Highway Maintenance Laborer

Freeborn County; Albert Lea (MN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Freeborn County is seeking a Highway Maintenance Laborer to support road, facility, and equipment upkeep across county operations. The role involves mowing, spraying, patching surfaces, and assisting with traffic control and sign installation.

The position requires a High School diploma or GED and some related work experience, with on-call duties including snow and ice emergencies. Training and certifications such as forklift, MSHA, and OSHA are noted as part of growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Some relevant work experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains road right-of-way by spraying and mowing and records spray operations.
• Assists with pavement patches and other road surface maintenance.
• Performs cleaning and maintenance on highway department property and shop.
• Assist sign department staff to install, repair and replace signs and mailboxes.
• Provides traffic control and flagging for road projects.
• Assist engineering staff by collecting load tickets on construction projects.

Skills

Tool operation

Road maintenance

Safety compliance

Reading instructions

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Some relevant work experience

Tools

Forklift Certification

MSHA Certification

OSHA Training

Driver's License

Job description

The Highway Maintenance Laborer position performs a variety of support tasks maintaining Freeborn County roads, facilities and equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains road right-of-way by spraying and mowing. Completes records of spray operations. Operates mowing equipment including tractor and batwing and flail type
  mower. Clears brush and vegetation from right-of-way.
• Assists with pavement patches and other road surface maintenance including crack sealing, rolling, blacktopping and spot graveling.
• Performs cleaning and maintenance duties on highway department property and shop including oil changes, small service jobs, fabrication jobs, housekeeping, and mounting and dismounting plow equipment.
• Assist sign department staff to install, repair and replace signs and mailboxes.
• Provides traffic control and flagging for road projects.
• Assist engineering staff by collecting load tickets on construction projects.
• Loads trucks with loader, backhoe or skid steer.
• Provides back-up for plow operators.
• Required to be on-call for snow, ice and other emergencies.
• Attends training, educational and staff meetings as assigned.
• On call 24/7.

While these are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as part of their role with the County.

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of proper and safe operation, servicing and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations regarding the operation of equipment, particularly those pertaining to their operation on public streets.
• Working knowledge of weed and brush control practices and the application of chemicals.
• Knowledge of road maintenance procedures.
• Familiarity with OSHA and relevant Department of Labor laws and requirements.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Highway Maintenance Laborer
• Ability to respond to calls for service outside of normal work schedule.
• Ability to perform a variety of typical assignments under moderate supervision within standard operating procedures.
• Ability to perform fairly standard procedures and tasks where basic analytical ability is required. Detailed guidelines and procedures are generally used to make decisions or determine actions.
• Ability to communicate with supervisor and co-workers with basic responses and courtesy.

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED
• Some relevant work experience

Licenses/Certifications

This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional certificates/licenses, depending on individual position assignments:

• Minnesota Driver's License
• MSHA Certification
• Forklift Certification
• OSHA Training

Equipment and Tools

• Office equipment and technology
• Continuous use of pickup truck, computer, IPAD, Phone, and radio
• Occasional use of skid steer, truck crane, backhoe, roller, and patch trailer
• Frequent use of tractor, fork lift, sprayer, 1-ton trucks
• Intermittent use of motor grader, loader, and sweeper

Physical and Mental Requirements

This job typically requires: sitting, standing, walking, crouching, feeling, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, driving, lifting, hearing, typing, and seeing. This position is generally heavy duty and may require the exertion up to 50 pounds of force and intermittently ability to lift, carry, push, pull and move objects over 100 pounds. Exposure to chemicals.

The physical demands described here are representative to those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a variety of environments including office, shop, vehicles and outdoors. May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, chemicals, oil, extreme temperatures, intense noises, travel and work activities requiring constant precautions and safety considerations.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies Common to All County Positions

• Develop, maintain a thorough working knowledge of, and comply with all departmental and applicable County policies and procedures.
• Demonstration by personal example the spirit of service, excellence, and integrity expected from all staff.
• Develop respectful and cooperative working relationships with co-workers, including willing assistance to newer staff so job responsibilities can be performed with confidence as quickly as possible.
• Confer regularly with and keep immediate supervisor informed of all important matters which pertain to the applicable job functions and responsibilities.
• Represent Freeborn County in a professional manner to the public, outside contacts and constituencies.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Minimum starting pay $21.72