Highway Maintenance Specialist and Weed Sprayer

COUNTY OF REDWOOD•Lamberton, MN

13d•$26 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

This position will manage and complete the noxious weed, brush, and tree control program, and under general supervision, performs general highway maintenance work and related equipment operation at responsible levels. This position requires the applicant to be able to report to the Redwood County Lamberton Highway Shop within 30 minutes. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Inspect County rights of way for noxious weeds and brush problem areas. Recommends and implements a control plan and program. Complete noxious weed and brush control by applying weed and brush herbicide with County equipment. Must minimize overspray on the adjacent property by ensuring weed spray occurs during peak (low wind) time frames Map herbicide application areas utilizing GPS units and maintain consistent electronic spraying records. Respond to resident and property owner concerns in a tactful manner regarding weed and brush herbicide overspray incidents. Respond to all insurance claims and provides recommendations to the Maintenance Superintendent and County Engineer. Creates County wide ditch mowing and tree removal plans and completes ditch mowing and tree removal with County equipment and personnel. May supervise and oversee contractors performing tree removal. May occasionally assist engineers with technical tasks related to construction projects (inspection, quantity verification, testing assistance, etc.). Serves as a snowplow operator to remove snow and ice from roadways during routine and emergency snow events. Performs blacktop patching, road grading, crack routing, sealing and filling, seal coating, heat lance, snow plowing, ice control (sanding), and other miscellaneous duties on County roads. Drives trucks in picking up materials, applying gravel surfacing, hauling materials to and from project areas, and sometimes requiring long hours behind the wheel. Operates light, medium and heavy equipment, including road grader, required for highway maintenance, repair, and construction with appropriate skill and performance record. Performs routine bridge maintenance and repair. Operates welding equipment. Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and tools. Fabricates tools and equipment for highway maintenance as required. Performs a variety of janitorial and minor building maintenance duties in and around the highway maintenance shops. Maintains responsibility for designated pieces of equipment and tools for service, appearance, and general condition including routine maintenance. May be required to report within 30 minutes of notification by Supervisor in charge during non-work hours for severe weather events. Performs emergency snow plowing operations in very severe weather conditions. Serves as a member of the Redwood County Emergency Services standby staff. Maintains a neat and orderly work area at all times. Operates all equipment in a safe manner at all times, following all approved safety procedures. Maintains an effective working relationship with department employees. Access to Not Public Data The incumbent may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, the incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, the incumbent must properly store the not public data according to the provisions of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13). The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent and must possess a valid CDL, and two years of prior responsible related work experience.
Must maintain a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators License; category A (general ground) and category J (Rights of Way).
Must obtain a tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment.
At least two years of recent related responsible related work experience and/or highway maintenance experience, which includes the following skills and abilities:
Must have knowledge of noxious weeds and weed control chemicals.
Ability to keep detailed records of weed spraying details.
Knowledge of herbicide application technology and have knowledge of herbicides and how they affect the environment.
Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment.
Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, and sort information.
Ability to assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to requests from others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and other employees.
Ability to communicate effectively with the department, other city and township personnel as well as the general public in person, over the phone or two-way radio, and through written correspondence.
Ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information, such as regulations, vehicle maintenance reports, time reports, safety reports/manuals, driver inspection reports, purchase orders, inspection reports, road condition reports, mileage logs, vehicle maintenance manuals, and general operating manuals.
Ability to effectively handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment with constant activity and the pressure of deadlines and must have the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in varying situations.
Applicable working knowledge of highway maintenance operations, related equipment, and related quality requirements.
Applicable working knowledge of the equipment, materials, methods, and practices used in highway maintenance operations.
Ability to effectively and safely perform various highway maintenance activities.
Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with others.

Responsibilities

Inspect County rights of way for noxious weeds and brush problem areas.
Recommends and implements a control plan and program.
Complete noxious weed and brush control by applying weed and brush herbicide with County equipment.
Must minimize overspray on the adjacent property by ensuring weed spray occurs during peak (low wind) time frames
Map herbicide application areas utilizing GPS units and maintain consistent electronic spraying records.
Respond to resident and property owner concerns in a tactful manner regarding weed and brush herbicide overspray incidents.
Respond to all insurance claims and provides recommendations to the Maintenance Superintendent and County Engineer.
Creates County wide ditch mowing and tree removal plans and completes ditch mowing and tree removal with County equipment and personnel.
May supervise and oversee contractors performing tree removal.
May occasionally assist engineers with technical tasks related to construction projects (inspection, quantity verification, testing assistance, etc.).
Serves as a snowplow operator to remove snow and ice from roadways during routine and emergency snow events.
Performs blacktop patching, road grading, crack routing, sealing and filling, seal coating, heat lance, snow plowing, ice control (sanding), and other miscellaneous duties on County roads.
Drives trucks in picking up materials, applying gravel surfacing, hauling materials to and from project areas, and sometimes requiring long hours behind the wheel.
Operates light, medium and heavy equipment, including road grader, required for highway maintenance, repair, and construction with appropriate skill and performance record.
Performs routine bridge maintenance and repair.
Operates welding equipment.
Performs preventive maintenance on equipment and tools.
Fabricates tools and equipment for highway maintenance as required.
Performs a variety of janitorial and minor building maintenance duties in and around the highway maintenance shops.
Maintains responsibility for designated pieces of equipment and tools for service, appearance, and general condition including routine maintenance.
May be required to report within 30 minutes of notification by Supervisor in charge during non-work hours for severe weather events.
Performs emergency snow plowing operations in very severe weather conditions.
Serves as a member of the Redwood County Emergency Services standby staff.
Maintains a neat and orderly work area at all times.
Operates all equipment in a safe manner at all times, following all approved safety procedures.
Maintains an effective working relationship with department employees.