Highway Maintenance Worker

Sdsoybean; Custer (SD); On-site; USD 46,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks in Custer, SD is seeking a full-time employee to maintain park roadways and operate heavy equipment, ensuring safe, accessible facilities for visitors. Strong communication and safety awareness are essential as duties include record-keeping, reporting, and adapting to varied weather and emergencies.

This role requires a valid driver’s license with the ability to obtain a Class A CDL within 30 days of hire and compliance with testing and

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience in road maintenance (asphalt and gravel surfaces).
• Experience operating heavy equipment and maintaining park infrastructure.
• Good communication skills and ability to follow safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintains Custer State Park roadways, fire trails, infrastructure and equipment.
• Prepares records and reports; ensures facilities are safe and welcoming.
• Works in all weather, may include weekends for events or emergencies.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Communication skills

Manual transmission driving

Job description

Custer, SD | Game, Fish and Parks | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

22.48 - 22.48 US per hour

Posted 3 days ago | Apply before October 14, 2026

Description

Job ID: 37725
Agency: Department ofGame Fish & Parks
Location:Custer, SDSalary:$22.48/hr
Pay Grade:G
Closing Date:10/14/2026

Why the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks?

Working for the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks is not just a job. It is a life passion. It is about working together as a team with colleagues, customers, landowners, and partner organizations to ensure that our state’s outdoor heritage lives on for the next generation. Providing exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities for people to enjoy is one of the best jobs in state government. Our atmosphere empowers professional success and team building, while fostering relationships to build a culture focused on our four strategic plan goals.

• Serve as stewards of our state’s natural resources
• Foster professional excellence

Maintains Custer State Park roadways, fire trails, infrastructure & heavy equipment. Prepares and maintains records and reports, ensures park facilities are safe, accessible and inviting to provide maximum customer satisfaction.

Works in all weather conditions, high volume traffic, around hazardous chemicals, around and with power, sewer, and water lines. Work involves heavy lifting and hard manual labor. May work weekends for special events or emergency situations related to snowfall, fire, floods, or infrastructure repairs.

Incumbent must have a valid driver's license and be able to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) within 30 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.

This is a full-time position with the Department of Game Fish & Parks. For more information on the Department of Game Fish & Parks, please visit https://gfp.sd.gov/ .

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Knowledge and experience in road maintenance both asphalt and gravel surfacing, experience in operating heavy equipment, knowledge of utility line repairs and good communication skills.

Knowledge of:

• safe operation, maintenance and repair of heavy equipment;
• use and maintenance of a wide variety of job-related hand tools;
• record keeping and report writing;
• use and application of various construction materials;
• arithmetic sufficient to calculate volume and quantity of materials;
• plumbing and electrical repairs sufficient to maintain park infrastructure;
• weather conditions and their effect on road surfaces.

Ability to:

• drive and operate manual transmission;
• operate a variety of heavy equipment used in road construction;
• organize and complete assigned projects;
• use a variety of hand and power tools;
• work in all weather conditions;
• communicate sufficiently to convey instructions and information about assigned work;
• sit for extended periods in rough riding equipment;
• routinely kneel, bend, stoop, and twist to perform work activities;
• work around traffic, sewer, dust and noise.

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.