Highway Maintenance Worker 2 | Shuksan

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking dependable Highway Maintenance Worker 2 in Bellingham, WA to support winter highway operations on SR 542 and surrounding mountain routes.

This non-permanent role involves snow/ice removal, plowing, deicing, and maintaining safe travel conditions. The position requires CDL Class A with N endorsement, MUTCD knowledge, and the ability to work nights/rotations.

Qualifications

• Unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsement and valid medical card to operate vehicles in Washington State.
• Experience performing maintenance activities in a related field such as highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, trucking, or heavy equipment.
• Knowledge of MUTCD; ability to plan and implement safe work zones including flagging, signage, and cones/barrels; ability to obtain a Traffic Control/Flagging card within six months of hire.
• Growth mindset and willingness to learn.
• Service-oriented attitude and willingness to take action to meet others' needs.

Responsibilities

• Perform snow and ice control using truck-mounted equipment.
• Operate Class A/B/C highway maintenance equipment, trucks, tools, and vehicles.
• Repair and maintain pavement, drainage, signs, guardrails, and roadside infrastructure.
• Maintain vegetation, erosion control, debris removal, and dangerous tree removal.
• Set up and maintain traffic control, including flagging and lane closures.
• Inspect and repair maintenance equipment, vehicles, and tools.
• Respond to emergencies such as collisions, severe weather, and other incidents; coordinate with partner agencies as needed.
• Provide guidance and on-the-job training when acting in a lead capacity.

Skills

CDL Class A

MUTCD knowledge

Traffic control planning

Safety-minded

Team leadership

Education

Unrestricted Class A CDL with N endorsement

Traffic Control/Flagging card within 6 months

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 mayearn 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.

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.

Contact Us

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