Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1/Trainee 2/Highway Maintenance Worker 1 (Region 1 Temporary)

NYS Department of Transportation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,996 - 57,575; Full time

Job summary

A state transportation agency is seeking Highway Maintenance Workers for temporary positions in New York. The role involves emergency response during inclement weather and operating equipment. Candidates must be physically fit and pass a pre-employment drug test. Training opportunities are available, with varied starting salaries depending on position. This is a full-time role with positions available as Trainee 1, Trainee 2, and Highway Maintenance Worker 1, all requiring specific driving licenses and certifications.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years old.
• Pass physical/medical examination and drug test.
• Possess a Class D Driver License or a Class A or B Commercial Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency callouts within 1 hour during inclement weather.
• Perform routine manual tasks requiring physical effort.
• Operate plows during winter operations.

Skills

Physical fitness

Emergency response

Equipment operation

Class A or B CDL

Job description

Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 / Highway Maintenance Worker 1 (Region 1 Temporary)

Join to apply for the Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 / Highway Maintenance Worker 1 (Region 1 Temporary) role at the NYS Department of Transportation.

Pay Range

Base pay: $52,996.00/yr - $57,575.00/yr

Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency callouts within 1 hour during inclement weather, including all snow and ice conditions.
• Perform routine manual tasks requiring medium to heavy physical effort and exposure to all weather conditions.
• Operate plows during winter operations and obtain the equipment certifications listed above.
• Serve a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1

• Must be 18 years old.
• Pass physical/medical examination and drug test*.
• Possess a Class D Driver License.

Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 2

• Must be 18 years old.
• Pass physical/medical examination* and drug test.
• Possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with no airbrake restriction.
• Be able to operate a NYSDOT large dump truck within two weeks of appointment.

Highway Maintenance Worker 1

• Satisfactory completion of the Highway Maintenance Worker Traineeship 2.
• One year of experience in operation of highway construction or maintenance equipment or other vehicles over 26,000 GVR with air brakes.
• Possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with DOT-specified endorsements.
• Hold two NYSDOT equipment operation certifications.
• Hold heavy dump truck, one‑person plowing (single or double wing), and front‑end loader certifications.
• Within the first two weeks of employment, satisfactorily complete NYSDOT Heavy Dump Certification or be terminated.

Additional Comments

Region 1 – Albany, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties.

Starting salary for Trainee 1: $52,996 (base $43,996 + geographic differential $9,000).

Starting salary for Trainee 2: $55,199 (base $46,199 + geographic differential $9,000).

Starting salary for Highway Maintenance Worker 1: $57,575 (base $48,575 + geographic differential $9,000).

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

All candidates must pass a pre‑employment physical/medical examination* and drug test prior to beginning employment. Cannabis use is not permitted and will be tested for; violations may result in disqualification or removal.

• Candidates who meet both of the following MAY be eligible to bypass the pre‑employment physical: A valid CDL A or B AND a current (less than 2 years old) CDL Medical Certificate (form MCSA 5876) that meets specific criteria, discussed at interview.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

In compliance with Public Law 99‑603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. The Department will not sponsor a non‑immigrant for a temporary employment visa (H‑1B or similar), OPT STEM, or permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to non‑immigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F‑1 or similar).

Employment Information

Seniority level: Internship

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Management and Manufacturing (Civil Engineering)