Highway Maintenance Specialist (Seasonal)

State of Oregon; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 48,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

11 paid holidays a year

Paid leave

Job summary

State of Oregon is seeking a Winter Seasonal Highway Maintenance Specialist in Hermiston to join our maintenance crew. The position involves operating heavy and light equipment to keep roads safe and passable during winter weather.

CDL‑A and tanker endorsement are required, with pre‑employment checks and a potential 60‑minute response time for emergencies. The role lasts about five months from November 2026, offering benefits eligibility and a path to public service loan forgiveness.

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.
• CDL-A required: must possess a current CDL-A with no air brake restrictions, no 5th wheel restrictions and no manual transmission restrictions; tanker endorsement within 30 days of hire.
• A valid driver license and acceptable driving record required; pre-employment driving records checks will be conducted.
• FMCSA policy changes may affect CDL eligibility; refer to FMCSA announcement for details.
• Position requires up to 60 minutes response time to 1840 S Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR 97838 for emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment to maintain and repair surfaces.
• Assist with weather related emergencies and operate snowplows, deicer trucks and other equipment.
• Perform minor surface repairs including pothole and concrete patching and small inlay work.
• Clear debris, brush, mow grass and spray roadside vegetation.
• Maintain fences, guardrails, concrete barriers and milepost markers.
• Maintain drainage systems, ditches and culverts; repair erosion.
• Maintain wooded areas including replanting and pruning trees and shrubs.
• Service and repair tools and motorized equipment.
• Perform minor maintenance including janitorial work, landscaping, painting and light carpentry.

Skills

CDL-A

Tanker endorsement

Job description

Position Title: Highway Maintenance Specialist (Seasonal)

Posting Date: 08/19/2026

Application Deadline: 09/02/2026

Agency: Department of Transportation

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

Position Type: Employee

The Role

Do you want to use your skills to make a difference? Join our hardworking Hermiston maintenance crew as a Winter seasonal employee and help keep Oregon’s roads and travelers safe! ODOT’s maintenance and operations crews tackle the daily work needed to keep Oregon’s transportation system safe and open for travelers and freight. We’re here for day‑to‑day needs, extreme weather events and everything in between. Our goal is the same as yours: We want you to get where you need to go safely. This is a seasonal position that is expected to last approximately 5 months from date of hire (November 2026). Seasonal positions are regular status, benefits eligible positions, which occur, terminate and recur periodically or regularly. 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

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

Special Qualifications

CDL‑A Required: Employee will be required to use a commercial motor vehicle to conduct business. You must possess a current, valid commercial driver’s license A (CDL‑A) with no air brake restrictions, no 5th wheel restrictions and no manual transmission restrictions to be considered eligible for this position. You must also have or be able to obtain a tanker endorsement within 30 days of hire.

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 60 minute response time to 1840 S Hwy 395, Hermiston, OR 97838 for emergency call‑outs.

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.
• Winter maintenance experience such as sanding, deicing or using snow blowers or snowplows.
• Experience using hand tools and operating light or heavy equipment such as tractors, excavators, loaders or dump trucks.
• Experience working on a team and safe work practices while operating equipment.
• Experience with changing road conditions, weather changes, and emergency situations.

Additional Information

• This recruitment will remain open until filled. Our first application screening is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, but we may close the announcement at any time after this date when we have received an adequate number of applications. We cannot guarantee that we will consider applications received after this screening date. We encourage interested applicants not to delay in applying.
• 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.