Road Maintenance Trainee

Valley County Idaho; Cascade (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERSI retirement

Health coverage

Paid time off

Wellness benefits

Casual workplace

Job summary

The Valley County Road Department is seeking a motivated individual to join the team as a Road Maintenance Trainee. This entry-level, training-focused position offers an ideal path for someone looking to build a long-term career in public works infrastructure, heavy equipment operation, and county road maintenance.

This is a full-time position with full employee benefits, including structured training and opportunities for certification and advancement within the department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Willingness to learn and grow on the job.
• Valid State Driver’s License.
• Ability to obtain Idaho Traffic Control Flagger Certification within six months and a Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Assist with repair and maintenance of county roads, bridges, culverts, and rights-of-way.
• Operate basic hand and power tools such as chainsaws and jackhammers.
• Perform pre- and post-trip inspections and serve as traffic control flagger.
• Assist with snow removal on designated routes and respond to emergency call-outs as needed.

Skills

Willingness to learn

Safety awareness

Mechanical aptitude

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Chainsaws

Jackhammers

Light equipment operation

Job description

Summary

The Valley County Road Department is seeking a motivated individual to join the team as a Road Maintenance Trainee. This entry-level, training-focused position offers an ideal path for someone looking to build a long-term career in public works infrastructure, heavy equipment operation, and county road maintenance.

This is a full-time position with full employee benefits.

Typical Duties & Responsibilities

The Road Maintenance Trainee works under the close supervision and mentorship of experienced staff, performing foundational manual labor while mastering the skills needed to advance to a Road Maintenance Technician 1.

On a day-to-day basis, the Trainee assists with the repair and maintenance of county roads, bridges, culverts, and rights-of-way. Duties include operating basic hand and power tools (such as chainsaws and jackhammers), conducting pre- and post-trip equipment inspections, serving as a traffic control flagger, and operating light equipment like pickup trucks, utility trailers, mowers, and small rollers. During the winter season, the Trainee plays a key role in clearing snow and learning snowplow operations on designated routes, remaining available for emergency call-outs during severe weather events.

Paid Training & Career Pathway

Designed as a structured learning position, the County provides continuous hands-on instruction, safety training, and operational guidance. While a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is not required at the time of hire, the County is committed to investing in its workforce: Trainees who demonstrate strong skill development, safety awareness, and active engagement will receive direct support and assistance to earn their Class A CDL on the job, paving the way for immediate career advancement.

Typical Qualifications

Ideal candidates will possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent—and while prior experience in manual labor, construction, or agriculture is welcome, a strong willingness to learn and grow on the job is far more essential. Applicants must hold a valid State Driver’s License, possess basic mechanical aptitude, and bring a reliable, safety-conscious mindset to a collaborative team environment.

Success in this role requires the ability to obtain an Idaho Traffic Control Flagger Certification within six months and a Class A CDL with Tanker endorsement within one year of hire, supported fully by the County's training program. Additionally, candidates must be flexible and ready to respond during non-standard hours, weekends, and holidays to support winter snow-removal operations and severe weather emergencies.

Benefits That Matter

Valley County is committed to supporting our employees' health, happiness, and peace of mind. We are proud to offer the premier benefits package in the county, featuring:

• Retirement Security: Full membership in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).


• Comprehensive Healthcare: Full Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug coverage through Blue Cross of Idaho.


• Generous Paid Time Off: 176 hours of starting Personal Leave, plus 11 Paid Holidays and Bereavement Leave.


• Financial & Personal Wellness: Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.


• Culture & Environment: A stable career path with advancement opportunities, a casual workplace culture, and the daily satisfaction of serving your community.

Hiring is done without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity and expression, pregnancy, or genetics. In addition, preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.