Highway Maintenance Technician - CDL Driver / Equipment Operator - Whitehall

Montana Department of Transportation; Whitehall (MT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

State Retirement Plan

Paid vacation, sick leave & holidays

Overtime/compensatory time

Relocation assistance may be offered

Job summary

Montana Department of Transportation in Whitehall is recruiting a Maintenance Technician to perform laborer, lead worker, equipment operator, and truck driving duties for highway maintenance. The role involves operating heavy trucks and equipment for culvert work, landslide removal, sealing, fence/bridge repair, guardrail and sign installation, luminaire maintenance, and snow/ice control.

This position offers a career ladder with advancement opportunities and requires CDL Class A with tank

Qualifications

• One year experience driving heavy trucks or operating construction equipment.
• CDL Class A with tank endorsement and MEC; learner’s permit holders have 30 days to obtain CDL.
• Experience with public highway maintenance preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Operate trucks and heavy equipment for highway maintenance tasks.
• Perform culvert placement, cleaning, landslide removal and crack sealing.
• Perform fence building, bridge repair and guardrail or sign installation.
• Conduct roadway and vegetation maintenance, pavement markings and snow/ice control.

Skills

Heavy truck driving

Equipment operation

CDL Class A

Tank endorsement

Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC)

Education

MT CDL Class A (Type II) with tank endorsement

Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Job description

The Montana Department of Transportation is recruiting a Maintenance Technician in Whitehall. 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
• Relocation assistance may be offered to the successful candidate at the time of offer

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

Maintenance Tech Level I ($29.59):

• One (1) year experience driving heavy truck or operating construction equipment.
• 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.
• Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications may also be considered. If no qualified applicants, MDT is willing to consider a training assignment for individuals with no experience who would be eligible to obtain the CDL.

Maintenance Tech Level II ($30.09):

• Also requires one (1) year of documented experience from another city, county, or other state highway road department where you were employed for the purpose of road maintenance.

Maintenance Tech Level III ($30.59):

• Also 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.

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.

Other Information

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

Top candidates will be invited to participate in a practical test and behavioral-based interview prior to final selection.

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 bargaining unit agreement. Non-bargaining unit employees or employees of another bargaining unit may apply. If the position is not filled with a bargaining unit applicant, the non-bargaining unit applicants may be considered. However, bargaining unit applicants will have preference.

This position is posted for the Whitehall Section. Employees hired in the Whitehall Section have the choice of the Teamsters Union or Operators Union.

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.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire. Generally, sponsorship for work authorization is not available through the State of Montana.

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