Garage Operations Assistant - Altoona

State of Iowa • Altoona - 50009 - Polk County, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Department of Transportation is looking for a confident, people-focused leader who brings a safety-first approach and a knack for keeping operations running smoothly. As a Garage Operations Assistant (GOA), you’ll work directly with highway maintenance staff, prioritizing critical tasks that help make Iowa’s roadways safer and further our Mission - Making Lives Better Through Transportation. You’ll build a strong, supported team by embracing our Core Values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception. As part of the garage leadership team, you will oversee a dedicated crew by coordinating and communicating daily maintenance operations in partnership with the Highway Maintenance Supervisor, handling routine administrative tasks using common technology and software, preparing project plans that align with budget and operational requirements, reviewing maintenance records, material inventories, supply logs, and crew reports for accuracy, overseeing traffic control setups to ensure safe and efficient roadway maintenance operations, coordinating snow operations and operating snow-removal equipment, and assisting with grading and paving projects.

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.
• A successful U.S. DOT Clearinghouse query.
• A pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
• 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.
• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency, and experience equal to four years of fulltime work in highway maintenance and equipment operation.
• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency; and Two years of full-time work experience in highway maintenance and equipment operation; and A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part b), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in construction technology/management or engineering equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as a Highway Technician Associate or Equipment Operator Senior.
• 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.
• 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.
• Post offer, pre-employment physical verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.
• Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.
• Employees must respond to emergency situations as required.
• Employees must be able to work up to 16 consecutive hours.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Some overnight travel may be required.
• 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.
• Travel, including overnight travel, may be required for positions in this class.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating and communicating daily maintenance operations in partnership with the Highway Maintenance Supervisor
• Handling routine administrative tasks using common technology and software
• Preparing project plans that align with budget and operational requirements
• Reviewing maintenance records, material inventories, supply logs, and crew reports for accuracy
• Overseeing traffic control setups to ensure safe and efficient roadway maintenance operations
• Coordinating snow operations and operating snow-removal equipment
• Assisting with grading and paving projects

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
• 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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED