Highway Maintenance Worker

the South Dakota State Government•Chamberlain, SD

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Transportation is hiring a full-time Highway Maintenance Worker in Chamberlain. The role helps keep state highways safe and drivable for the traveling public and is performed as part of a crew. Duties include roadway and roadside maintenance, sign and traffic-control installation and replacement, pavement marking, guardrail and structure maintenance, winter maintenance, facility and property upkeep, preventive maintenance and equipment repair, emergency response, work-zone traffic control, documentation, and public safety activities. The position may also involve providing on-the-job training and work direction. From approximately May 1 through September 30, the anticipated schedule is four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. From approximately October 1 through April 30, the anticipated schedule is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work is required, including weekends and holidays during emergencies and inclement weather. Work is frequently outdoors in all weather and around highway traffic. The employee must be willing and able to respond to weather events and highway emergencies and report to the home station within 30 minutes of notification under normal driving conditions. A valid driver license is required. The employee must obtain a valid CDL within 120 days of hire to retain employment. A Class A CDL with tanker endorsement and no restrictions is required to operate specified Class A truck-tractor/semi-trailer vehicles with manual transmission; specific positions require an N tank-vehicle endorsement. The employee is subject to pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol testing, and must authorize the Department to obtain a complete driving record. The advertised hourly wage is $22.74–$24.25, depending on experience. A $2,500 hiring incentive is available to eligible applicants; current DOT employees and employees of other state agencies are not eligible, and former DOT employees must have had at least a one-year break in employment. The position is eligible for a $5.00-per-hour winter maintenance premium when performing winter duties on weekends or holidays. The posting estimates total annual compensation for a typical entry-level employee at approximately $67,003, including hourly wages and state and federal benefits.

Requirements

Have a valid driver license.
Obtain a valid commercial driver license (CDL) within 120 days of hire to retain employment.
Have a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement and no restrictions to operate specified Class A truck-tractor/semi-trailer vehicles with manual transmission; specific positions require an N tank-vehicle endorsement.
Be willing and able to report for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies, and reach the home station within 30 minutes of notification under normal driving conditions.
Authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record; applicants living outside South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.
Submit to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow-up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.
Demonstrate a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and a self-motivated and determined mindset.
Use and maintain a variety of hand and power tools.
Drive and operate a manual transmission.
Display ethical conduct; treat customers courteously; work cooperatively; demonstrate effort and commitment; and complete assignments accurately and thoroughly.
Lift 35 pounds routinely, up to 60 pounds occasionally without assistance, and 90 or more pounds infrequently with assistance.
Routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating heavy equipment or farming or ranching equipment, and/or experience in heavy construction.
Knowledge of methods, materials, and techniques used in road maintenance (desirable but not required).
Knowledge of preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts (desirable but not required).
Basic computer operation (desirable but not required).
Ability to operate, maintain, and repair various equipment and attachments (desirable but not required).
A National Career Readiness Certificate may be submitted with the application but is not required.

Responsibilities

Perform roadway and roadside maintenance activities.
Install and replace signs, permanent traffic-control devices, and pavement markings.
Maintain and repair guardrail systems.
Perform structure maintenance and repair activities.
Perform winter maintenance.
Maintain and repair department facilities and properties.
Perform preventive maintenance and equipment repair.
Respond to emergencies and other incidents.
Provide on-the-job training and work direction.
Provide temporary traffic control through and around work zones and emergency or hazardous sites.
Maintain documentation.
Operate and use a variety of equipment and tools.
Promote a safe work environment and participate in public safety awareness activities.

Benefits

$2,500 hiring incentive for eligible applicants.
Health insurance, including a zero-cost premium plan and low- and high-deductible single and family plans.
Well-being program.
Employee assistance program.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Health Savings Account.
Free basic life insurance policy.
Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match; the position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
15 vacation days per year.
14 days of sick leave per year.
12 weeks of paid family leave for birth or adoption of a child, equivalent to 40 hours per week.
15 days of military leave per year.
11 paid holidays.
Longevity pay.
Semimonthly pay periods.
Eligibility for meal per diems.
Paid overtime, if applicable.
$5.00-per-hour winter maintenance premium when performing winter maintenance duties on a weekend or holiday.