Highway Maintenance Worker

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 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 Highway Maintenance Worker 3 to support the safe and efficient operation of the state highway system within the Southwest Region. Under the direction of a Highway Maintenance Supervisor, this position performs skilled highway maintenance work, operates a variety of heavy equipment and tools, and helps maintain highways and highway structures in good working condition. Responsibilities include responding to weather events, emergencies, construction impacts, and other operational needs to help ensure the safe movement of people and commerce throughout the region.

This position also provides leadership and guidance to lower‑level maintenance workers and may occasionally supervise a crew in the absence of a supervisor. The successful candidate will play a key role in fostering a respectful, safety‑focused, and collaborative work environment.

Typical work hours are four 10‑hour shifts per week. This position requires the ability to report to the assigned duty station within 60 minutes of an after‑hours emergency call‑out and may require working alternate shifts, weekends, holidays, standby assignments, and extended hours based on operational needs. The incumbent must be available to respond to emergency situations in all weather conditions, independently or as part of a team, at any time of day or night.

Occasional night work and call‑back assignments may be required.

• Lead and coordinate highway maintenance crews in the daily performance of maintenance and operations activities throughout State Highways.
• Plan, schedule, document, and track maintenance activities, equipment usage, inventory, and project costs using computerized systems and maintenance records.
• Train and support maintenance personnel in equipment operation, safety practices, highway maintenance procedures, and public relations.
• Perform roadway maintenance and repair activities including pavement repair, drainage maintenance, vegetation management, sign and guardrail repair, erosion control, and litter and debris removal.
• Operate and maintain a variety of highway maintenance equipment, tools, and vehicles to support roadway operations and emergency response activities.
• Lead and perform snow and ice operations, including applying anti‑icing materials, hauling maintenance materials, and maintaining stockpile sites.
• Design, set up, and perform traffic control operations for roadway maintenance, emergency response, lane closures, detours, and full road or bridge closures in accordance with departmental and MUTCD standards.
• Respond to emergency situations and support maintenance facility upkeep, equipment maintenance, unlawful dwelling cleanup efforts, and other assigned maintenance and operations activities.

• Highway Maintenance: Practical knowledge of highway maintenance practices, including pavement repair, drainage systems, erosion control, vegetation management, sign and guardrail installation, and debris removal. Ability to assess maintenance needs and perform repairs to highway structures, roadside features, and landscapes.
• Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating and maintaining a variety of Class A, B, and C highway maintenance equipment, tools, and vehicles in accordance with WSDOT standards. Demonstrated ability to safely transport heavy equipment and materials between job sites.
• Traffic Control & Work Zone: Working knowledge of traffic control practices following the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Ability to plan and implement safe work zones, including flagging, signage, and the use of…