Highway Maintenance Specialist

Oregon Department of Human Services; McKenzie Bridge (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work/life balance

11 paid holidays a year

Flexible work schedules

Paid leave

Job summary

Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking a Transportation Maintenance Specialist 2 – Highway Maintenance Specialist in McKenzie Bridge. The role involves operating a range of equipment to keep roadways safe and functional, performing repairs, and supporting weather-related maintenance operations.

The position requires CDL-A with tanker endorsement preferred, heavy lifting, and the ability to work under varied weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Two years of general landscaping/maintenance experience or training.
• Experience with highway maintenance tasks is preferred.
• Winter maintenance experience (sanding, deicing) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment to maintain and repair road surfaces.
• Perform minor surface repairs, pothole patching and small inlay work.
• Clear debris, mow grass, spray roadside vegetation and maintain drainage systems.
• Maintain fences, guardrails, barriers and milepost markers.
• Inspect and repair culverts, ditches and erosion control structures.
• Engage in routine maintenance including janitorial tasks, landscaping, painting and light carpentry.

Skills

General maintenance experience

Tools

CDL-A (tanker endorsement)

Job description

Job Title

Highway Maintenance Specialist

Location & Details

Oregon Department of Transportation Delivery & Operations Division – Region 2 District 5 McKenzie Bridge

Position Type: Employee

Salary Range: $4,312 - $5,988 per month

Application Deadline: 10/29/2026

Role Overview

Transportation Maintenance Specialist 2 – Highway Maintenance Specialist. 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.

Day in the Life

• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment and tools to maintain and repair various surfaces.
• Assist with weather related emergencies and operate snowplows, deicer trucks and other equipment to clear snow from roadways.
• Perform minor surface repairs including pothole and concrete patching and small inlay work.
• Clear debris, clear brush, mow grass and spray roadside vegetation.
• Maintain and repair fences, guardrails, concrete barriers and milepost markers.
• 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.
• Service and repair tools and motorized equipment.
• Perform minor maintenance including janitorial work, landscaping, painting and light carpentry.

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.

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• 11 paid holidays a year
• flexible work schedules
• paid leave and so much more
• 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.
• 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

• Two years of general landscaping, maintenance, mechanical, farming, logging, and/or construction experience or training;
• OR One year of experience performing basic highway maintenance work.

Special Qualifications

• This position requires a maximum 45 minute response time to 56377 N. Bank Road, McKenzie Bridge Oregon 97413 for emergency call-outs.
• 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 U.S. 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.

Desired Experience (What we’d like to see)

• 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.
• Winter maintenance experience such as sanding, deicing or using snow blowers or snowplows.
• Experience using hand tools and operating light and heavy equipment such as tractors, excavators, loaders or dump trucks.
• Experience completing basic mechanical repairs on light and heavy vehicles or equipment.

Other 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 Aff

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.