Highway Maintenance Worker

South Dakota AG; Clear Lake (SD); On-site; USD 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Well-being program

Employee assistance program

Dental

Vision

Health Savings Account

Life insurance

Retirement with state match

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Paid family leave

Military leave

Paid holidays

Longevity pay

Semimonthly pay

Meal per diems

Paid overtime

Job summary

South Dakota Department of Transportation in Clear Lake is seeking a Highway Maintenance Worker to keep state highways safe and drivable. Duties include operating and maintaining heavy equipment, installing signs, and performing winter maintenance with a schedule that shifts from 10-hour days (May–Sept) to 8-hour days (Oct–Apr).

The role requires adaptability to night/weekend work during emergencies. Compensation includes hourly wages of $22.74–$24.25, comprehensive benefits, and eligibility for

Qualifications

• Experience operating heavy equipment or farming equipment is desirable.
• Basic math skills.
• Basic computer operation (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Perform roadway maintenance and roadside activities.
• Install/maintain signs, traffic control devices, and pavement markings.
• Maintain and repair equipment and facilities; respond to emergencies and weather events.

Skills

Positive attitude

Willingness to learn

Self-motivated

Teamwork

Job description

Job ID: 38394

Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations

Location: Clear Lake

Salary: $22.74 - $24.25 per hour, depending on experience

Pay Grade: GG

Closing Date: 11/24/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/.

Introduction

Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?

Job Description

Highway Maintenance Workers are responsible for ensuring the state highways are kept safe and drivable for the traveling public at all times. This position involves working as a member of a crew. Duties may include, but are not limited to, performing roadway maintenance activities; performing roadside activities; installing and replacing signs, permanent traffic control devices, and pavement markings; maintaining and repairing guardrail systems; performing structure maintenance and repair activities; performing winter maintenance; maintaining and repairing department facilities and properties; performing preventative maintenance and equipment repair; responding to emergencies and other incidents; providing on-the-job training and work direction; providing temporary traffic control through and around work zones and emergency/hazardous sites; maintaining documentation; operating and using a variety of equipment and tools; and promoting a safe work environment and participating in public safety awareness activities.

From approximately May 1 to September 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is 10-hour days, 4 days per week, from Monday through Thursday each week. From approximately October 1 - April 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work will be required, including working weekend hours and holidays during emergencies and inclement weather.

Work assignments are frequently performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.

Incumbent is eligible to receive $5.00 per hour winter maintenance premium pay when responding to and performing winter maintenance duties during a weekend and/or holiday.

Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with a N: Tank Vehicles endorsement within 120 days of hire date to retain employment. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.

Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside of South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.

Incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies; and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification.

What You Bring To The SDDOT

• positive attitude;
• willingness to learn;
• self-motivated and determined mindset.

What The SDDOT Offers

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high-deductible plans, and single and family plans)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

Experience in the operation of heavy equipment/farming or ranching equipment and/or experience in heavy construction is preferred.

Knowledge Of

• methods, materials, and techniques used to perform road maintenance activities (desirable but not required);
• preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts (desirable but not required);
• basic math to add, subtract, multiply, and divide;
• basic computer operation (desirable but not required).

Skill To

• use and maintain a variety of hand and power tools;
• operate, maintain, and repair various equipment and attachments (desirable but not required);
• drive and operate a manual transmission.

Ability To

• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• treat customers courteously and be responsive to their needs;
• work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals;
• display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
• attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
• lift 35 pounds routinely, up to 60 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 90 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
• routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Compensation

The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Highway Maintenance Worker is approximately $67,003.00 annually.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"