Highway Maintenance Laborer

Freeborn•Albert Lea, MN

3d•$22

About The Position

The Highway Maintenance Laborer performs a variety of support tasks to maintain Freeborn County roads, facilities, and equipment. The role includes maintaining road rights-of-way, assisting with pavement and road-surface maintenance, servicing highway department property and equipment, supporting sign and engineering staff, providing traffic control, and operating vehicles and machinery. The employee provides backup for plow operators and is required to be on call 24/7 for snow, ice, and other emergencies. Employees may also be called upon to perform a variety of other duties as part of the County team. The position typically involves sitting, standing, walking, crouching, manual dexterity, grasping, talking, driving, lifting, hearing, typing, and seeing. It is generally heavy-duty work, with exertion of up to 50 pounds and intermittent lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and moving of objects over 100 pounds. Chemical exposure may occur. Work takes place in offices, shops, vehicles, and outdoors, with possible exposure to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dust, chemicals, oil, extreme temperatures, intense noise, and travel. Completed applications, cover letters, and resumes are due by 12:00 PM, Friday, November 6, 2026. Minimum starting pay is $21.72.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Some relevant work experience.
Knowledge of the proper and safe operation, servicing, and maintenance of tools and equipment.
Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations regarding equipment operation, particularly on public streets.
Working knowledge of weed and brush control practices and chemical application.
Knowledge of road maintenance procedures.
Familiarity with OSHA and relevant Department of Labor laws and requirements.
Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-form instructions.
Ability to perform typical assignments under moderate supervision and within standard operating procedures.
Ability to perform standard procedures and tasks requiring basic analytical ability, using detailed guidelines and procedures to make decisions or determine actions.
Ability to communicate with supervisors and coworkers with basic responses and courtesy.
Ability to respond to service calls outside the normal work schedule.
Acquisition and maintenance of applicable licenses and certifications depending on position assignments: Minnesota Driver’s License, MSHA Certification, Forklift Certification, and OSHA Training.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including intermittent movement of objects over 100 pounds, with reasonable accommodations available.

Responsibilities

Maintain road rights-of-way by spraying and mowing; record spray operations; operate mowing equipment, including tractors and batwing- and flail-type mowers; and clear brush and vegetation.
Assist with pavement patches and other road-surface maintenance, including crack sealing, rolling, blacktopping, and spot graveling.
Clean and maintain highway department property and the shop, including oil changes, small service jobs, fabrication, housekeeping, and mounting and dismounting plow equipment.
Assist sign department staff with installing, repairing, and replacing signs and mailboxes.
Provide traffic control and flagging for road projects.
Assist engineering staff by collecting load tickets on construction projects.
Load trucks using a loader, backhoe, or skid steer.
Provide backup for plow operators.
Remain on call 24/7 and respond to snow, ice, and other emergencies, including calls outside the normal work schedule.
Attend assigned training, educational, and staff meetings.
Perform other duties as part of the County team.
Comply with departmental and applicable County policies and procedures, maintain cooperative working relationships, keep the immediate supervisor informed of important matters, and represent Freeborn County professionally.