Special Inspector

Job Title: Special Inspector / Lead Construction Materials Technician Job Description
This traveling Special Inspector / Lead Construction Materials Technician role focuses on performing routine to complex inspection and testing of construction materials on large commercial and industrial projects, including major data centers, across a broad geographic area. The position leads field activities, ensures materials and workmanship conform to project plans and specifications, and works closely with diverse project teams. The role is ideal for someone dependable, flexible, self-motivated, and eager to gain extensive experience on long-term, large-scale construction projects.
Responsibilities
- Perform routine to complex field inspection and testing of construction materials, including concrete, asphalt, soils, and masonry, to verify conformance with construction plans, specifications, and applicable codes.
- Serve as a lead Construction Materials Technician on large commercial, industrial, and data center projects, providing guidance and support to field teams as needed.
- Conduct concrete inspection and testing activities, including field sampling, slump tests, air content tests, temperature measurements, and preparation of test cylinders in accordance with ACI standards.
- Perform soil testing and inspection, including density testing and related procedures, ensuring proper compaction and compliance with project requirements.
- Use nuclear gauge equipment safely and accurately to perform field density and moisture testing, following all radiation safety protocols and procedures.
- Carry out inspection and testing related to reinforced concrete, structural masonry, pre-stressed concrete, and soils in line with ICC Special Inspector requirements and project specifications.
- Document inspection and test results clearly and accurately, preparing reports and records that support quality control and quality assurance efforts on the project.
- Communicate effectively with engineers, project managers, owners representatives, general contractors, and subcontractors to discuss test results, inspection findings, and any non-conforming work.
- Participate in training on existing data center projects in multiple locations and apply learned procedures and standards when transitioning to new project sites.
- Travel to and work on project sites across the country for extended periods, maintaining reliability and flexibility in scheduling and project assignments.
- Adapt to changing project needs, schedules, and priorities while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and professionalism in the field.
- Work overtime as needed to meet project timelines and testing requirements, supporting continuous construction activities on fast-paced projects.
- Support a collaborative team environment by demonstrating strong initiative, self-motivation, and a willingness to take ownership of field responsibilities.
- Follow all site safety rules, radiation safety requirements, and company procedures while working on active construction sites in varying weather conditions.
Essential Skills
- Proven experience performing field inspection and testing of construction materials on commercial or industrial construction projects.
- Hands-on experience with concrete inspection and testing, including field sampling and testing in accordance with ACI standards.
- Experience with soil testing and inspection, including use of nuclear gauge equipment for density and moisture testing.
- Ability to interpret construction plans and specifications to verify material and workmanship conformance.
- Strong initiative and self-motivation, with the ability to work independently and as a lead member of a field team.
- Dependability and flexibility to travel and remain on project sites for extended periods.
- Effective communication skills to interact comfortably with engineers, project managers, owners representatives, general contractors, and subcontractors.
- Comfort working full time in the field on active construction sites and in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and sun.
- Aci / ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician I certification or equivalent concrete field testing credential.
- ACI Concrete Strength I qualification.
- ICC Soils Special Inspector certification or equivalent experience in soils inspection.
- ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector certification.
- ICC Structural Masonry Special Inspector certification.
- ICC Pre-stressed Concrete Special Inspector qualification.
- Nuclear Gauge / Radiation Safety training or qualification for safe operation of nuclear gauge equipment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working on large commercial and industrial construction sites, particularly data center projects.
- Background in materials testing laboratories or field quality control on major construction projects.
- Ability to lead and mentor other technicians in field testing and inspection procedures.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tests, inspections, and reports in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to work overtime and travel extensively as project needs require.
- Comfort with long-term out-of-town assignments, with flexibility to coordinate periodic trips home when project schedules allow.
Work Environment
This role is based full time in the field on large construction sites across the country, with a primary focus on major data center and large commercial projects. The work environment is highly collaborative and involves frequent interaction with engineers, project managers, owners representatives, general contractors, and subcontractors. The position requires extensive travel for the duration of each project, with long-term stays out of town and coordination of occasional long weekends at home when feasible. Work is performed outdoors and indoors on active construction sites, and the individual must be comfortable working in a wide range of weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and direct sun. The role typically involves overtime to support ongoing construction activities and testing schedules, and may include per diem while traveling on projects. Safety is a core focus, including adherence to radiation safety protocols when using nuclear gauge equipment and compliance with all site-specific safety requirements.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Minneapolis, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $90000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, PTO, Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), and paid holidays
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 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.

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sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
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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
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It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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