Highway Maintenance Specialist - Full-time

POSITION SUMMARY: 
This position performs a variety of highway construction and maintenance work to keep the roadways and roadsides safe and in good repair according to standards; operates and transports heavy equipment and performs related work as required. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• The duties and responsibilities assigned may vary depending upon the experience of the incumbent.
• Safely operates assigned trucks, heavy construction equipment, machinery and tools for highway and bridge construction and maintenance, construction and maintenance materials handling, and sand and gravel operations.
• Ensures all activities are carried out in a safe manner; adheres to all County safety regulations; assists co-workers in the safe handling of equipment; ensures equipment is safely operated and driving laws are obeyed; ensures all regulations pertaining to the safe use of equipment are understood and followed.
• Reports all accidents to the appropriate authority.  Follows all policies for reporting, investigating, and follow-up of equipment incidents, or personal injuries. 
• Communicates with other operators to coordinate materials handling and delivery safely.
• Performs necessary maintenance and preventative maintenance to assigned machinery and equipment as directed.
• Responds to weather situations including snow and ice events, high water, washouts, and others as directed.
• Responds to unforeseen emergency situations including cargo spills, traffic accidents, blocked roads, pavement buckles, and others as directed.
• Performs general highway maintenance and related activities including snow and ice removal, temporary and permanent asphalt surface repairs, patching holes, sawing pavement, concrete repairs, sign repairs, clearing brush, hauling materials, flagging traffic, roadway vegetation control, sweeping intersections, routering and sealing road cracks, culvert and drainage work, removing dead animals and trash and buildings and facilities maintenance repairs.
• Measures and places grade and alignment stakes using tapes, measuring devices and construction grade levels.
• Records and makes reports for production, plant, inventory, state, federal and other types of reports and/or record keeping requirements.
• Operates loader and equipment for stock piling of road salt, sand, gravel, and other materials.
• Ensures all materials, vehicle and equipment are secured and are used in a safe and proper manner whether at job site or on Highway property.
• Performs daily safety and maintenance checks, and preventive maintenance on highway equipment, including greasing, changing oil, performing regular thorough cleaning, and minor repairs.
• Performs snow and ice removal during winter months.
• Assists higher skilled craftsmen as a trainee or helper.
• Cleans and maintains equipment and storage area.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES   
This section details the essential competencies required to perform the job effectively, including a mix of technical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attributes.  

• Knowledge of roadway construction and maintenance operations.
• Knowledge of construction materials, such as concrete, bituminous, and fine/course aggregate; nature of asphalt paving mixes with ability to judge mixes and adjust the paver flow accordingly.
• Knowledge of laws relating to heights, widths, and tie-down of cargo.
• Knowledge of traffic safety principles.
• Knowledge of safe operations of heavy-duty trucks and equipment.
• Knowledge in highway and construction zone signing activities.
• Knowledge of basic mechanical and electrical equipment maintenance procedures.
• Ability and skill to drive and operate mobile equipment in a safe and proper manner.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of assigned equipment and machinery.
• Knowledge of Digger's Hotline, utility markings and clearances and rules for safe equipment operation in close proximity to underground and overhead utility facilities.
• Knowledge of construction industry safety rules and ability to utilize all Personal Protective Equipment necessary.
• Knowledge of legal load limits for assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to operate assigned machinery and equipment skillfully and safely in close proximity to vehicular traffic, grade and alignment stakes, slopes, trucks, other construction equipment, laborers and utilities.
• Ability to read and understand grade and alignment stakes set by others.
• Ability to safely load, unload, and transport equipment to and from job sites.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision; take responsibility for quality and timeliness of work; respond to unplanned requests; complete assigned tasks and report progress; demonstrate behavior consistent with Department direction.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when dealing with the public.
• Ability to take control of situations in a responsible manner.
• Ability to work as a member of a team. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS  
This section outlines the communication abilities necessary for effective performance. These skills reflect the need to interact with the public, colleagues, and other stakeholders in a clear, professional, and effective manner.   

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from complex documents such as laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and reports.
• Ability to engage with the public, handle inquiries, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships with a diverse population.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations. 
• Ability to apply practical math skills related to measurements, materials handling, and equipment operation. 
• Ability to accurately record and verify numerical information related to work activities and reporting requirements. 

REASONING ABILITY 
This section outlines the cognitive skills required to perform the job effectively.  This includes the ability to apply logic, make decisions, solve problems, and understand complex information.  

• Ability to identify and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to make decisions that are sound, well-informed, and timely, even in stressful situations.
• Ability to analyze situations, consider various perspectives, and make recommendations or decisions based on logical reasoning.
• Ability to assess situations, anticipate potential issues, and make decisions that minimize risk.
• Ability to interpret complex information, recognize patterns, and understand the implications of actions or decisions.
• Ability to think conceptually and understand the relationships between ideas that are not immediately obvious.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75 pounds of force; requires strenuous manual labor including, but not limited to digging, shoveling, sweeping, raking, hauling, crawling, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, twisting, and climbing.
• Work performed may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting for long periods with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.
• Sufficient vision to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, or working with detailed data. 
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels for tasks such as communicating with the public, colleagues, or over the phone. 
• Duties are performed daily both in and outdoors under all weather conditions and include exposure to inclement weather, noise, heavy traffic conditions, and exhaust fumes.
• This position requires the ability to render aid in compliance with the County's Bloodborne Pathogens Program, ensuring proper safety protocols are followed. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• Work is in outside weather conditions.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and ability to work flexible hours to include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays due to adverse weather conditions, construction projects, or other emergency service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

• High School Diploma/equivalent.
• Three (3) years' experience in the operation of large trucks and equipment in construction and maintenance activities.  May require additional experience on specific/identified pieces of specialist equipment.
• Class B CDL required; Class A CDL preferred. Must obtain H and N endorsement within six (6) months from date of hire.
• MSHA Certification may be required upon hire based upon assignment of equipment.  
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of the following pre-employment drug test.