Utility Worker

YAMHILL COUNTY; McMinnville (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15 paid holidays

Flexible Earned Time (FET)

PERS - 100% employer funded

Affordable health benefits (PPO/HMO)

Public service student loan forgivess

AFSCME collective bargaining agreement

Job summary

Yamhill County in McMinnville, Oregon, is hiring two regular, full-time Utility Worker positions to operate and maintain light road and bridge equipment. You will drive trucks, mow roadside shoulders, broom intersections, patch pavement, and operate small rollers under supervision.

Qualified applicants will have experience with light maintenance equipment and the ability to work outdoors. The county highlights competitive benefits, a strong retirement plan, and a supportive, family-friendly

Qualifications

• Experience in operation of light road maintenance equipment.
• Ability to perform semi- and skilled manual tasks.
• Possession of valid Oregon CDL preferred.
• Ability to secure and maintain a driver’s license in Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Truck driver - operates a dump truck or vehicle of 36,000 lbs./GVW in hauling materials.
• Roadside mower operator - cuts grass and vegetation on road shoulders.
• Power broom - operates power broom for road cleaning.
• Patch truck - applies asphalt or emulsified oil to pavement.
• Small roller operator - operates rollers on projects.
• Flagger - performs traffic control and signs for maintenance.

Skills

Light road maintenance equipment

Truck driving

Roadside mowing

Power broom operation

Patching pavement

Small roller operation

Flagger duties

Outdoor/manual work

Tools

CDL

Job description

PLEASE NOTE: Salary is dependent on experience. Yamhill County typically hires between steps 1-4

Utility Worker

Yamhill County has two regular, full-time positions for a Utility Worker. As a Utility Worker you will operate and perform routine maintenance on light equipment used in road and bridge maintenance operations, involving skilled manual tasks. Performs related work as required.

Supervision Received

Works under direct supervision of a supervisor or worker of a higher grade who assigns work, observes performance, and instructs in proper methods.

Supervision Exercised

Supervision of other employees is not normally a responsibility of this class. May occasionally direct a few assistants or laborers.

Responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITIONS ASSIGNED TO THIS CLASSIFICATION. DEPENDING ON ASSIGNMENT, THE EMPLOYEE MAY PERFORM A COMBINATION OF SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:

• Truck driver - operates a dump truck or vehicle of 36,000 lbs./GVW in hauling and dumping construction materials.
• Roadside mower operator - Operates power mower to cut grass and vegetation on road shoulders and roadside rights-of-way.
• Power broom - operates power broom for cleaning roads and intersections.
• Patch truck - applies asphalt or emulsified oil products to pavement in patching or paving operations, rakes asphalt during paving and patching operations.
• Small roller operator - operates small vibratory rollers of less than 5 tons on various projects.
• Flagger - performs traffic control and sets out road work signs for maintenance activities.

The Benefits

Yamhill County offers generous employee benefits:

• 15 paid holidays per year.
• 19.5 days of Flexible Earned Time (FET) accrual in the first year (based on an 8-hr day).
• PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) - 100% employer funded contributions.
• Full health benefit offerings with employee premiums starting as low as $89.02/month for PPO and $0 monthly for HMO for 2026 to 2027 plan year. *
• Qualifying employer for public service student loan forgiveness.
• Subject to the AFCSME Collective Bargaining Agreement (7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026).

Our Community

Yamhill County has approximately 109,000 residents and is a very desirable place to live in the heart of the Willamette Valley wine country. Yamhill County is home to Linfield University and Chemeketa Community College in McMinnville and George Fox University and Portland Community College in Newberg. Yamhill County is centrally located in the Willamette Valley, within proximity to the Oregon Coast, the Portland and Salem metropolitan areas, and the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Wide varieties of indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities are available. We have the benefits, appeal and superior quality of life found in a small-town community, while enjoying active social and cultural lifestyles found in larger metropolitan areas.

Required Information

Under the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, any person hired or rehired is required to provide evidence of identity and eligibility for employment. Yamhill County does not offer VISA sponsorships. The County verifies the valid work authorization of each employee using Form I-9 and the E-Verify Program.

Yamhill County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and values diversity.

Applicants are considered for employment based on their qualifications without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other factor prohibited by law or regulation.

Accommodation Under The Americans With Disabilities Act

Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at [e-mail].

Veterans’ Preference

Under Oregon law ORS 408.225-408.238, veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a position may be eligible for hiring preference. If you think you may qualify, please complete and attach all the following.

• Veteran’s Hiring Preference (Veterans Preference Hiring Form-PDF)
• Supporting Documentation- (Refer to VA Preference form for list)

If you need assistance with completing an application for employment or with obtaining a Veteran’s Hiring Preference Form, please contact Human Resources at 503-474-4901 or via email at [e-mail].

Status of Your Application

Please note that Yamhill County communicates with all candidates via e-mail. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from e-mail notifications from NEOGOV, it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.

Knowledge Of

• Operation and maintenance of light motorized equipment.
• Methods and materials used in road and bridge repair and maintenance.

Skill In

• Operating equipment safely under varying conditions.
• Maintaining light motorized equipment.
• Following oral and written instructions.

Ability To

• Operate equipment safely and under adverse conditions.
• Perform manual work outdoors.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Follow company safety procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Report hazards and unsafe behaviors.
• Attend work as scheduled and/or required.

Minimum Experience And Training/Other Requirements

Experience in operation of light road maintenance equipment such as trucks, mowing machines, light rollers, etc., and experience in performing semi- and skilled manual tasks is required. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures ability to perform the work may substitute for the above.

Possession of valid Oregon CDL preferred.

Other Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a driver’s license valid in the state of Oregon. Will be required to drive a county vehicle. Employees authorized to operate a private vehicle on County business are required to carry a valid driver’s license and liability insurance minimums as outlined in ORS 806.070.

May be subject to successful completion of a background check as well as a pre-employment physical and hearing test.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The incumbent typically works in a building and in outdoor areas and uses mechanical equipment as needed to perform duties. Some areas may be exposed to loud noise and require the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hearing protection. Weather conditions may vary. The employee may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday.

The employee is regularly required to talk, listen, and hear, frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle, or feel, and to sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, regularly push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally push, pull and lift up to 60 pounds. The incumbent will regularly use mechanical equipment typical of those used in the maintenance of buildings and landscape.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.

The job specification requirements stated are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may substitute for the above so that the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

Health Coverage

Group medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage is available for the entire family. For the 2025-2026 plan year, the County will pay 97% of the monthly premium and employees will pay 3% ($89.02 per month) for the PPO Base Plan. With this plan, employees are eligible for a $125 a month contribution into an HRA VEBA account. Buy-up plans are also available. The employee premium for the HMO plan is $0.00, with the HMO plan employees are not eligible for the HRA Veba Account.

Retirement

PERS (Public Employee Retirement System) contribution is 100% employer funded, which includes both contribution to PERS pension and IAP accounts (IAP contribution is 6% of salary).

Short-Term Disability

100% County paid.

Life insurance

$10,000 for employee/$2,000 for spouse and children – 100% County Paid.

Vacation/Sick Leave

Flexible Earned Time (FET) is a combination of vacation and sick leave. To start, employees earn 13 hours per month and future accruals increase based on years of service. After a year of service and depending on FET balance, employees may sell-back up to 40 hours of FET per year.