Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1/Trainee 2/Highway Maintenance Worker 1, Region 3 (Cayuga C[...]

NYS Department of Transportation; Town of Waterloo (NY); On-site; USD 48,855 - 58,743; Full time

Job summary

A state transportation agency is seeking Highway Maintenance Workers to perform essential tasks, including emergency callouts in inclement weather and operation of heavy equipment. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and possess valid driver's licenses. The role demands physical stamina for manual labor and passing specific examinations. This position focuses on maintaining highways in Cayuga County and ensuring public safety during adverse conditions.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency callouts within an hour during adverse weather.
• Perform routine manual tasks involving heavy physical effort.
• Operate snow plows during winter operations.

Skills

Ability to operate heavy equipment

Physical stamina for manual labor

Education

Highway Maintenance Worker Traineeship or equivalent experience

Tools

Commercial Driver License Class A or B

Job description

Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1 / Trainee 2 / Highway Maintenance Worker 1 – Region 3 (Cayuga County)

Join the New York State Department of Transportation in the role of Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 1, Trainee 2, or Highway Maintenance Worker 1 for Region 3 located in Cayuga County.

Pay and Pay Range

Base salary: $48,855.00 – $58,743.00 per year.

These rates reflect the full range for these graded positions. The actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency callouts within 1 hour during inclement weather, including snow and ice conditions.
• Perform routine manual tasks requiring medium to heavy physical effort, exposed to all weather conditions.
• Operate plows during winter operations and obtain required equipment certifications.
• 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 a physical/medical examination and drug test.
• Possess a Class D Driver License.

Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee 2:

• Must be 18 years old.
• Pass a physical/medical examination and drug test.
• Possess a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with no air‑brake restriction.
• Must demonstrate ability to operate a NYSDOT large dump truck within two weeks of appointment; failure to pass results in termination.

Highway Maintenance Worker 1:

• Satisfactory completion of the Highway Maintenance Worker Traineeship 2 or one year of experience in operation of highway construction or maintenance equipment, or other vehicles with GVWR ≥ 26,000 lbs and air brakes.
• Possession of a Class A or B Commercial Driver License with DOT‑specified endorsements.
• Two NYSDOT equipment operation certifications.
• Three specific certifications: heavy dump truck, single or double‑wing plow, front‑end loader.
• Within the first two weeks of employment, must satisfactorily complete NYSDOT Heavy Dump Certification, or employment will be terminated.

Additional Requirements

• All candidates must pass a pre‑employment physical/medical examination and drug test prior to beginning employment.
• Cannabis use is not permitted for this title and assignment; testing will occur during pre‑employment screening and may be grounds for 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 specified criteria.

Basic Information

Region 3, Transportation Maintenance, Cayuga County.

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

Equal Opportunity Employment

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 proving citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. NYS Department of Transportation does not sponsor non‑immigrants for temporary or permanent employment visas.