Maintenance Worker, Highway Department

Stearns County MN•Waite Park, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Worker constructs, repairs, and maintains County roadways and bridges. The position operates light and heavy construction and maintenance equipment and motor vehicles, and performs manual labor. Work is performed under the general direction of the Operations Supervisor, with moderate public contact. The primary responsibilities are performed approximately 85% outdoors and 15% indoors. The role involves some exposure to health hazards and accidents and requires moderate to high physical effort. Employees must reside in Minnesota and be able to report to work within 45 minutes if necessary. The regular schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer hours are 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from the week before Memorial Day through Labor Day. The worker must be available for call-outs for seasonal and emergency operations. The hiring rate is $27.93 per hour; the listed rate effective January 1, 2027, is $29.32 per hour. This is a Grade 15, non-exempt position in the AFSCME Highway, Parks and Maintenance Unit. Stearns County’s mission is to provide exceptional public services to assure a safe, healthy, vibrant county for all. Its stated values are Professional, Approachable, Responsive, Collaborative, and Fair & Equitable. The County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the listed protected grounds.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Two years of experience operating highway construction and/or maintenance equipment.
Valid Minnesota Class A CDL without restrictions.
Tanker endorsement, or ability to obtain one within six months of employment.
Ability to report to work within 45 minutes if necessary.
Experience using a personal computer.
Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of a variety of highway construction and maintenance equipment.
Knowledge of equipment operating hazards and related safety precautions.
Skill operating a large tractor mower, front-end loader, single-axle and tandem truck with plow and wing, tractor backhoe, paver, steel roller, dozer, and track excavator.
Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments and service equipment, including a chain saw, concrete saw, jackhammer, brush chipper, and shouldering equipment.
Ability to perform strenuous work involving heavy and repetitive lifting under varying weather conditions.
Ability to interpret engineering plan specifications and survey markings.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Must reside within the state of Minnesota.
Must be available for call-outs for seasonal and emergency operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with snow removal and ice-control operations in a road-system environment.
Experience as a maintenance worker with a County, City, or State office.
Vocational training with experience operating and maintaining light construction and maintenance equipment.
Experience making minor repairs and adjustments to service equipment.
Experience operating trucks, tractors, and other light automotive equipment.

Responsibilities

Operate heavy equipment, including single-axle and tandem trucks, pavers, motor graders, shouldering machines, front-end loaders, skid steers, water trucks, loaders, and street sweepers.
Plow and wing snow and apply ice-control materials to County roads to help maintain safe roadways.
Install and/or repair bridges, culverts, fences, guard rails, and snow fences.
Cut brush and trees with hand and power tools; use shovels to load and distribute fill and patching material; and remove snow on bridges.
Fill and patch cracks in bituminous roadways.
Haul materials, including fill, gravel, and bituminous mix.
Remove debris and dead animals from roadways and ditches.
Perform routine preventive maintenance on equipment and assist with mechanical repairs to keep tools and equipment in safe, proper working condition.
Attend work regularly and on time.
Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
Perform shared employee accountabilities, including carrying out responsibilities consistently with County mission and values, maintaining respectful and collaborative relationships, respecting diversity, learning and following applicable policies and procedures, and complying with safety rules and policies.