- Inspects various projects and products to ensure conformity to established standards, specifications and procedures; advises clients of approved procedures and applies standards or modifications of approved test methods and procedures; recommends corrective measures or advises project /laboratory leader of unusual problems.
- Advises, demonstrates and trains technical staff on specific techniques regarding meeting specifications and standards.
- Discusses and provides cost and time required for testing to customers.
- Drafts technical reports of results including supporting data and recommendations which may include preparing schematic and working drawings.
- Performs duties of a minor nature related to the above duties that do not affect the rating of the job. This includes the performance of duties across disciplines in a job of the same or lower job group.

Completion of a Certificate of Technology from an Institute of Technology in either a Materials, Mechanical or Civil discipline and two (2) years of experience working in a lab setting up and performing tests on materials and components with preference given to the discipline relating to the position.

Additional information:
This opportunity is with the Civil Technologies team. Diploma in Civil Engineering Technology and/or strong experience in geotechnical and concrete testing will be an asset.
- Geotechnical tests including: compaction testing, grain size analysis, Atterberg limit, permeability testing, soil electric resistivity testing
- Concrete tests including: strength evaluation, air content evaluation, slump testing

In addition, the successful applicant is expected to:

- Conduct lab testing (i.e. sieve analysis, compaction testing, permeability testing) of soils material by performing the set up of and oversees the testing and examination of specific items

within the civil materials discipline by investigating, recording measurements, operating specialized test instruments, determining parameters, locating failure points, troubleshooting,

identifying and reporting causes of test equipment malfunctions and preparing related reports.
- Ensure relevant testing protocols and standards (ASTM, CSA, AASHTO) are adhered to for all laboratory activities; Inspects various projects and products to ensure conformity to established standards, specifications and procedures; advises clients of approved procedures and applies standards or modifications of approved