Highway Maintenance Worker

Overview

Location:

Mission, SD | Transportation | Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly

Salary: $22.74 - $24.25 per hour | Pay Grade: GG

Closing Date: 07/22/2026

Job  
• Agency:
Department of Transportation / Division of Operations
•

Location:

Mission
• Salary: $22.74 - $24.25 per hour, depending on experience
• Pay Grade: GG
• Closing Date: 07/22/2026

This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Highway Maintenance Workers are responsible for keeping state highways safe and drivable for the traveling public, as part of a crew.
• Perform roadway maintenance and roadside activities; install and replace signs, traffic control devices, and pavement markings; maintain and repair guardrail systems; perform structure maintenance and repair; perform winter maintenance; maintain and repair department facilities and properties; perform preventative maintenance and equipment repair.
• Respond to emergencies and other incidents; provide on-the-job training and work direction; provide temporary traffic control around work zones and hazardous sites; maintain documentation; operate and use a variety of equipment and tools.
• Promote a safe work environment and participate in public safety awareness activities.

From approximately May 1 to September 30: 10-hour days, 4 days per week (Monday through Thursday). From approximately October 1 to April 30: 8-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work required, including weekends and holidays during emergencies and inclement weather. Work assignments are outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.

Incumbent is eligible to receive $5.00 per hour winter maintenance premium pay when performing winter maintenance duties during a weekend and/or holiday.

Must have a valid driver license and must obtain a valid commercial driver license (CDL) within 120 days of hire. A Class A CDL with tanker endorsement is required to operate Class A vehicles that are truck-tractors/semi-trailers with manual transmission. The CDL must include an N endorsement (tank vehicle) for specific positions. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.

Applicants may be asked to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence. The incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies; and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification.

• willingness to learn
• self-motivated and determined mindset

• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans)
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

Experience in the operation of heavy equipment/farming or ranching equipment and/or experience in heavy construction is preferred.

• Knowledge of methods, materials, and techniques used to perform road maintenance activities (desirable but not required)
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts (desirable but not required)
• Basic math to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
• Basic computer operation (desirable but not required)

• Ability to use and maintain a variety of hand and power tools
• Ability to operate,…