Highway Maintenance Worker 2 (In-Training) | Multiple Positions

State of Washington; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in transportation is seeking dedicated individuals for Highway Maintenance Worker positions. This role offers hands-on learning and a clear career path, allowing you to progress through the Highway Maintenance Worker series. You'll be responsible for maintaining state highways, operating heavy equipment, and ensuring public safety. Ideal candidates enjoy outdoor work, possess a strong safety mindset, and are ready to respond to emergency situations. Join a dynamic team committed to enhancing the infrastructure of Northwest Washington while enjoying a range of benefits, including flexible schedules and paid leave.

Benefits

Flexible Work Schedules

Paid Leave

Tuition Assistance

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in highway maintenance or related fields.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate heavy machinery.

Responsibilities

• Perform highway maintenance and repair tasks.
• Operate heavy equipment and manage traffic control operations.

Skills

Heavy Equipment Operation

Traffic Control

Manual Labor

Emergency Response

Safety Awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Trade School Education

Tools

Class A CDL

Traffic Control/Flagging Card

Pesticide Applicator’s License

Job description

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is looking for multiple enthusiastic career-minded individuals who want to make a difference to join our dynamic team in Auburn and Kent, WA, supporting the vast infrastructure of Northwest Washington. This is an in-training opportunity that offers a career path, hands-on learning, and mentorship and allows you to progress upward through the Highway Maintenance Worker series and achieve the goal class of a Highway Maintenance Worker 2. This opportunity is perfect for someone who loves working outdoors, performing manual labor, and operating a variety of equipment to complete tasks. As part of our maintenance team, you will assist with repairing and rebuilding of state highways, and adjacent right of ways to assure they remain in a condition that promotes the movement of traffic, and safety to the motoring public. We encourage you to apply if you are dependable and looking for a career with growth potential!

Working in the maintenance area will require responsible, safety-minded individuals to accomplish assigned tasks and may require operating trucks as well as other heavy equipment. These positions require a quick response time to job sites. Highway maintenance crews are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By taking on this role, you are serving a key and vital function to the State of Washington.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Worker 2 will:

• Perform journey-level highway, roadside, infrastructure, and right-of-way maintenance and repair tasks.
• Operate Class A, B, and/or C heavy equipment to maintain state roadways and highways.
• Design and set up traffic control operations, as well as full road or bridge closures according to departmental and MUTCD standards.
• Remove dangerous and hazardous debris from roadways.
• Removal of snow and ice during winter season.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity at the Highway Maintenance Worker 1 level, the following are required:

• One (1) year of experience performing maintenance activities in a related field of work, such as highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, trucking, or heavy equipment experience.

AND

• Possession of an unrestricted valid driver’s license to legally operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Education from a trade school may be substituted for the required experience on a year for year basis.
• Must obtain Washington State CDL Class A driver’s license with endorsement “N” and without air brakes restriction and no transmission restrictions within 12 months of employment.

To be considered for this opportunity at the Highway Maintenance Worker 2 level, the following are required:

• Two (2) years of highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, or heavy equipment experience

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Highway Maintenance Worker 1 or equivalent.

AND

• Possession of an unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsement to legally operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Possession of a valid Traffic Control/Flagging card with experience performing traffic control per MUTCD including planning, setting signs and cones or barrels, and flagging; or obtain within six (6) months of hire.
• Possession of Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License; or obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Possession of Backflow Prevention Tester Certification; or obtain within twelve (12) months of hire.

The following is required at both levels:

• The ability to transport materials and equipment up to 50 pounds.
• The ability to respond to emergency call outs, work different and/or extended shifts on short notice (days, nights and weekends), and perform standby duty.
• Ability to report in service to assigned duty station for an after-hours call.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, confined spaces, uneven terrain, and next to fast high volume highway traffic.
• Ability to traverse steep, rough and uneven terrain; work at heights above 25ft over land or water; work in heat and around hot asphalt.
• Ability to operate Class A, B, and C equipment with current technology in highway maintenance operations.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• High school graduation or GED.
• Washington State Traffic Control/Flagging Card
• Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License.
• Backflow Prevention Tester Certification.
• Crane Certificate.

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• The salary listed includes the legislative-approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County and 10% Group C Assignment Pay.
• Obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License is made easier with WSDOT! We provide on the job training and partial financial assistance for positions requiring CDLs.
• These are in-training positions that offer a career path, hands-on learning, and mentorship. These positions allow you to progress upward through the Highway Maintenance Worker series and achieve the goal class of a Highway Maintenance Worker 2. Candidates will be considered for a Highway Maintenance Worker 1 or Highway Maintenance Worker 2, depending on their qualifications. Annual salary levels for each position are:

1. Highway Maintenance Worker 1: $53,958 - $65,412
2. Highway Maintenance Worker 2: $60,858 - $74,106

In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.

This position is subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). For more information, please go to DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing.

WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Why WSDOT

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at [e-mail]. Please be sure to reference Highway Maintenance Worker 2 #A4Days in the subject line.