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Posted: January 27, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Highway Maintenance Worker 3 - Lead

State of Washington

Dept. of Transportation

Fresh

Location

Lead, Washington, 98504

Salary

$61,644 - $75,108

per year

Closes

February 11, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a lead worker who oversees a small team maintaining highways in a specific area of Washington state, handling tasks like repairing roads, clearing drainage, and operating heavy equipment to keep travel safe.

It involves planning daily work, ensuring crew safety, and responding to emergencies like snowstorms or accidents.

A good fit would be someone with hands-on experience in outdoor maintenance, leadership skills, and the ability to work long hours in all weather near busy traffic.

Key Requirements

  • Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for operating heavy equipment like dump trucks, loaders, and plows
  • Experience in highway maintenance, including asphalt/concrete repair, drainage work, and erosion control
  • Ability to lead and supervise a crew of 3-4 workers, including training on safety and equipment use
  • Proficiency in using computerized systems for tracking maintenance activities, records, and reports
  • Physical fitness for outdoor, labor-intensive work in various weather conditions and near high-speed traffic
  • Availability for irregular schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs

Full Job Description



About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence.

Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state.

In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!


The Opportunity

WSDOT is currently seeking a Highway Maintenance Worker Lead to serve as a member of the South Central Region’s (SCR) Maintenance & Operations team.

In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily maintenance work in the Clarkston Maintenance facility in Area 4 of the South-Central region, their personal safety and the safety of other crew members.

Other duties include the maintenance and repair of the roadway, roadside, right of way, and all associated highway safety features which are part of the highway system.

The Highway Maintenance Worker Lead will also supervise three Highway Maintenance Workers, and one Maintenance Mechanic 3.

This position supports the Strategic Plan of WSDOT by providing maintenance necessary for the continued safe and uninhibited travel of the public in the movement of people, goods, and services across the State of Washington.

What to Expect

This position performs work that is often physical in nature and performed primarily outdoors and often next to high-volume, high-speed traffic that may require standing for extended periods of time.

A typical schedule is Monday through Thursday, 40-hours per week, for 4, 10-hour days. Days, nights, weekends and holidays may be required to respond to non-scheduled or call-out emergencies.

Rotational night shift is required.


Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Worker 3 will:

  • Prioritize, plan, schedule, and budget maintenance activities, lead, schedule, and direct highway maintenance activities.
  • Perform asphalt and concrete pavement maintenance and repair; apply concrete, asphalt, and synthetic materials.
  • Perform drainage maintenance including catch basins, sedimentation facilities, and ditches; erosion and slide repair; sign maintenance and repair; and guardrail, fence, and impact attenuator installation and repair.
  • Maintain and submit daily records and reports of maintenance activities; enter all maintenance activities into computerized systems (e.g., Highway Activity Tracking System (HATS), Work Zone Data base (WZDB), Traffic Sign Management System (TSMS, etc.); review computerized records to ensure accuracy.
  • Operate Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and heavy equipment such as dump truck with plow and sander units, front end loaders, truck/trailer combos, sweepers, mowers, and pickups.
  • Train personnel in equipment usage, safety, highway maintenance, and public relations.
  • Lead crew during winter snow and ice operations.
  • Act as traffic control lead on emergency operations and assists crews in setting up and performing traffic control during emergency operations; act as a first responder at accident scenes, spills, or other emergency situations.
  • Utilize personal computer and tablet to maintain accurate records and reports for personnel, equipment, inventory, and materials.
  • Assist in the safe cleanup and removal of unlawful dwellings.


Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

Highway and Roadway Maintenance Expertise

  • Demonstrated experience performing routine and emergency maintenance on highways, roadways, and related infrastructure including pavement repair, drainage systems, erosion control, vegetation management, sign and guardrail installation, and debris removal.
  • Ability to assess maintenance needs and perform repairs to highway structures, roadside features, and landscapes.

Heavy Equipment Operations

  • Skilled in operating and maintaining heavy equipment (e.g. Front-end loaders, tractor mowers, sweepers, flushers, truck-mounted attenuators, backhoe, Vactor, 26,000 -56,000 GVW Dump truck with snowplow and chemical deicer attachments).

Leadership in Adverse Conditions

  • Proven ability to supervise personnel engaged in snow and ice removal operations, ensuring safe and effective performance in adverse weather conditions during both day and nighttime hours.

Safety Awareness & Compliance

  • Strong understanding of workplace safety procedures and commitment to following safety policies, including confined space entry, fall protection, and hazardous material handling.
  • Ability to participate in the creation and implementation of Pre-Activity Safety Plans (PASP) and attend regular safety training.

Technical & Administrative Proficiency

  • Ability to use electronic systems for timekeeping, maintenance tracking, inventory management, and cost estimating.
  • Proficient in standard computer applications including Microsoft Office and email communication.

Growth Mindset

  • Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.

Service-Oriented

  • Takes action to meet the needs of others.


In addition to the competencies above, the following are also required:

  • A valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with N endorsement without airbrakes restriction.
  • A valid CDL Medical card.
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and perform emergency callouts/stand-by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Ability to maneuver and transport various materials and/or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to respond to assigned duty station with 45 minutes of an afterhours callout.
  • Ability to traverse rough, steep, and uneven terrain and work elevated heights, above 25 feet over land or water.
  • Washington State Flagging Card or ability to obtain within six (6) months of appointment.
  • First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of appointment.


It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

Policy and Manual Interpretation & Compliance

  • Ability to interpret, comprehend, and implement the Maintenance Manual.
  • Ability to interpret, comprehend, and implement the Snow and Ice Plan.
  • Ability to interpret, comprehend, and implement the M 54-44 Manual and the MUTCD.

Roadside and Right-of-Way Operations

  • Ability to understand our Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Plan and be able to work along the State highway right-of-way.

Equipment Operation and Field Operations

  • Ability to operate any piece of equipment to support all the above job functions.


In addition to the above preferred competencies, the following is also preferred:

  • Washington State Pesticide Applicator license.


Important Notes

  • This position is not eligible for remote work.
  • This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
  • In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position.

    For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements.

    Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code.

  • This position may be subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). For more information, please go to DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing.
  • WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit, please visit www.uscis.gov


Why WSDOT

  • Work-Life Balance – We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
  • Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
  • Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
  • Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information.


Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?


How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

  • An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
  • An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
  • Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. NOTE: This information may be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.


Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.


WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply.

Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.


Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Robyn.Lovely@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-SCR-50467 in the subject line.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/27/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/28/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5213923