Highway Maintenance Worker - Incident Response

Incident Response
- Highway Maintenance Worker 2

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

WSDOT is currently seeking a dedicated professional to join the Northwest Region Incident Response Team (IRT), playing a vital role in keeping Washington's highways safe, reliable, and moving efficiently. In this position, you will support rapid and effective traffic incident response that enhances public safety, protects fellow responders, and helps restore the transportation system as quickly as possible. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by serving the traveling public and fostering a workplace built on safety, respect, collaboration, and inclusion.

This position works primarily outdoors year-round in all weather conditions, during both day and night shifts, and in environments that include high-speed traffic, bodies of water, confined spaces, elevated heights, and both stationery and moving work platforms. The role requires frequent operation of heavy vehicles and equipment, extended standing and walking, traversing uneven terrain, climbing and moving materials up to 50 pounds, and performing physically demanding tasks that require balance, agility, and manual dexterity.

The position is regularly exposed to hazards common in highway maintenance and incident response environments, including severe weather, loud noise, dust, fumes, exhaust, limited visibility, hazardous chemicals and materials, hot asphalt, and potential exposure to blood borne pathogens and other biological or chemical waste. Strict adherence to safety procedures and the use of personal protective equipment are essential.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, these Incident Response
- Highway Maintenance Worker 2's will:

• Conduct routine patrols, respond to incidents and emergency callouts, and restore safe, efficient traffic flow on state highways.
• Serve as a first responder by assisting disabled motorists, removing roadway hazards and debris, performing minor vehicle repairs, providing First Aid/CPR when needed, and coordinating towing services when necessary.
• Respond to collisions, spills, and other roadway emergencies, coordinating with the Washington State Patrol, Traffic Management Center (TMC), fire agencies, and other emergency responders to support safe, quick incident clearance.
• Establish and maintain emergency traffic control by performing flagging operations, placing traffic control devices, and implementing lane closures, road closures, and detours in accordance with WSDOT procedures and MUTCD standards.
• Monitor roadway conditions, identify safety hazards, infrastructure deficiencies, and pavement damage, and coordinate appropriate maintenance responses for emergency repairs.
• Plan and conduct roving patrols for special events and other anticipated traffic impacts to improve mobility and incident response.
• Operate and maintain required communications systems, prepare daily activity reports, and accurately document incident information using statewide tracking systems (WITS).
• Obtain and maintain required certifications, including Flagging and First Aid/CPR, and perform Incident Response Team (IRT) duties in compliance with WSDOT policies, safety requirements, and operational standards.

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

• Highway Maintenance Expertise: Demonstrated skill in emergency response, debris removal, and emergency roadside operations, including tire changes, fuel assistance, jump starts, and deployment of appropriate traffic control devices.
• Technical Expertise & Field Operations: Working knowledge of roadway maintenance, construction practices, heavy equipment operation, truck driving, traffic control, timber operations, or landscaping.
• Licensing:
  Possession of a valid Washington State Driver License with the ability to operate a state-owned vehicle.
• Traffic Control & Work Zone Operations: Knowledge of traffic control practices in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the ability to safely implement work zones using flagging, signs, cones, and other traffic control devices.
• Safety & Risk Management: Ability to work safely and independently in high-traffic and hazardous environments while applying safety protocols, situational awareness, and emergency response principles.
• Communication & Coordination: Ability to communicate effectively using radio systems, electronic devices, and computer-based tools to coordinate incident response and provide…