Engineers, chemists, and geologists work together to determine the type of surfacing materials needed on highway construction projects.  Assignments include preparation of material specifications, conducting exploratory subsurface geotechnical investigations, and soil and condition surveys, ensuring quality control of aggregates, and evaluation of all materials used on construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.  Materials inspectors are responsible for assuring that the materials used in highway construction and maintenance projects meet the appropriate specifications.

In the districts, engineers focus on the needs of their assigned geographical area, routinely doing testing at ready-mix concrete plants to insure compliance with specifications.  The materials' inspectors within the Central Office address issues at a statewide level, resolve problems, and perform complex materials testing in the department's state-of-the-art Central Laboratory. 

While there is variation based on individual jobs, staff at all locations spend time in the field, in a laboratory, and at a desk fulfilling the requirements of interesting and important engineering functions.