Maintenance Specialist – Signs

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!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Maintenance Specialist 3 to join the Olympic Region (OR) Maintenance & Operations Organization. Under the direction of a Highway Maintenance Supervisor, the Maintenance Specialist 3 is the senior specialist responsible for the maintenance, repair, and installation of highway signage for the OR Area 2 Sign Crew. This position may lead journey-level Maintenance Specialists and train entry and journey-level Highway Maintenance Workers to assist in the maintenance, repair, and installation of highway signage.

Additionally, this position is expected to perform a variety of skilled maintenance tasks throughout assigned highways and roadways. The safety of the public and fellow employees is a top priority and must be considered in every decision and activity.

This position contributes to the agency’s strategic plan by ensuring, through adherence to WSDOT policies, that work functions performed are administered to the expected quality, safety, and stewardship standards to support Washington’s long‑term resilience. This position is expected to contribute to a workplace that fosters a culture of respect, equal opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

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

• Prioritize, plan, schedule, and budget sign maintenance activities to accomplish the work.
• Read and interpret plans, blueprints, and sketches.
• Lead, schedule, and direct highway sign maintenance activities
• Assemble, install, and replace signs, sign components, and signposts, using a variety of equipment and tools such as hand diggers, portable power augers, pavement breakers, ladder trucks and hydraulic boom trucks with attached auger; this includes installation of overhead signs.
• Asphalt and concrete pavement maintenance and repair utilizing trucks, rollers, mechanical sweepers, and hand tools; apply concrete, asphalt, and synthetic materials.
• Lead and perform snow and ice control, to include application of anti‑icing compounds to road surface with truck mounted equipment, load trucks from stockpiles or pits.
• Assist with traffic control on emergency operations and assists crews in setting up and performing traffic control during emergency operations.
• Assist in the safe cleanup and removal of unlawful dwellings.

The standard schedule is 4, 10‑hour shifts, Monday through Friday; weekends and holidays may be required to respond to non‑scheduled call‑out emergencies. May require working long hours, including nights.

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

• Highway Sign Installation & Maintenance
  
  Experience:
  
  Experience and/or demonstrated skills to install, fabricate, and maintain highway signs and sign structures, including ground‑mounted and overhead signs. Proven ability to operate hand tools, power tools, and specialized equipment to set posts, pour concrete foundations, mount sign panels, and apply roadway markings.
• Sign Maintenance Planning and Leadership: Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, and budget highway sign maintenance activities to ensure timely completion of work; lead and direct sign maintenance operations on state highways; train and support staff to perform sign maintenance and operational tasks to maintain continuity during absences; and manage multiple assignments effectively in a dynamic work environment.
• Highway Maintenance Knowledge: Knowledge of highway maintenance practices, including pavement repair, drainage systems, erosion control, vegetation…