CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

Caltrans; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltrans in Merced County is seeking a Highway Maintenance Worker to join our team. This permanent, full-time position involves operating maintenance equipment, performing landscape and highway upkeep, and ensuring roadside safety in our district.

The role requires a valid Class C driver’s license, willingness to travel up to 80% for operations, and adherence to safety training and state policies. Drugs and background checks will be conducted, with telework possible per policy.

Qualifications

• Valid Class C driver's license required.
• Drug screening and background investigation will be conducted.
• Final filing date requirements and documentation must be met.

Responsibilities

• Operate and service Caltrans landscape or highway maintenance equipment.
• Perform highway and landscape maintenance tasks to ensure safety and accessibility.
• Assist in maintenance of structures, emergency services, and rest areas as needed.
• Overnight travel up to 80% may be required based on operational needs.

Skills

Equipment operation

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #

JC-536706

Position #(s)

910-680-6287-XXX

Working Title

Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Classification

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

$4,102.00 - $4,865.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions

Multiple

Work Location

Merced County

Telework

In Office

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Facility

California Department of Transportation

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description And Duties

Under the supervision of a Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor, a Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker will operate and service highway maintenance equipment identified as Levels of Equipment for Caltrans Landscape or Highway Maintenance Worker. The Highway Maintenance Worker will operate specified vehicles requiring a Class C driver's license including light trucks, automobiles, highway maintenance, bridge maintenance, emergency service, construction, or landscape equipment. The Highway Maintenance Worker will perform miscellaneous labor-intensive work in connection with both the Caltrans Landscape and Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker duties, and performs duties pertaining to highway maintenance, structures maintenance, emergency service, landscape, construction and maintenance of safety roadside rest areas; and do related work as noted below. The Highway Maintenance Worker must maintain knowledge of all current mandated and applicable safety training and standards, policies, practices, directives, and expectations, and complies with all departmental training and safe work practice requirements.

The Highway Maintenance Worker may also be assigned to perform operational duties normally assigned to the other classifications as part of their normal assignment and be assigned to other units and/or geographical areas as operational needs dictate. The Highway Maintenance Worker may also be called upon to provide training on equipment to other employees. Overnight travel out of town up to 80 percent of time may be a requirement to meet operational needs.

PARF: 10-27-0166 / JC: 536706

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: Human Resources Manual - CalHR

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to the worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the head-quartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the highlighted location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

The position(s) require(s) a valid and Class C driver’s license.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 11/5/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).