Highway Maintenance Worker 2 | Shuksan

State of Washington; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is hiring Highway Maintenance Workers for the Shuksan facility in Bellingham, WA. The role is a non-permanent, up to six-month assignment focusing on winter highway maintenance along SR 542, with duties including snow/ice removal, plowing, and materials application.

The position requires Class A CDL with N endorsement and MUTCD knowledge, operates heavy equipment, and involves nights/weekends.

Qualifications

• Must possess an unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsement and a valid medical card to operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Experience in highway maintenance or related heavy equipment operation.
• Knowledge of MUTCD traffic control practices and ability to obtain a Flagging card within six months of hire.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and emergency callouts.
• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and to work at heights over 25 feet.

Responsibilities

• Perform snow and ice control using truck-mounted equipment and loads trucks.
• Operate highway maintenance equipment, trucks, tools, and vehicles to complete tasks.
• Repair and maintain pavement, drainage, signs, guardrails, and roadside infrastructure.
• Perform vegetation management, erosion control, debris removal, and danger tree removal.
• Set up and maintain traffic control, including flagging and lane closures.
• Inspect and perform minor repairs on maintenance equipment and vehicles.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with partner agencies as needed.
• Provide lead direction and on-the-job training when serving in a lead capacity.

Education

Class A CDL with N endorsement and medical card

Valid driver's license in Washington State

Traffic Control/Flagging certification (MUTCD knowledge)

Job description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking dependable, safety-minded Highway Maintenance Workers to join our maintenance team in Bellingham, WA, at our Shuksan facility near Milepost 46 on SR 542. These non-permanent positions are expected to last up to six months and offer a unique opportunity to support winter highway maintenance in the heart of the Cascade Mountains. As part of the Shuksan crew, you’ll play a critical role in keeping SR 542 safe and accessible, particularly along the mountain highway extending beyond Glacier to the Mount Baker Ski Area. You’ll help tackle challenging winter conditions by performing snow and ice removal, plowing roadways, applying deicing materials, and maintaining safe travel conditions as weather and road conditions change. This hands‑on work is essential to keeping the highway moving for residents, visitors, and travelers heading to Mount Baker.

If you enjoy working outdoors, operating heavy equipment, tackling challenging conditions, and being part of a team that makes a real difference, this is your opportunity to put your skills to work. Join WSDOT and help keep one of Washington’s scenic mountain highways safe, reliable, and ready for whatever winter brings.

What to Expect

The typical schedule is four 10-hour shifts (40 hours per week), with participation in a rotational night shift. You may work near high-volume, high-speed traffic, stand for extended periods, and navigate rough, steep, or uneven terrain. Some work may occur at heights or over land or water.

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

• Perform snow and ice control, to include application of anti-icing compounds to road surface with truck mounted equipment, loads trucks.
• Operate Class A, B, and C highway maintenance equipment, trucks, tools, and vehicles to complete maintenance and repair activities.
• Repair and maintain asphalt and concrete pavement, drainage systems, signs, guardrails, and other roadside infrastructure.
• Perform roadside maintenance, including vegetation management, erosion control, debris and litter removal, and danger tree removal.
• Set up and maintain traffic control, including flagging, lane closures, and operating attenuator vehicles.
• Inspect, maintain, and perform minor repairs on maintenance equipment, vehicles, and tools.
• Respond to emergencies such as collisions, spills, severe weather, and other incidents, working independently or as part of a team and coordinating with partner agencies when needed.
• Provide work direction, equipment instruction, and on-the-job training to crew members when serving in a lead capacity.

Qualifications

To be considered for the Highway Maintenance Worker 2 level, the following is required:

• Licensing & Certification: Possess an unrestricted Class A CDL with "N" endorsement without air brake restriction & valid medical card to legal operate vehicles in Washington State. Possession an unrestricted valid driver’s license to legally operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Highway Maintenance and Equipment Operation: Experience performing maintenance activities in a related field of work, such as highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, trucking, heavy equipment experience, or other related work experience.
• Traffic Control and Safety Certification: 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.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition, the following are required:

• Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain.
• Ability to work at heights exceeding 25 feet over land or water.
• Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, extended hours, alternate shifts, standby assignments, rotational day and night shifts, and emergency callouts as needed.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Traffic Control Operations: Experience performing traffic control per published highway standards (MUTCD) including planning, setting signs and cones or barrels, and flagging.
• Certifications: Washington State Pesticide Applicator’s License, Backflow Prevention Tester Certification, Crane Certification

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 10% Group C Assignment Pay.
• 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 (FMCSA). 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.
• Plan For Your Future - WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have a 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.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at [e-mail] . Please be sure to reference Highway Maintenance Worker 2 #10537 in the subject line.