Highway Maintenance Operator

Benton County; Gilmanton Township (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Benton County Public Works/Highway Department is seeking a Highway Maintenance Operator to maintain and repair county roads and related structures, and safely operate a variety of highway maintenance equipment.

The role requires CDL A, field experience, and the ability to work in all seasons and hours, including evenings and emergencies. Training and certifications may be pursued as needed.

Qualifications

• Completion of a two‑year associate’s degree or higher in Equipment Operation or related field.
• Two years of relevant road/highway maintenance experience.
• Valid Minnesota Class A CDL and FMCSA Clearinghouse registration.
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug testing and background checks.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and emergencies as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and inspect county roads, ditches, signs, and culverts in all seasonal conditions.
• Haul and place gravel and bituminous on highways and roads.
• Operate snowplows and other heavy equipment for snow/ice removal.
• Install and maintain traffic control devices and signage; conduct flagging operations.
• Perform monthly inventory checks and assist with equipment maintenance.

Skills

Safety-conscious

Equipment operation

Public communication

Physical stamina

Education

Two-year associate degree in Equipment Operation or related field

Tools

CDL Class A

FMCSA Clearinghouse

Drug & Alcohol testing compliance

Job description

HIGHWAYMAINTENANCEOPERATOR

Benton County Public Works/Highway Department

Help keep Benton County’s roads safe, accessible, and moving year-round. We’re looking for a dependable, safety-minded individual to operate equipment, maintain county roads, and support essential highway operations in all seasons.

The Benton County Public Works/Highway Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Highway Maintenance Operator.

Hours of Work

• Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. During the summer, hours are Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:00–11:00 a.m.
• Schedules may be adjusted based on departmental needs, weather conditions, emergencies, and other operational demands. Employees may be required to work outside their regular scheduled hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather or emergency situations.

Interview Process

Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person. Dates and times are to be determined. Candidates selected for an interview will receive additional information and scheduling instructions by email. Please monitor your email for updates.

Field Skills Test

A field skills test may be required as part of the selection process. Dates and times are to be determined. Candidates selected to participate will receive additional information and scheduling instructions by email.

Application Deadline

Monday, November 16, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Position Summary

Responsible for the maintenance and repair of Benton County roads, bridges, related structures, and highway maintenance equipment. Safely operates a variety of highway maintenance equipment and performs roadway maintenance activities to ensure safe, efficient, and accessible travel for the public.

Duties and Responsibilities

• A. Maintain and inspect county roads, ditches, signs, and culverts, and perform related duties in all seasonal conditions.
• A. 1. Haul and place gravel and bituminous on county highways and roads.
• A. 2. Perform pavement maintenance and repair.
• A. 3. Operate snowplows and other heavy equipment to remove snow, ice, and storm debris from County roadways and apply ice control materials.
• A. 4. Maintain land and ditches, which may include cutting brush, grass, shaping and seeding slopes, spraying weeds, and applying herbicides, as needed.
• A. 5. Assist the Sheriff’s Office with seasonal road restrictions.
• A. 6. Maintain and repair culverts, ditches, bridges, right-of-way, etc., including brush and weed control and herbicide application.
• B. Operate light and heavy equipment.
• C. Install and remove snow equipment.
• D. Install and maintain traffic control devices and signage and conduct flagging operations.
• E. Perform minor to occasional major repairs, maintain maintenance equipment and vehicles, to ensure compliance with DOT safety regulations.
• F. Communicate with the public regarding highway department operations and respond to questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• G. Perform monthly inventory checks.

