Highway Technician Senior - Altoona

Iowa; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

IPERS retirement

Paid time off and holidays

Optional 401A plan

Job summary

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking a Highway Technician Senior (HTS) in Altoona to lead a field crew, coordinate daily operations, and respond to emergencies to keep Iowa roadways safe and functional.

The role requires CDL permits/endorsements, a pre-employment physical and drug screen, and residency within 45 minutes of the Altoona location, with regular day shifts and on-call duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency with four years of highway maintenance/field experience.
• Possession of valid CDL or ability to obtain CDL with endorsements within five months.
• Pre-employment physical, drug screen, and DOT medical requirements.
• Ability to reside within 45 minutes of the Altoona location.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily field tasks with the supervisor to drive team success.
• Respond to emergencies such as accidents and urgent repairs.
• Coordinate snow operations and operate snow equipment.
• Use technology to manage daily tasks and maintain workflows.
• Lead daily meetings and safety huddles with the team.
• Support traffic control maintenance and CDL training efforts.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CDL permit & endorsements

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)!

By leading with our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception, we’ll help your team grow, thrive, and deliver high-impact work.

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.

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, 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.
2. 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.
3. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Highway Technician or Construction Technician.
4. 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.

• 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.