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.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

Performs a variety of general labor/road maintenance and repair work 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, may oversee inmates assisting with road maintenance.

Lift and carry guardrail components:

• Posts (+/- 50 pounds)
• 12’ Rail (+/- 100 pounds)
• 25’ Rail (+/- 200 pounds - Requires 2 crew members to carry)
• End flap (+/- 25 pounds)

Guardrail jobs often involve the use of a sledge hammer (10 to 16 pounds), pry bars, wrenches and sockets, and almost constant manipulation of components by pushing, pulling, and prying.

Carry and use:

• Chainsaw weighing approximately 25 pounds
• Axe weighing approximately 10 pounds
• Sledgehammer and Wedge weighing approximately 15 pounds

Cutting trees involves rolling or carrying branches and logs which can sometimes weigh from 5 to 100 pounds. Depending upon the severity of the weather, this task can continue for periods of up to twelve (12) hours with limited breaks.

Lift, carry, and use components and tools:

• Fence Posts weighing approximately 5 to 75 pounds
• Wire Rolls weighing approximately 25 to 200 pounds (Requires 2 crew members)
• Pole Drivers weighing approximately 25 to 75 pounds
• Post Hole Diggers weighing approximately 20 pounds
• Steel Bar weighing approximately 25 pounds
• Concrete Bags weighing approximately 40 to 80 pounds

Fence building and repair often requires constant manipulation of components by lifting, pushing, and pulling.

Employees work in conjunction with water truck. Working in and around tiles and confined spaces. Lifting concrete box lids – approximately 100 to 300 pounds (requires 2 or 3 crew members). Pulling hoses against pressure to free obstructions using high pressure hoses (firehose). Requires digging in and around drainage structures with shovel or mattock.

Often involves hand work with shovels to spread salt and sand to areas not accessible by salt trucks; physically shoveling and slinging salt and sand.

Physical manipulation of pitchforks, rakes, and brooms to gather and pick up leaves.

Placement of signs and stands along with use of flags and “Stop & Go” paddles:

• Sign (work zone) weighing approximately 10 pounds
• Stand weighing approximately 20 pounds
• Paddle weighing approximately 3 pounds
• Flag weighing approximately 1 pound
• Cones (if needed) weighing approximately 2 pounds

Flagging requires the flagger be mentally alert at all times and often requires long periods of standing.

Handle weedeater and various other tools:

• Weedeater weighing approximately 12 pounds
• Blower (handheld) weighing approximately 10 pounds
• Broom weighing approximately 3 pounds

Lift and use “walk behind” grinder and saw, as well as, handheld saw:

• Saw (walk behind) weighing approximately 100 pounds
• Grinder (walk behind) weighing approximately 125 pounds
• Saw (handheld) weighing approximately 25 pounds

Saws and grinder (walk behind units) are not physically demanding to operate but have to be lifted in and out of vehicles for transport, usually done by 2 or more crew members.

This position is deemed essential/situational during inclement weather situations and must report to or remain at…