Highway Technician Senior - Altoona

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Altoona (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental benefits

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Paid time off

IPERS Retirement

401A plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa Department of Transportation in Altoona, IA is seeking a Highway Technician Senior to lead a field crew, coordinate maintenance, and drive safety on our highways. This role emphasizes safety, leadership, and hands-on involvement in field operations.

The HTS position requires CDL-related credentials, strong teamwork, and a commitment to the department's core values, with competitive benefits and regular on-site duties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent completed.
• Four years of highway maintenance/field experience or education with related coursework.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch with HTS/Construction Tech experience.
• Pre-employment requirements including drug screen, physical, and random testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and complete tasks with the supervisor to drive team success.
• Respond to accidents or urgent repairs and manage snow operations.
• Coordinate and/or manage snow operations and snow equipment.
• Use technology to manage daily office tasks and keep workflows moving.
• Host daily operational meetings and monthly safety huddles with the team.
• Assist with traffic control maintenance and CDL training efforts.

Skills

CDL operations

Team leadership

Emergency response

Field supervision

Education

High school diploma or GED

Education/experience equivalence

Tools

CDL permit

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with endorsements

Job description

Job Description

Are you a team lead who enjoys motivating others by working alongside them and setting a strong example? If you love guiding a crew, building their confidence, supporting them through hands‑on involvement, and you enjoy being out in the field, the Iowa Department of Transportation wants you to join us as a Highway Technician Senior (HTS). The guidance you provide in this role directly contributes to safer highways and our Mission – Making Lives Better Through Transportation. By leading with our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception, you’ll help your team grow, thrive, and deliver high‑impact work.

Key Responsibilities

As a lead worker, you will be leading and completing tasks that may include:

• Partnering with your supervisor to plan, coordinate, and drive team success
  • Responding to emergency situations such as accidents or urgent repairs
  • Coordinating and/or managing snow operations and operating snow equipment
  • Using technology and software to manage daily office tasks and keep workflows moving
  • Hosting daily operational meetings and monthly safety huddles with the team
  • Assisting with traffic control maintenance activities
  • Supporting internal CDL training efforts

Residency

Altoona 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.

Equal Opportunity & Disability Accommodations

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] .

E-Verify and Right to Work

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 four years of fulltime work in highway maintenance, equipment operation, construction inspection, field work in engineering survey, or materials inspection and testing.
• A total of four 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 or Construction Technician.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twenty‑four months of full‑time work as a Highway Technician Associate.

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.
• Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to attend a comprehensive bridge inspection course required by the National Bridge Inspection Standards.
• 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.