Highway Maintenance Operator

Benton County; Gilmanton Township (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Benton County Public Works/Highway Department is hiring a Highway Maintenance Operator to maintain county roads, bridges, and related infrastructure. You will operate a wide range of heavy and light equipment and perform routine and seasonal road maintenance to keep travel safe and efficient.

The role requires a two-year degree in Equipment Operation or related field, plus two years of relevant experience and a Minnesota Class A CDL.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in Equipment Operation or related field.
• Two years of road/highway maintenance experience or equivalent.
• Valid Minnesota CDL Class A is required.
• Background check and pre-employment testing including drug testing.
• Ability to obtain safety certifications within one year.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and inspect county roads, ditches, and culverts in all seasonal conditions.
• Operate a range of light and heavy equipment and assist with snow removal.
• Install traffic control devices and signage; perform flagging duties.
• Coordinate with the Sheriff's Office on seasonal road restrictions and respond to public inquiries.

Skills

Safety-focused

Mechanical aptitude

Communication

Team player

CDL Class A

Education

Two-year associate degree in Equipment Operation or related field

Tools

Motor graders

Loaders

Dump trucks

Sign trucks

Snow plows

Forklifts

Job description

NOW HIRING! EXCELLENT JOB OPPORTUNITY! JOIN THE BENTON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS/HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TEAM!

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. Seasonal summer hours are Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:00 – 11:00 a.m. Schedule may be subject to change based on the department's needs.

Interview Process

Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person. Dates and times are TBD. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.

Field Skills Test

A Field Skills Test may be required as part of the selection process. Dates and times are TBD. Candidates selected to participate will receive additional information and scheduling instructions. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.

Application Deadline: Monday, September 14, 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

Essential Functions

• 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. Assist with building maintenance and repair.
• C. Assist Civil Engineering Technicians.
• D. Subject to emergency calls outside of normal work hours.
• E. Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

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.
• E. Must successfully complete a background check.
• F. This is a safety-sensitive position. Must complete and pass all required pre-employment testing.
• F. 1. Drug & Alcohol testing.
• F. 1. 1. Subject to random drug testing.
• G. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
• G. 1. Ability to obtain and maintain, within one (1) year of hire:
  • G. 1. 1. Chainsaw Training and Certification.
  • G. 1. 2. Crane Training and Certification.
  • G. 1. 3. First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, as required by the position. Training, proficiency testing, and certification must be maintained every two (2) years.
  • G. 1. 4. Flagger Training and Certification.
  • G. 1. 5. Forklift and Bucket Training and Certification.
  • G. 1. 6. Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification.
  • G. 1. 7. Tanker Training and Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• A. Three (3) years of relevant experience in snow plowing.
• B. Experience operating a motor grader, including snow plowing and shaping gravel roads.
• C. Experience in performing roadway construction, maintenance, and repair for public works or a highway department.
• D. Experience operating a variety of heavy and light equipment used in road maintenance and construction.
• E. Experience operating specialized road maintenance equipment, such as shoulder machines, crack sealers, patching equipment, street sweepers, rollers, road stripers, or similar equipment.
• F. Experience operating and maintaining trucks and equipment with specialized attachments.
• G. Experience performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on heavy equipment, vehicles, and small engines.
• H. Experience applying weed and dust control chemicals.
• I. 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, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury within the office.
• C. Must be able to perform moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).
• D. Environmental conditions include heat, cold, wetness, toxic chemicals, insect-borne illnesses, traffic, and other occupational hazards associated with road construction and maintenance.
• E. This position may be intermittently exposed to offensive language, threats, mental effort, and stress.
• F. This position occasionally performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
• G. This position is exposed to the potential dangers of distracted driving.
• H. Subject to a random drug testing program.

Hours of Work

• A. Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• B. Seasonal Summer hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• C. Schedule may be subject to change, depending on department needs.

Equipment Utilized

• A. Office equipment, computer hardware and software, and phones.
• B. Light and heavy road maintenance vehicles, equipment, and tools used in the performance of duties.
• C. Equipment Operation and Maintenance:
  • C. 1. 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.

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. 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.