Highway Maintenance Worker 3
State of Washington
FreshPosted Mar 12
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Posted: March 9, 2026 (4 days ago)
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Highway Maintenance Worker 3 – Lead | Ritzville
State of Washington
Dept. of Transportation
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$61,644 - $75,108
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
March 24, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves leading a team of workers to maintain and repair state highways in Washington, including tasks like fixing roads, clearing drainage, and handling snow removal during emergencies.
You'll operate heavy equipment and ensure safe traffic flow, often working outdoors in all weather and on rotating shifts.
It's a good fit for someone with hands-on experience in construction or maintenance who enjoys physical work and leading small teams.
Key Requirements
- Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) required for operating heavy equipment
- Experience in highway maintenance, repair, and emergency response
- Ability to lead and train a crew of maintenance workers
- Proficiency in using computerized systems for record-keeping and reporting
- Physical fitness for outdoor, labor-intensive work near high-speed traffic
- Availability for rotational shifts, nights, weekends, and emergency call-outs
- Knowledge of safety protocols for traffic control and equipment operation
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 3 Lead to serve as a member of the Eastern Region’s (ER) Maintenance & Operations team.
Under the direction of a Highway Maintenance Supervisor, you will be responsible for operating a wide variety of highway equipment and tools while leading and working alongside a crew of Highway Maintenance Workers to perform skilled maintenance and repair activities on state highways and roadside safety features.
This position will ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and commerce through timely roadway preservation, emergency response, and daily operational support, and may assume supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Highway Maintenance Supervisor.
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 operations.
- 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); 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:
- Roadway Maintenance Experience: Proficient in safety focused use of road maintenance heavy equipment or equivalent relevant experience in logging, farming, or excavation.
- 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 CDL with N endorsement (Air Brake restriction removed).
- A valid CDL Medical card.
- A Washington State Flagging Card or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
- A First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
- 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.
It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:
- Extensive Roadway Maintenance Experience: Proficient knowledge and experience performing roadway maintenance, bridge maintenance/construction, and/or heavy equipment operation.
- Leadership and Team Collaboration: Demonstrated success working effectively within a team providing direction, mentoring, support; effective delegation of work to others.
Important Notes
- This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
- This position is not eligible for remote work.
- This position may be 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, please visit www.uscis.gov
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.
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:
- 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-ER-61200 in the subject line.
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