Highway Technician - Atlantic

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Atlantic (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible spending

Life insurance

IPERS retirement

Optional 401A plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a Highway Technician to inspect construction projects in the summer and assist maintenance garages with snow removal operations in the winter. This role supports safer roadways through material inspection, record-keeping, and coordination with contractors.

Responsibilities include operating snow equipment, maintaining DOT assets, and ensuring compliance with quality standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of highway maintenance, equipment operation, construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials testing education/experience.
• Continuity in state executive branch with 18 months as Highway Technician Associate or Construction Technician Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine sampling, inspection, and testing of materials used in highway construction.
• Maintain construction records.
• Inform contractors and project inspectors of quality issues and/or non-complying work.
• Operate snow equipment to remove snow, ice, and frost from roadways.
• Perform routine maintenance and servicing of DOT equipment and vehicles.
• Repair and maintain guardrails, signs, fences, and lighting.

Skills

CDL permit

Tech literacy

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years of highway maintenance/related experience or education

18 months experience as Highway Technician Associate/Construction Technician Assistant (in state exec branch)

Job description

Job Description

Are you interested in roadway construction and maintenance? The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a Highway Technician to inspect construction projects in the summer and assist maintenance garages with snow removal operations in the winter. This position offers you the opportunity to grow and support multiple areas while being a part of one cohesive team working toward the same goal.

From construction zones to maintenance operations, and from office work to outdoor tasks, you’ll contribute to safer roadways by:

• Conducting routine sampling, inspection, and testing of materials used in highway construction
• Maintaining construction records
• Informing contractors and project inspectors of construction quality issues and/or non-complying work
• Operating snow equipment to remove snow, ice, and frost from roadways
• Performing routine maintenance and servicing DOT equipment and vehicles
• Repairing and maintaining guardrails, signs, fences, and lighting

Success in this position requires being comfortable using technology and software, switching between multiple applications, and completing high - volume typing tasks across different digital platforms and devices.

The responsibilities of this position help fulfill our Mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation through your dedication to our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception, alongside your teammates.

Residency: Atlantic 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.

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.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the affirmative action & equal employment opportunity (AA/EEO) officer at [e-mail].

Reasonable accommodation such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc. This does not include scheduling needs.

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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency, and experience equal to two years of full‑time work in highway maintenance, equipment operation, construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials inspection and testing.
• A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of post‑high‑school education in highway maintenance, equipment operation, construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials inspection and testing equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Highway Technician Associate or Construction Technician Assistant.

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

Additional Qualification Requirements

• 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.