Highway Maintenance Specialist - Highway - Public Works Division

Under close supervision, performs a variety of duties related to the maintenance of County highways and bridges such as road striping, sign installation, cutting trees, maintenance of right‑of‑way, fencing, traffic control and repair of road beds.

Performs a variety of general labor and road maintenance and repair tasks at various locations throughout the county, including but not limited to sign installation, cutting trees, installation and repair of guardrails, traffic control to ensure work‑zone safety, maintenance of right‑of‑way and fencing, and may oversee inmates assisting with road maintenance.

• Operate heavy equipment such as front‑end loaders, tractors and rollers for loading, hauling and unloading of equipment, materials and supplies.
• Perform vehicle and equipment checks and preventive maintenance; may transfer equipment between work sites.
• Assist with snow removal and ice control; may work during emergency weather conditions and after normal work hours.
• Work around all types of moving equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Lift and carry guardrail components: posts (~50 lbs), 12’ rail (~100 lbs), 25’ rail (~200 lbs – requires two crew members), end flap (~25 lbs).
• Use tools such as sledgehammer (10–16 lbs), pry bars, wrenches and sockets, constantly manipulating components by pushing, pulling and prying.

• Carry and use chainsaw (~25 lbs), axe (~10 lbs), sledgehammer and wedge (~15 lbs).
• Roll or carry branches and logs weighing from 5 to 100 lbs; work may continue up to twelve (12) hours with limited breaks, depending on weather.

• Lift, carry and use fence posts (5–75 lbs), wire rolls (25–200 lbs – requires two crew members), pole drivers (25–75 lbs), post hole diggers (20 lbs), steel bar (25 lbs) and concrete bags (40–80 lbs).
• Constant manipulation of components by lifting, pushing and pulling.

Work in conjunction with water truck; lift concrete box lids (100–300 lbs – requires 2–3 crew members) and use high‑pressure hoses to free obstructions, digging in and around drainage structures with shovel or mattock.

Hand work with shovels to spread salt and sand to areas not accessible by salt trucks; physically shovel and sling salt and sand.

Use pitchforks, rakes and brooms to gather leaves and clean ditches and drainage structures.

• Place sign (work zone) (~10 lbs), stand (~20 lbs), paddles (~3 lbs), flag (~1 lb) and cones (~2 lbs). Flagger must remain mentally alert at all times and often stand for long periods.

• Handle weedeater (~12 lbs), handheld blower (~10 lbs) and broom (~3 lbs).

• Operate walk‑behind grinder and saw (100–125 lbs) and handheld saw (25 lbs). Tools are lifted into and out of vehicles, usually by two or more crew members.

• Knowledge of guidelines and documentation for sign installation, right‑of‑way maintenance, road equipment operation and related tools.
• Knowledge of Hamilton County policies and procedures; relevant Federal, State and County codes and regulations for highway maintenance and workplace and traffic safety.
• Knowledge of County geography, facilities and work sites.
• Skill reading, interpreting, understanding and applying applicable rules and regulations.
• Skill using hand tools and equipment such as shovels, rakes, weed‑eaters, mowers/tractors and road equipment.
• Skill establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with the public, department staff, contractors and other County departments.
• Skill performing basic labor functions (digging, raking, carrying, lifting).
• Skill effectively communicating orally and in writing.
• A valid driver's license is required.

The work requires sustained physical effort, considerable walking and standing, limited sitting and driving. The employee frequently stands, talks and hears; occasionally walks, sits, climbs, balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, and crawls. The employee must lift or move up to 10 lbs regularly and occasionally up to 100…