Highway Maintenance Worker / Snowplow Driver

Douglas County • Douglas County Highway Department, WI

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Worker operates motorized equipment used to construct, repair, and maintain County roadways, including trucks, dozers, rollers, graders, excavators, and tri-axle snowplows. Work is performed under the general supervision of a working foreman. CDL training is provided to employees hired without the required license. Employees must complete online training to obtain a CDL permit within three months of hire and obtain a Class A CDL within that period. After licensure and required DOT, FMCSA, and County testing, the employee becomes a Maintenance Worker I. The stated wage is $22.92–$24.73 per hour based on the 2026 salary grade; the posting also states that pay increases from $20.46 to $22.92 per hour once licensure and testing requirements are satisfied.

This is a full-time position based on 40 hours per week. Standard hours are Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. during snow season (November–April) and Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. during summer season (April–November), subject to snow-plowing, emergency, and paving needs. Rotating winter night shifts may be required. The employee must be available for winter evening and weekend callouts, occasional summer weekend work, and weather-related emergencies, with a 30-minute response time required.

The job includes maintaining highway corridors, operating and maintaining equipment and tools, performing snow and ice operations, repairing road and bridge surfaces, maintaining water-control features, directing traffic, and managing roadside vegetation. Work is performed in varied environmental conditions and may involve moving machinery, hazardous materials, noise, and physical activity classified as medium work, including lifting up to 50 pounds regularly and occasionally up to 100 pounds.

Douglas County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of highway maintenance procedures.
• Experience operating heavy equipment.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Obtain a Class A CDL within three months of hire.
• After obtaining a CDL, be able to perform duties listed in the Maintenance Worker I/II Job Description.
• Basic skills operating heavy construction equipment and knowledge of construction means and methods, basic surveying techniques, snow and ice removal operations, traffic control measures, and erosion control practices.
• Ability to operate hand tools safely and efficiently, including hammers, wrenches, chainsaws, saws, sanders, shovels, brooms, and routers.
• Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions related to street and highway maintenance and construction.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity when evaluating information.
• Ability to communicate and interact with individuals from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work in extreme weather and unpleasant conditions.
• Knowledge of and willingness to follow departmental and other applicable safety rules and procedures.
• Ability to take and follow direction and carry out assignments in a timely manner.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate, complete records and reports.
• Ability to work unusual hours for snow plowing and ice clearing and respond on short notice to summer storm cleanup efforts.
• Availability for after-hours and weekend work during rain, snow, ice, or other road-condition events.
• Respond to weather-related emergencies within 30 minutes.
• Pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen and obtain a CDL Federal Medical certificate before status change to Maintenance Worker I.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently perform labor activities required to maintain County highway corridors as directed by the Highway Operations Manager or designated personnel.
• Complete online training to obtain a CDL permit within three months of hire.
• Perform minor repair and maintenance of equipment.
• Be on call and available for winter maintenance and plowing callouts and other forecasted weather emergencies throughout the year.
• Plow, clear, and sand County plow routes.
• Patch and seal defects on road and bridge surfaces.
• Inspect, clean, and maintain culverts and other water-control features, including removing beaver dams and debris.
• Flag and otherwise direct traffic in construction and repair zones.
• Cut, remove, or control roadside vegetation using chainsaws, hand tools, brushers, or other equipment as directed.
• Operate and maintain tools used in normal highway and road maintenance.
• Monitor highways, roads, and rights of way and report problem areas to a supervisor.
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees, DOT and government officials, supervisors, and peers.
• Understand, promote, execute, and adhere to the department’s safety program.
• Accurately document time and attendance, equipment usage, and material usage.
• Report to other portals as instructed by a supervisor.
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• Annual wage increase based on eligibility.
• Paid on-the-job training and advancement opportunities.
• County contribution of 85% toward health and dental premiums.
• Health Savings Account available to employees enrolled in the County medical plan, with annual contributions from the employer and health plan.
• Wisconsin Retirement System participation, with contributions at current-year rates set by the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.
• County-paid life insurance coverage equivalent to annual salary; supplemental, additional, and spousal/dependent life insurance is available at the employee’s expense.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick time, personal days, and holidays.
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.

What This Job Offers

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