Highway Technician Associate - Waterloo

State of Iowa; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits from first month

IPERS retirement plan

Paid time off from start

9 paid holidays per year

401A with employer contributions

Employee discount programs

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Transportation invites applications for a Highway Technician Associate in Waterloo. This entry‑level role focuses on roadside maintenance, patching roadways, and keeping signs, guardrails, and drainage in good condition.

You will work with a safety‑driven team and have opportunities to advance within the department. Daily tasks include field maintenance, traffic control during operations, and equipment servicing.

Qualifications

• Contract requires a CDL permit upon hire and eventual endorsements.
• Successful pre-employment physical and drug screening are required.
• May need pesticide/herbicide certifications as needed.

Responsibilities

• Patch roadways and repair/maintain guardrails, signs, fences, lighting, culverts, and waterways.
• Assist with traffic control during maintenance activities.
• Pick up and dispose of litter and debris.
• Operate snow equipment to clear snow, ice, and frost from roadways.
• Mow and manage vegetation; spray where required.
• Perform routine maintenance and servicing of DOT equipment and vehicles.

Skills

CDL permit upon hire

Endorsements within 5 months

Pre-employment physical

Drug screen & random testing

Herbicide certification potential

Education

High school diploma or GED

4 years education and/or full-time highway maintenance experience

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

Waterloo 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.

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.
• 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.

Entry-level driver Training is available upon hire through the Iowa DOT. The multifaceted training will help meet all state and federal regulations.

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.

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.

• Positions in this class require possession of a valid Commercial Learner’s Permit upon hire. Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, a valid Commercial Driver’s License with the required endorsements and applicable restrictions must be obtained and subsequently maintained to continue employment.
• In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 40 and 382), this job requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer’s random drug and alcohol testing program and will be subject to the regulations regarding the Federal drug and alcohol testing program.
• Prior to starting employment, all persons are required to have a post offer, pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
• Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain and maintain Herbicide Applicator certification from the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
• Positions require certification for testing materials and operating specialized equipment as required by the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Technical Training and Certification Program for Highway Materials and Construction; and/or other certifications as required.
• Travel, including overnight travel, may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority, employees in designated positions are required to reside within a defined driving time, during normal conditions, from the assigned work location.
• Employees must respond to emergency situations as required.
• Employees must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.