Highway Maintenance Worker

the South Dakota State Government•Aberdeen, SD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Transportation is hiring a Highway Maintenance Worker to help keep state highways safe and drivable for the traveling public. The position works as part of a crew and involves roadway and roadside maintenance, sign and traffic-control installation and replacement, guardrail and structure maintenance, winter maintenance, facility and property upkeep, equipment maintenance and repair, and emergency response. Duties also include providing work direction and on-the-job training, setting up temporary traffic control, maintaining documentation, operating tools and equipment, promoting a safe work environment, and supporting public safety awareness activities. Work assignments are frequently outdoors in all weather conditions and near highway traffic. The anticipated schedule is 10-hour days, four days per week, Monday through Thursday, approximately May 1 through September 30; and eight-hour days, Monday through Friday, approximately October 1 through April 30. Night and shift work is required, and weekend and holiday hours may be required during emergencies and inclement weather. The worker must be willing and able to respond to inclement weather and highway emergencies and report to the home station within 30 minutes of notification under normal driving conditions. A $5.00-per-hour winter maintenance premium applies when responding to and performing winter maintenance duties on weekends and/or holidays. Applicants must have a valid driver license and 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 endorsement. Employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing. The role also requires authorization for the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. The position is based in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The advertised hourly wage is $22.74–$24.25, depending on experience. The stated total compensation for a typical year for an entry-level worker is approximately $67,003, including hourly wages and state/federal benefits.

Requirements

Have a valid driver license.
Have or obtain a valid CDL within 120 days of hire to retain employment.
Have a Class A CDL with a tanker endorsement and no restrictions to operate specified Class A truck-tractor/semi-trailer vehicles with manual transmission; specific positions require an N endorsement.
Be willing and able to report for inclement weather conditions and highway emergencies and reach the home station within 30 minutes of notification under normal driving conditions.
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.
Demonstrate ethical conduct, courteous customer service, cooperation, commitment to completing assignments, and thorough and accurate work.
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.
Submit to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow-up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating heavy equipment or farming/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; it is not required for consideration.

Responsibilities

Perform roadway maintenance activities.
Perform 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 repairs.
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

Health insurance, including a zero-cost premium plan and low- and high-deductible single and family plans.
Well-being program.
Employee assistance program.
Dental, vision, and health savings account options.
Free basic life insurance policy.
Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with a partial state match; the position is in Class A retirement under SDRS.
15 vacation days per year.
14 sick leave days 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 for qualifying weekend and/or holiday winter maintenance duties.
Veterans' Preference eligibility.