Highway Maintenance Specialist

Oregon Department of Transportation; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation in Bend, OR seeks a Highway Maintenance Specialist to join the regional crew. You will operate equipment to maintain roadways, bridges, and structures, assist in emergency cleanup, and support traffic control after storms and incidents.

The role requires CDL-A or the ability to obtain it, with tanker endorsement, plus driving record checks. Expect exposure to varied weather, lifting up to 60 pounds, and possible after-hours availability.

Qualifications

• One year of experience performing basic highway maintenance work.
• Two years of general landscaping, maintenance, mechanical, farming, logging, and/or construction experience or training.
• Current, valid CDL-A with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within 60 days and CDL-A with tanker endorsement within six months.
• Valid driver license and driving record checks will be conducted for final candidates.

Responsibilities

• Assist with weather-related emergencies and operate snowplows, deicer trucks and other equipment to clear roadways.
• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment to maintain and repair surfaces.
• Perform minor surface repairs including pothole and concrete patching.
• Maintain and repair fences, guardrails, barriers and milepost markers.
• Clear debris, brush, mow grass and spray roadside vegetation.
• Maintain drainage systems and repair culverts and erosion features.
• Maintain wooded areas including tree and shrub maintenance.
• Be prepared for emergency calls after hours, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Snowplow operation

Traffic control

Education

Commercial driver's license A with tanker endorsement

Public pesticide applicator license

Job description

Job Description

Transportation Maintenance Specialist 2 – Highway Maintenance Specialist

Oregon Department of Transportation

Delivery and Operations Division – Region 4

Bend

Initial Posting Date

08/17/2026

Application Deadline

08/31/2026

Agency

Department of Transportation

Salary Range

$4,312 - $5,988

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Highway Maintenance Specialist

The Role

Do you want to use your skills to make a difference? Join our hardworking

The Role

Do you want to use your skills to make a difference? Join our hardworking Bend maintenance crew and help keep Oregon’s roads and travelers safe! As part of our team, you will operate equipment necessary to maintain and repair roadways, highways, bridges and structures. You will also help with emergency cleanup and traffic control after storms, spills, incidents and more!

We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive. We encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply for our positions.

A Day In The Life

• Assist with weather related emergencies and operate snowplows, deicer trucks and other equipment to clear snow from roadways.
• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment and tools to maintain and repair various surfaces.
• Perform minor surface repairs including pothole and concrete patching and small inlay work.
• Maintain and repair fences, guardrails, concrete barriers and milepost markers.
• Clear debris, clear brush, mow grass and spray roadside vegetation.
• Maintain drainage systems, dig and clean ditches and repair culverts, inlets and erosion.
• Maintain wooded areas which includes replanting, pruning, thinning or trimming trees, shrubs and groundcover.
• Exposure to noise, extreme heights, all weather conditions, heavy equipment, pesticides and hazardous waste materials is expected.
• Must be able to move around rough terrain, bend and stoop for extended periods and may need to lift up to 60 pounds.
• May need to travel around the region and be available after hours, on weekends and holidays for emergency, on call and weather related purposes.
• To request a copy of the position description, which includes all duties and working conditions, please email [e-mail].

What’s In It For You

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, paid leave and so much more. Learn more about working at the Oregon Department of Transportation and the benefits we offer.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity!

Minimum Qualifications

One year of experience performing basic highway maintenance work.

OR

Two years of general landscaping, maintenance, mechanical, farming, logging, and/or construction experience or training.

Special Qualifications

You must possess a current, valid commercial driver's license A (CDL-A) with a tanker endorsement, no air brake restrictions, no 5th wheel restrictions and no manual transmission restrictions, OR have the ability to acquire a class A commercial learner permit within 60 days of hire and a CDL-A with a tanker endorsement and restrictions removed within six months of hire (ODOT will cover training costs) to be considered eligible for this position.

A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks, including Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse registration and full query check for our final candidate(s) and annual query for current employees.

As of Sept. 29, 2025, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rescinded prior guidance that allowed state DMVs to issue limited term commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). As a result, individuals who hold a lawful employment authorization document (EAD) are no longer eligible to obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) or commercial driver’s license (CDL). This federal policy change may impact candidates applying for positions that require a CDL. For more information, please refer to the FMCSA announcement and the accompanying FAQ.

This position requires a maximum 45 minute response time to 63055 N Highway 97, Bend, OR 97703 for emergency call-outs.

This position requires the final candidate obtain their Public Pesticide Applicator’s license within six months of hire.

• Once licensed, employees earn an extra $2.75 per hour when performing licensed pesticide or herbicide duties. For questions or to learn more, contact the recruiter listed in the Need help? section below.

What We’d Like To See

If you have these attributes, let us know in your application materials! It's how we will choose whom to move forward! You do not need to have all these qualities to be eligible for this position. We may also use transferable skills, experience and education to help us decide who will move forward.

• Experience in road maintenance, construction or in a maintenance training program such as ODOT High School to Highway program, ODOT/ODF Fire and Ice program, Job Corps, etc.
• A current, valid commercial driver’s license A (CDL-A) is preferred.
• A current, valid public pesticide applicator’s license is preferred.
• Experience working on a team.
• Experience working safely, monitoring safety or reporting safety issues.
• Winter maintenance experience such as sanding, deicing or using snow blowers or snowplows.
• Communication skills including following verbal and written instructions.

Additional Information

• We do not offer visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. We are not an E-Verify participating employer, and we are unable to proceed if E-Verify participation is required [e.g., STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Extension].
• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an education institution during the application process.
• We may use this recruitment to fill multiple or future vacancies.
• We will conduct name-based criminal background checks on final candidates, not including current ODOT employees. All applicants may be subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as driver license, LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System), and/or education verification as required for the position.
• You will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

ODOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices. Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding EEO/AA/ADA, contact 1-877-336-6368 (1-877-EEO-ODOT). This information can be made available in an alternative format by contacting ODOT Recruitment at 503-986-3700. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.