Highway Maintenance Worker 2 | Multiple Positions

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Up to 25 vacation days

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is hiring Highway Maintenance Workers in King County. The role involves outdoor, hands-on maintenance of state highways, right-of-ways, and safety features, including the operation of a variety of heavy equipment.

The job requires night/weekend work, on-call duty, and the ability to lift 50 pounds. Base salaries range from $60,802 to $81,806 depending on the level, with additional premiums for King County and assignment pay.

Qualifications

• Outdoor, physically demanding work maintaining highways and right-of-way.
• Ability to operate and maintain a range of heavy equipment.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays; on-call readiness.
• Valid driver’s license; CDL with N endorsement preferred; pesticide applicator license optional.

Responsibilities

• Perform journey-level highway, roadside, infrastructure, and right-of-way maintenance and repair tasks.
• Install, maintain, and repair guardrail, fences, and safety features.
• Operate Class A, B, and C heavy equipment to maintain state roadways.
• Help develop traffic control operations and manage road/bridge closures per MUTCD.
• Conduct snow and ice control operations and supply management.
• Act as incident responder at accidents, spills, or emergencies.

Skills

Outdoor work

Heavy equipment operation

Safety awareness

Teamwork / leadership

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

HATS

WZDB

TSMS

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 currently seeking multiple enthusiastic Highway Maintenance Workers who want to make a difference and join our dynamic Highway Maintenance team throughout various locations in the King County area. This opportunity is perfect for someone who loves working outdoors, doing manual labor, and operating a variety of equipment to complete tasks. As part of our maintenance team, you will assist with repairing and rebuilding state highways, and adjacent right of ways to ensure 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 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 Workerwill:

• Perform journey-level highway, roadside, infrastructure, and right-of-way maintenance and repair tasks.
• Install, maintain, and repair guardrail, fences, impact attenuator concrete barriers and other safety features.
• Operate Class A, B, and/or C heavy equipment to maintain state roadways and highways.
• Help develop and set up traffic control operations, as well as full road or bridge closures according to departmental and Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards.
• Perform snow and ice control operations including maintaining stockpiles, load trucks from stockpiles or pits, pull spreader boxes, haul materials which may include sand, gravel, and other items.
• Acts as an incident responder at accident scenes, spills, or other emergency situations.

Qualifications

• Highway Maintenance: Practical knowledge of highway maintenance practices including pavement repair, drainage systems, erosion control, vegetation management, sign and guardrail installation, and debris removal. Ability to assess maintenance needs and perform repairs to highway structures, roadside features, and landscapes.
• Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating and maintaining a variety of Class A, B, and C highway maintenance equipment, tools, and vehicles in accordance with WSDOT standards. Demonstrated ability to safely transport heavy equipment and materials between job sites.
• Licensing & Certification: Possession of a valid driver’s license. Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with N endorsement. The ability to obtain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License within twelve (12) months of hire. The ability to obtain and maintain valid First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Traffic Control & Work Zone: Working knowledge of traffic control practices following the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Ability to plan and implement safe work zones, including flagging, signage, and use of cones/barrels. The ability to obtain a valid Traffic Control/Flagging card within six (6) months of hire.
• Safety Awareness & Compliance: Strong understanding of workplace safety procedures and commitment to following safety policies, including confined space entry, fall protection, and hazardous material handling. Ability to participate in the creation and implementation of Pre-Activity Safety Plans (PASP) and attend regular safety training.
• Technical & Administrative Proficiency: Skilled in the use of electronic systems for timekeeping, maintenance tracking, inventory management, and cost estimating (e.g., HATS, WZDB, TSMS). Proficient in standard computer applications including Microsoft Office and email communication.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently in the field. Capable of leading a crew in the absence of a Highway Maintenance Worker 3, demonstrating sound decision-making and leadership skills.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the competencies above, the following are also required:

• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and perform emergency callouts/stand-by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Ability to transport, move, and manipulate various types of equipment weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to respond to the assigned duty station with 60 minutes of an afterhours callout.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and work elevated heights, above 25 feet over land or water.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Valid Washington State Traffic Control/Flagging card with experience performing traffic control per MUTCD including planning, setting signs and cones or barrels, and flagging.
• 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% Assignment Pay.
• This is a Highway Maintenance Worker 2 position. However, the hiring manager reserves the right to fill the position at a lower level in the classification series based on candidate qualifications, providing an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. The base salaries for each level are:
  • Highway Maintenance Worker 1: $60,802 – $74,188
  • Highway Maintenance Worker 2: $67,150 – $81,806
• 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 are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• 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.
• PlanFor 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.

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 recruiter listed.

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 .