Highway Maintenance Worker 3 - Lead

Full Job Description

About WSDOTThe 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 leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world's longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The OpportunityWSDOT is currently seeking a motivated and hard-working individual to join the Southwest Region Maintenance Crew in Vancouver, WA.

The Highway Maintenance Worker 3 will lead the Region-wide Button Team in the installation of raised and recessed pavement markers along with any required maintenance of highways, bridges and right of ways to improve the safety of the traveling public.

In this role, you will lead an experienced team of Maintenance professionals responsible for performing a variety of daily activities in the performance of maintenance and operations tasks throughout state highways.

This position is critical in fostering a respectful and healthy work environment.

What to ExpectThis position performs work that is often physical in nature and performed primarily outdoors, often next to high-volume, high-speed traffic.

This position requires the ability to respond to emergency situations in all weather conditions; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, alone or a part of a team as needed.

Rotational night shift work is required.

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

• Lead the Region-wide Button Team in the removal and installation of raised pavement markers (RPMs).
• Assist in recruiting staff, training new hires, and supervising staff in the field.
• Plan daily work and assigns duties.
• Oversee traffic control and overall safety.
• Monitor inventory to ensure daily and seasonal schedule is achieved, and issues reports on product used and location of application.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment and vehicles in the field, and coordinate with mechanics on major repairs as needed.
• Coordinate with other agencies and local municipalities on any issues related to the work.
• Help supervisor prioritize and assign work to Highway Maintenance Workers, schedule equipment and materials as needed.
• Lead and perform maintenance activities including but not limited to:
  • Regionwide work zone traffic control.
  • Third party damage repair.
  • Thermos-plastic.
  • Asphalt paving & patching.
  • Drainage maintenance.
  • Bridge maintenance.
  • Concrete surface repair.
  • Rebuilding and reshaping shoulders, ditching, slide removal, and repairing flood damage.
  • Cleaning and replacing culverts, catch basins.
  • Vegetation management, and tree and brush removal.

• Lead crew during winter snow and ice operations.

• Lead region-wide special projects including, but not limited to, region-wide signs and re-torquing of sign bases, attenuator preventative maintenance, delineator replacement, curb painting, bridge washing, guideposts, guide sign preventative maintenance, pavement markings, and recess and rumble strip installation.
• Use computer in the development of the annual maintenance plan including staffing requirements, and to prepare records and reports pertaining to work accomplished and expenditures, reporting of personnel and accident information.
• Steward safety programs by knowing and enforcing the established WSDOT/WAC safety policies and procedures.
• Perform maintenance and minor repair on equipment and hand tools.

Qualifications
Have the ability to report in service to the assigned duty station within 60 minutes of an after-hours call and have the ability and willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays, and perform emergency call-outs/stand-by.

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

• Commercial Driver Licensing & Regulatory Compliance: Possession of CDL Class A with required endorsements and valid medical certification; adherence to all applicable driving and safety regulations.
• Traffic Control Certification & MUTCD Application: Valid flagging certification with demonstrated experience applying MUTCD standards for traffic control setup, signage, and flagging operations.
• Advanced Traffic Control Operations & Highway Safety: Ability to safely implement and manage traffic control on high-speed, multi-lane highways while ensuring worker and public safety.
• Workplace Safety Compliance & Risk Mitigation: Consistent adherence to safety policies, procedures, and best practices to minimize risk and maintain a safe work environment.
• Crew Leadership & Field Decision-Making: Experience leading or supervising crews, providing clear direction, and making sound decisions in high-pressure or rapidly changing conditions.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented: Demonstrates a willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Foundational Education & Basic Skills Proficiency: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent demonstrating essential reading, writing, and math skills required for job performance.
• Highway Maintenance Equipment & Tools Familiarity: Working knowledge of state-owned equipment and common highway maintenance tools, including their safe and effective use in daily operations.
• Geographic Knowledge & Operational Awareness: Knowledge of the surrounding geographic area to support efficient routing, emergency response, and overall operational effectiveness.

*To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the Contact Us section of this posting.

Important Notes

• 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 is subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). 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 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 may 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. This information can 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 recruiter listed.

Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at Sidra.Fields@wsdot.wa.gov. Please be sure to reference 26DOT-SWR-41143 in the subject line.