Additional Functions

• A. Attend training as needed.
• B. Complete timecard entries accurately and timely.
• C. Provide occasional directions and technical guidance to seasonal employees regarding projects, processes, and procedures.
• D. Assist with building maintenance and repair.
• E. Assist Civil Engineering Technicians.
• F. Subject to emergency calls outside of normal work hours.
• G. Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• A. Completion of a two (2) year associate’s diploma or degree program (or higher) in Equipment Operation or a closely related field; and
• B. Two (2) years of relevant experience in road or highway maintenance, construction, light or heavy equipment operation, or a closely related field; OR
• C. Equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
• D. Must possess a valid Minnesota Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and be qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Minnesota; and
• E. Must be registered, or register, in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and satisfactorily complete the Clearinghouse Query; and
• F. This is a safety-sensitive position. Must complete and pass all required pre-employment testing; and
• F. 1. Drug & Alcohol testing.
• F. 1. 1. Subject to random drug testing.
• G. Must successfully complete a background check and driver’s license verification; and
• H. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
• H. 1. Ability to obtain and maintain, within one (1) year of hire:
• H. 1. 1. Chainsaw Training and Certification.
• H. 1. 2. Crane Training and Certification.
• H. 1. 3. First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, as required by the position. Training, proficiency testing, and certification must be maintained every two (2) years.
• H. 1. 4. Flagger Training and Certification.
• H. 1. 5. Forklift and Bucket Training and Certification.
• H. 1. 6. Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification.
• H. 1. 7. Tanker Training and Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• A. Must maintain a primary residence within a forty (40) minute drive to the primary shop, driving under normal conditions and posted speed limits within one (1) year of employment. This is intended to support timely response to departmental needs, weather-related events, emergencies, and other operational demands in support of public safety.
• B. Three (3) years of relevant experience in snow plowing.
• C. Experience operating a motor grader, including snow plowing and shaping gravel roads.
• D. Experience in performing roadway construction, maintenance, and repair for public works or a highway department.
• E. Experience operating a variety of heavy and light equipment used in road maintenance and construction.
• F. Experience operating specialized road maintenance equipment, such as shoulder machines, crack sealers, patching equipment, street sweepers, rollers, road stripers, or similar equipment.
• G. Experience operating and maintaining trucks and equipment with specialized attachments.
• H. Experience performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on heavy equipment, vehicles, and small engines.
• I. Experience applying weed and dust control chemicals.
• J. Experience with traffic control devices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A. Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations regarding the operation of equipment, particularly those pertaining to their operation on public streets.
• B. Knowledge and skill in proper snow and ice removal techniques.
• C. Knowledge of small and large engine mechanics.
• D. Skill in operating heavy equipment and vehicles used in roadway maintenance and snow/ice removal.
• E. Knowledge of state and federal OSHA standards and requirements.
• F. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• G. Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved; supervisor generally sets operating benchmarks, goals, and objectives.
• H. Ability to apply a variety of procedures, policies, and precedents using moderate analytical ability.
• I. Ability to effectively communicate with the department and other departments, outside agencies, and the public on specialized matters requiring detailed or technical responses/explanations.
• J. Ability to travel within your daily work assignment.
• K. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
• L. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
• M. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• N. Performs the physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
• O. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours, as necessary.
• P. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
• Q. Must comply with data practices policies and standards related to private data. Access to private data is limited strictly to what is necessary to perform assigned job duties. While accessing such data, the employee must take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related need. Once the work-related purpose has been met, private data must be properly secured and stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• A. Work is performed both in the office and in the field.
• B. Headaches, eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, injuries, and other related occupational hazards reflect some of the most common potential risks associated with office and field work.
• C. Must be able to perform moderately physically demanding work, typically involving walking, standing, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing staircases and heights, and balancing. Work may require reaching straight ahead and above and below shoulder level with either arm individually or both arms simultaneously. Duties may also involve lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling heavy objects and materials weighing up to 100 pounds.
• D. Must be able to use fingers for fine manipulation, use the sense of touch and near vision, demonstrate analytical ability, apply sound judgment, work effectively with interruptions, and use effective organizational and interpersonal skills.
• E. Must be able to communicate verbally and interact effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, contractors, and others encountered in the course of work.
• F. This position occasionally performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
• G. The incumbent may be required to work indoors and outdoors, in confined spaces and on uneven ground, independently and with or around others, and interact with the public.
• H. Work is performed in varied weather conditions and may require working in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and other adverse weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to changing weather conditions, uneven terrain, traffic, moving equipment, and other hazards associated with highway maintenance and emergency response activities.
• I. Incumbents may be exposed to the following environmental conditions and occupational hazards: heat, cold, wetness, humidity, marked changes in temperature, dust, fumes, noise, vibrations, toxic chemicals, infectious diseases, insect-borne illnesses, traffic, pressurized equipment, explosive materials, burning materials, moving objects, and other hazards associated with road construction and maintenance.
• J. Employees may be required to respond to weather-related events and other emergencies, which may involve working outside regular business hours, during evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended periods as operational needs require.
• K. This position may be intermittently exposed to foul or offensive language, offensive behavior, threats, mental effort, and stressful situations.
• L. This position is exposed to the potential dangers of distracted driving.
• M. Subject to a random drug testing program.

Equipment Utilized

• A. Office equipment, computer hardware and software, two-way radio, and phones.
• B. Light and heavy road maintenance vehicles, equipment, and tools used in the performance of duties.
• C. Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Responsible for operating and maintaining a wide range of light and heavy specialized equipment, including motor graders, loaders, dump trucks, sign trucks, snow equipment, street sweepers, rollers, tractors and attachments, backhoes/excavators, shouldering machines, crack sealer machines, dura patchers, patch trailers, screen plants, chippers, dozers, trash pumps, forklifts and attachments, sprayers, steamers, cranes and hoists, truck scales, portable air compressors, packers, welders, skid loaders, chainsaws, pole saws, string trimmers, bucket trucks, plasma cutters, torches, grinders, band saws, drill presses, brine systems, post benders/presses, sand blasters, road stripers, generators, air tools, and transit/laser levels.

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.