Vehicle Service and Recovery Technician (Emergency Response Technician)

Maryland Department of Transportation; Maryland; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Leave benefits

CDL training provided

Job summary

Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is seeking a Vehicle Service and Recovery Technician to support traffic operations along the State Highway System. The role involves operating tow trucks, performing vehicle recoveries, and assisting with incident scene management as part of the SOC/TOCs.

Fieldwork requires outdoor work, rotating shifts, and potential call-backs. New hires may undergo CDL training; probation and licenses are part of the role, with a focus on safety and customer service

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• One year of experience performing emergency highway operations work, including relocating disabled vehicles or coordinating with emergency response departments at crash scenes.

Responsibilities

• Operate medium duty tow trucks to remove disabled and accident vehicles from tunnels, bridges, and roadways.
• Assist in cleaning up hazardous material spills and extinguish basic stage fires using fire extinguishers.
• Operate heavy duty tow trucks and under-reach to remove heavy vehicles from tunnels, bridges, and roadways.
• Perform daily cleaning duties, vehicle inspections, and maintenance; complete related documentation.

Skills

Emergency highway operations

Tow truck operation

Vehicle recovery

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Job description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

INTERVIEW AND HIRE POSITION

(All eligible candidates will be invited to interview based upon standardized MDTA organizational criteria)

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) owns, operates, and maintains eight major toll facilities comprised of four bridges, two tunnels, and two turnpikes, across the State of Maryland. For over 50 years, the MDTA has provided Maryland's citizens and visitors with safe, secure and convenient transportation facilities. We are committed to quality and excellence in customer service, and we rely on our organization's values, traditions and most importantly – our employees to achieve these goals.

Nature of Work

The Vehicle Service and Recovery Technician is responsible for providing efficient traffic operations along the State Highway System. This position manages traffic control at incident scenes and operating motorist information systems, in support of the activities of the Statewide Operations Center (SOC) and Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs). The duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate medium duty tow trucks to remove disabled and accident vehicles from tunnels, bridges, and roadways;
• Assist in cleaning up of hazardous material spills;
• Extinguish basic stage fires using fire extinguishers;
• Operate specialized heavy duty tow trucks and under-reach to remove heavy duty vehicles from tunnels, bridges, and roadways;
• Perform daily cleaning duties, vehicle inspections, and maintenance;
• Complete vehicle recovery related documentation in an accurate and neat manner;
• Interact with customers using MDTA facilities in a professional manner; and
• Perform mechanical repairs on disabled and accidental related vehicles.

This is fieldwork requiring physical exertion and is performed outdoors, on highways and adjacent areas, under all weather conditions. Employees are required to work rotating shifts, to include evenings, nights, and weekends. In the event of emergency highway conditions, employees are subject to call back during scheduled off hours. New hires in this classification serve an initial probationary period of twelve (12) months.

Employees in this position report to the Regional Manager of the Vehicle Recovery Unit or other designated official. The current vacancies are located in Baltimore and Cecil counties. The resulting Eligible List may be used to fill future vacancies within this classification throughout the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) facilities.

MDTA employees are offered a generous benefits package including: a minimum of 11 paid holidays, a minimum of 27 days of leave annually (personal, vacation, and sick), access to the State Pension System, deferred compensation plans, excellent health, dental, and vision plans and more! May be prorated based upon start date.

MDTA employees in this classification will be provided with Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training and all expenses involving acquiring the CDL license are covered! Additionally, new employees hired into this classification that have already obtained their Class A "No Restrictions" CDL will receive a higher starting rate of pay! The Class A CDL must be current with "no restrictions" and valid to receive the higher rate of pay.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of experience performing emergency highway operations work, to include relocating disabled vehicles or directing the relocation of disabled vehicles, making minor repairs to disabled vehicles, or coordinating with emergency response departments to include fire, law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and tow truck operators at crash scenes.

Your placement on an eligible list may be based solely on the contents of your application; therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information. Please include all relevant experience on your application. This includes, but is not limited to, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

If you have held more than one(1) position at the same employer, please list each position that you held and the length of time that you held each position.

NOTE

Candidates may substitute equivalent U.S. Armed Forces military service experience for civilian experience cited above.

1. Employees are required to successfully complete agency training and certification programs to be eligible for permanent status in this classification.
2. Employees in this classification are assigned duties, which require the operation of commercial motor vehicles. These employees are required to possess a Class C Driver's License valid in the State of Maryland. Applicants must list the license class, license number and date of expiration on the application. During the probationary period, the employee will be required to obtain and maintain a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) valid in the State of Maryland, depending on the type of equipment operated that must be maintained for continued employment. This includes obtaining and maintaining a valid US DOT Medical Card (or MVA issued waiver) every two years.
3. During the probationary period, employee will be required to acquire certification as a light-duty tow truck operator.

1. Employees are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.
2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.
3. Employees in these classifications are considered "Essential Employees" and may be required to sign and agree to all policies and procedures relating to "Essential Employee" status.
4. Employees in this safety-sensitive classification may be subject to random and/or post-accident drug/alcohol testing in accordance with State regulations on testing for illegal use of drugs and/or prohibited use of alcohol.
5. Candidates will be subject to pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Transportation Code of Maryland Regulations 11.02.11, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

NOTES

Please be advised that the State of Maryland is dedicated to a drug-free workplace, and as a result, employees are subject to the State's Substance Abuse Policy to include possible drug testing. Selected candidate(s) may be subject to background and reference checks.

The incumbent in this position may be a member of a covered bargaining unit.

The Maryland Transportation Authority is not sponsoring new employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa at this time due to budgetary constraints. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Federal regulations prohibit H-1B Visa candidates from paying sponsorship fees, all sponsorship fees must be assumed by the potential employer.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. MDTA does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation.

MDOT has various careers for people of all experiences, backgrounds, and abilities who come together to contribute to one mission - connecting our customers to life's opportunities. Join us in serving our Maryland residents, visitors, and businesses!

Reasonable Accommodations for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request. Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Please notify in advance. MD Relay Service Number 1-800-735-2258 (TTY Number: 711). Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

Issue Date: 1/20/2026