Highway Technician Associate - Des Moines North

State-of-Iow; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a Highway Technician Associate in Des Moines, IA. This entry‑level role centers on hands‑on roadside work, safety, and public service, offering skill-building and opportunities to advance within the DOT.

Daily tasks include patching roadways, maintaining guardrails and signage, traffic control for maintenance, litter pickup, snow removal, vegetation management, and equipment servicing.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent.
• CDL permit required upon hire; Class A endorsements within 5 months.

Responsibilities

• Patching roadways and repairing infrastructure.
• Maintaining guardrails, signs, fences, lighting, culverts, and waterways.
• Participating in traffic control during maintenance activities.
• Litter and debris removal.
• Operating snow equipment for snow/ice removal.
• Mowing and vegetation management; spraying as needed.
• Routine maintenance and servicing of DOT equipment and vehicles.

Skills

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

If a variety of hands‑on, outdoor work excites you, and safety guides you, start your career with the Iowa Department of Transportation. As a Highway Technician Associate, you will help contribute to our mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation and our core values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception. You'll build skills and have opportunities to advance across the department, all while making a daily impact for Iowans.

As a Highway Technician Associate, your day‑to‑day work will often be on the roadside and include:

• Patching roadway
• Repairing and maintaining guardrails, signs, fences, lighting, culverts, and waterways
• Participating in traffic control for maintenance activities
• Picking up and disposing of litter and debris
• Operating snow equipment to remove snow, ice, and frost from roadways
• Mowing, cutting brush, weed, and vegetation control, and spraying
• Performing routine maintenance and servicing DOT equipment and vehicles

Residency:

Des Moines North Maintenance Garage - Within five (5) months, employees are required to reside within 45 minutes driving time, during normal conditions, from the assigned work location.

Shift:

7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Hours may vary, and the position is subject to be on call 24 hours a day during emergencies and/or weather conditions. Some overnight travel may be required.

As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits:

• Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance
• Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment, and costs can be reviewed here.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match
• Optional 401A plan with employer contributions.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial).

We encourage you to learn more about the State of Iowa Employee Benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website!

Requirements:

• A CDL permit upon hire.
• Class A and endorsements/restrictions on your CDL within 5 months following your hire date.
• Entry‑level driver Training is available upon hire through the Iowa DOT. The multifaceted training will help meet all state and federal regulations.
• A successful U.S. DOT Clearinghouse query.
• A pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described. Click the video link for a demonstration: OPC Webinar Chapter 4 PCP Demo Test (youtube.com)
• A pre-employment drug screen and will be required to participate in ongoing random drug and alcohol testing programs.
• May be required to obtain pesticide/herbicide certifications or other certifications as needed.

Help make Iowa roadways safe for you, your family, and your friends.

Iowa DOT complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the EEO & ADA Officer at 515-689-1009 or via email at [e-mail].

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency.
2. A total of four years of education and/or full‑time experience, where one year of high school education equals one year of full‑time work in highway maintenance or equipment operation.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.