Highway Maintenance Worker (Public Works)

Walworth-County; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety shoe stipend

Job summary

Walworth County seeks a Highway Maintenance Technician to keep highways safe and maintain county equipment, buildings and grounds, including parks, while following departmental safety policies.

Key duties include snow removal, road maintenance, lane closures, and operation of heavy equipment. The role requires a valid Wisconsin CDL and willingness to work overtime, including winters, with a focus on safety and reliable performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2–3 years of relevant prior experience preferred.
• Ability to calculate discounts, percentages and measurements; basic algebra/geometry knowledge.
• Experience operating heavy equipment (trucks, dozers, graders) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Remove snow and de-ice assigned highways.
• Maintain federal interstates, state highways and county roads.
• Operate equipment including forklifts, wheel loaders, rollers and other equipment.
• Seasonal activities including crack filling, shouldering, culvert replacement, concrete repair, and lane closures.
• Work long hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Safe driving

Safety awareness

Reading instructions

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

This position is responsible for maintaining safe travel conditions on assigned highways and maintaining the equipment used. This position also performs maintenance on County equipment, buildings and grounds, including parks while meeting departmental safety policies and procedures.

SCHEDULE

Division: Highway Operations

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00 full-time hourly non-exempt

• Remove snow and de-ice assigned highways.
• Maintain federal interstates, state highways and county roads.
• Install and remove snow fencing.
• Mark curbs and culverts.
• Patrol for down or missing signs.
• Chip seal and crack fill roads.
• Patch holes in pavement.
• Repair shoulders with gravel.
• Clean drainage structures.
• Trim trees and brush from roadsides. Mow shoulder grass and weeds.
• Replace and repair county road signage and support county road marking (painting).
• Remove animals and debris from roadway.
• Report new driveways placed or utility work being conducted on road right-of-way.
• Repair guardrails.
• Operate equipment including forklifts, wheel loaders, rollers and other equipment.
• Conduct preventative maintenance checks and services on a broad range of equipment.
• Maintain and install snowplows, snow wings and sanders.
• Maintain mowing tractors and mowers.
• Seasonal activities including crack filling, shouldering, culvert replacement, blow-up repair, concrete repair, black topping, brine production, flagging traffic and setting up lane closures.
• Work long hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Work overtime as required, including on‑call winter schedule from October 15th through April 15th.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or equivalent competencies, and two to three years of relevant prior experience. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, percentages as well as ability to apply basic algebra and geometry concepts to calculate area, circumference, volume, and /or land measures. Desired experience in operating heavy equipment such as single and tandem axle trucks, front‑end loaders, dozers and motor graders.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations and Other Special Requirements

• Valid Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License - Class A or B required upon hire.
• Employees hired with a Class B CDL are required to obtain a Class A CDL within six (6) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
• Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License - Tanker Endorsement N required within six (6) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
• Good driving record for past 10 years.
• Heavy equipment operator's license preferred.
• Must wear steel toe safety shoes. Employees in this position will receive a $100 annual stipend for the purchase of safety shoes per Walworth County Ordinance Section 15-394.
• A written test may be required for applicants outside this classification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to drive a 41,100# GVW truck with manual transmission.
• Ability to operate a tractor for roadside mowing and to perform other roadside maintenance, as well as maintenance on county equipment, buildings and grounds.
• Knowledge of road construction and maintenance.
• Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances and regulations governing equipment operation.
• Knowledge of driver preventative maintenance of equipment (i.e. truck, tractor, end‑loader, backhoe, grader).
• Knowledge of occupational hazards involved and precautions necessary for safe operation of motor‑driven equipment, including operation over rough, slippery, icy or unstable conditions.
• Ability to understand, remember and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to utilize basic computer skills to document work efforts and complete timecards.

Interactions and Communications

• Responds to others' requests for basic and general information.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are within detailed procedures and protocols and under close supervision. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or work unit within the department and information is provided to others for their decision‑making.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges of this position tend to be routine and primarily related to procedure and process issues.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Vacuum Cleaner Computerized Sander Controls
• Telephone End Loaders
• Calculator Plow Trucks
• Copy Machine Computers for inventory and timecard documentation

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

TO INCLUDE

• Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
• Education & Experience Review
• Verification of Commercial Driver's License
• Oral Department Interview
• Driving Test
• Reference Check
• Background Check
• Post Offer Physical Exam
• Drug Screen

Other job‑related tests may be required.