Highway Maintenance Technician – CDL Driver / Equipment Operator – Chester

State of Montana; Montana; On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Sick Leave

Holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Overtime Pay

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is seeking Highway Maintenance Technicians to support Chester operations. The role combines laborer, lead worker, equipment operator, and truck driver duties for highway maintenance tasks, including culverts, fencing, bridge repair, striping, and snow/ice control.

This position offers a career ladder with advancement opportunities. Applicants must hold a Montana Class A, Type II CDL with tank endorsement and MEC.

Qualifications

• Valid Montana Commercial Operators License (Class A, Type II) with no restrictions, a tank endorsement and MEC.
• Must live within 45 road miles of Chester Section House or relocate accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Operate trucks and heavy equipment for highway maintenance tasks.
• Perform culvert placement, guardrail or sign installation, and road repairs.
• Maintain and operate equipment in snow and ice control and vegetation maintenance.

Skills

Heavy truck driving experience

Operating construction equipment

Education

Montana Commercial Operators License (Class A, Type II)

Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC)

Job description

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is recruiting Highway Maintenance Technicians in Chester. This position performs a variety of work as a laborer, lead worker, equipment operator, and truck driver for highway maintenance activities. Operates various trucks and a variety of heavy equipment to perform culvert placement and installation/cleaning, landslide removal, crack/mastic sealing, fence building or bridge repair, guardrail or sign installation, luminaire maintenance, roadway repair, vegetation and roadside maintenance, pavement marking and striping operations, and snow and ice control. This position is part of a career ladder with career advancement opportunities.

Benefits of working for MDT and the State of Montana include:

• Culture of public service and a commitment to work/life balance
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Access to Montana Health Centers, low-cost clinics for state employees and their families
• State Retirement plan and additional savings opportunities (deferred compensation)
• Employees in this position receive overtime compensation or compensatory time for all time in a pay status over 40 hours in a workweek
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Benefits apply on first day of employment

For information on the Montana Department of Transportation’s mission, vision, and values, please visit our website: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/about.aspx#values

Required Education and Experience:

All levels require a valid Montana Commercial Operators License (Class A, Type II) with no restrictions, a tank endorsement and a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC). Applicants with a learner’s permit have 30 days to obtain the necessary Montana Commercial Operators License

Maintenance Technician I ($29.59)

• Requires one (1) year experience driving heavy truck or operating construction equipment.

Maintenance Technician II ($30.09)

• Requires two (2) years of documented experience from another city, county, or other state highway road department where you were employed for the purpose of road maintenance.

Maintenance Technician III ($30.59)

• Requires three (3) or more years of documented experience from another city, county, or other state highway road department where you were employed for the purpose of road maintenance.

The successful applicant must live or relocate within 45 road miles of the Chester Section House and must have a telephone or be reasonably accessible to the section headquarters.

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR representative listed above.

Other Information

• Driver’s record will be verified. Successful applicants will be required to sign a release form which authorizes the Department to obtain the applicant’s permanent driving records. Compliance with Mont. Admin. R. 2.6.201, “State Vehicle Use,” and MDT Policy #6.03.001, “State Vehicle Use Policy” are conditions of employment
• This position is being posted in accordance with the AFSCME bargaining unit agreement.
• Applicants may be eligible for placement up to a Maintenance Technician Level III if they have documented relevant experience from a city, county, or state highway road department(s) where they were employed for the purpose of road maintenance. Experience will determine level placement and wage.
• The Montana Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans and disabled veterans are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may call the Human Resources and Occupational Safety Division, at 406.444.6054.
• The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is committed to continuous improvement of our employee safety program and our safety and health processes, and to achieving an injury-free workplace.
• Effective 5/26/2026, MDT is participating in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov.