Highway Maintainer

DeKalb County Government; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

DeKalb County Government seeks a Highway Maintainer to perform skilled and semi-skilled maintenance on county roads and operate highway equipment. The role reports to the Operations Manager or Maintenance Foreman and includes duties such as snow plowing, patching, drainage work, and equipment maintenance.

The ideal candidate has a High School diploma or equivalent, 3 years of highway maintenance experience preferred, and holds a valid Illinois Class A CDL with air brake endorsement.

Qualifications

• Requires valid Illinois Class A CDL with air brake endorsement.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing and background check.
• Must be able to operate and learn highway maintenance equipment.
• Demonstrates strong communication and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of highway maintenance equipment and vehicles (e.g., trucks, graders, loaders, patching machines).
• Perform road surface repairs, patching, shoulder maintenance and drainage work.
• Plow snow and apply salt or de-icing materials as directed for safety.
• Assist in maintenance and repair of highway equipment.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Physical endurance

Safety mindset

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Highway Maintainer

Location: DeKalb County Highway Department, 1826 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb IL

Employment Type: Full-Time, Operators Union Local 150 Union position

Schedule: Day Shift 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday-Friday (with overtime mandatory)

Pay Rate: Position's current pay is $35.78 per hour, new hires begin at 80% for first 12 months, 90% for second 12 months, 100% beginning with year three of employment

Position Overview

DeKalb County Highway Department is seeking a Highway Maintainer. Under the general direction of the Operations Manager or Maintenance Foreman, performs skilled and semi-skilled maintenance, and repairs of county roads and operates all highway maintenance equipment including an assigned winter snow plow route.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate variety of equipment, vehicle, and vehicles with attachments to include but not limited to: trucks, tractors, mowers, loaders of various size, grader, backhoe, excavator, crack seal machine, hot-mix patching machine, rollers, paint machine, weed sprayer and a variety of hand tools.
• Perform county road surface repair, digging as needed, patching with repair mixture, leveling, and rolling; repair and maintain road shoulders; repair and maintain drainage appurtenances.
• Plows for the removal of snow and applies salt or other substances as needed and directed to improve highway safety in inclement weather.
• Assists in the maintenance and repair of highway equipment.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Education & Experience

• Required knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of high school.
• 3 years in highway maintenance or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of the procedures, methods and materials utilized in highway maintenance and repair.

Requirements

• Valid Illinois Class "A" Commercial Driver's License with air brake endorsement.
• Allow pre-employment and annual CDL Clearinghouse inquiry.
• Pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
• Before end of probation period Licensing or the ability to obtain licensing for the application of herbicides (issued by the State of IL Dept of Agriculture); obtain flagging certification.
• Strong commitment to health and safety guidelines.
• Good communication skills and problem-solving ability, effectively follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to operate or learn the operation of standard and specialized vehicular equipment and hand tools utilized in highway maintenance and repair.
• Physical strength and stamina to meet job demands to perform manual labor; physical activities such as climbing, lifting, carrying, balancing, walking, stooping, digging, and applying/handling/erecting of materials.
• Establish and maintain relationships with co-workers, staff and general public.
• Expected to be self-starting, show initiative and provide leadership in accomplishing work and tasks assigned with minimal supervision at times.
• Able to work in all weather conditions.
• May be subject to a physical exam and a background check.