Maintenance Aide I

Arkansas-Department-of-Transportation-2; McGehee (AR); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Department of Transportation is seeking a Maintenance Aide I to operate a single-axle dump truck and heavy equipment for highway maintenance. You will perform mowing, landscaping and sign/cone setup across roadways.

The role requires reading, writing and speaking English, with preference for those who have truck or heavy equipment experience. A CDL is required with timelines for certification, and a pre-employment drug/alcohol test will be conducted.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write and speak English sufficiently to converse with the public and understand reports.
• Experience operating a truck, tractor or heavy equipment preferred.
• Must pass the CDL written portion within 90 days and driving portion within 180 days of hire.
• Pre-employment drug/alcohol test is required.

Responsibilities

• Operate a single-axle truck and/or tractor with mowing apparatus.
• Mow, landscape and perform road maintenance on highway right-of-ways.
• Load, unload and stack materials such as salt, sand, cement, or chemicals.
• Assist with setting up and removing signs and cones for work zones.
• Respond to emergencies 24/7 and perform snow/ice removal as needed.
• Perform regular servicing and preventative maintenance on equipment.

Skills

English proficiency

Basic math

Physical stamina

Safety conscious

Tools

Shovels & rakes

Power tools

Dump trucks

Chainsaws

Job description

Description

Posting closes on 9/28/2026

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for operating a single axle truck and/or operating a tractor and attached mowing apparatus, and performing various road maintenance functions.

Examples of Work

The following examples are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. No attempt is made to be exhaustive. Related, similar, or other logical duties are performed as assigned. The Department may require employees to perform functions beyond those contained in job descriptions. The Department may modify job descriptions based on Department needs. The Arkansas Department of Transportation is an "at will" employer.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintain control of grass and weeds by mowing using large tractors and gang mowers frequently.
• Perform landscape maintenance and tree cutting on the highway right-of-ways and at facilities using industrial weed-eaters, brush hooks, chainsaws, pole saws, limb saws and other small power equipment frequently.
• Operate single-axle dump truck hauling highway construction or maintenance materials frequently.
• Use power equipment as well as small hand tools (such as shovels and rakes) frequently to make repairs to highways.
• Load, unload, and stack bags of salt, sand, cement, chemicals, etc. frequently.
• Pick up litter (including large tires, dead animals, garbage, etc.) frequently.
• Flag traffic frequently.
• Assist crewmembers in setting up, moving and taking down signs and cones for work zones.
• Respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week (such as natural disasters, severe weather, traffic accidents, etc.) occasionally.
• Work during ice and snow removal operations occasionally.

Secondary Job Functions

• Perform regular servicing and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment.

Education and Experience: Ability to read, write and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language and to make entries on reports and records. Experience operating a truck, tractor or heavy equipment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to learn local street and highway names/numbers. Basic math and computer skills. Ability to follow oral instructions. Ability to learn and safely perform the operation of a single-axle truck, tractor and heavy equipment. Ability to learn and work with simple hand tools and small power equipment.

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to climb up and down hills and grades as well as in and out of vehicles and equipment. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions: Ability to perform assigned duties in all types of weather as well as other work conditions, e.g. noise, dust and fumes.

Licenses, Registrations and Certifications: Valid driver’s license required.

Valid driver’s license. Applicants for this position must pass the written portion of the exam for a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) with tanker (“N”) endorsement within the first 90 calendar days of hire and the driving portion within 180 calendar days of hire. Failure to pass the written portion of the CDL exam within the 90-day period will result in demotion to the General Laborer job title with a reduction in salary. Subsequently, if the written portion is then passed, employee will be reinstated to the Maintenance Aide I title and pay rate. Failure to obtain the required CDL certification within the 180-day period may result in immediate termination or permanent demotion to the General Laborer title (demotion would depend on the availability of full-time work that does not require a CDL). Successful applicants must meet the physical and mental requirements for a CDL.

A pre-employment drug/alcohol test will be conducted after a contingent offer of employment or transfer has been made, and prior to the candidate performing any work for the Department in that capacity. Internal applicants who are already in a safety-sensitive position will not be subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing; however, offers to internal applicants who are not in a safety-sensitive position will be contingent upon pre-employment drug/alcohol testing. Subject to additional drug/alcohol testing according to the provisions of the ARDOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

This position does not require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge or a bachelor’s degree or higher in the field; thus,this position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.