Highway Maintenance Worker Kelso & Woodland

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 multiple Highway Maintenance Worker 2s to join the Southwest Region maintenance team. Positions are available in both Kelso and Woodland. In these journey-level roles, you will operate a variety of highway maintenance equipment and tools to perform skilled maintenance and repair work on highways and highway structures. Your work will directly support the safe and efficient movement of people and commerce by helping keep transportation infrastructure safe and reliable.

These positions may also provide direction to maintenance crews in the absence of a Highway Maintenance Worker 3 while contributing to a respectful, collaborative, and safety-focused work environment.

The typical schedule is four 10-hour shifts per week. This position requires participation in emergency response, including nights, weekends, holidays, standby, and call-back as needed. Incumbents must be able to report to the assigned duty station within 60 minutes of an after-hours call and respond to emergencies in all weather conditions, working independently or as part of a team.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Worker 2 will:

• Operate state vehicles, including CDL-required vehicles and equipment, to perform highway maintenance activities and transport materials, supplies, and equipment between work locations.
• Maintain and repair highways and highway infrastructure by performing asphalt and concrete repairs, drainage maintenance, erosion control, vegetation management, sign and guardrail repairs, and other roadway preservation activities.
• Construct and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs), remove hazard trees, maintain landscaped areas, and apply pesticides to support roadway safety and environmental compliance.
• Perform snow and ice response activities, maintain stockpile sites, haul materials, and remove litter, debris, and other roadway hazards to keep highways safe for travel.
• Assist with cleaning and maintaining safety rest areas and safely support illegal encampment cleanup efforts while following established safety procedures for hazardous materials and blood borne pathogens.
• Inspect, maintain, and perform minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, hand tools, and maintenance facilities to ensure operational readiness.
• Track, document, and report daily work activities, inventory, highway patrol observations, and completed maintenance tasks.
• Lead and train maintenance crews in the absence of a Highway Maintenance Worker 3 by assigning work, coordinating daily operations, and providing equipment instruction and guidance.

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

• Demonstrated ability to safely operate and maintain highway maintenance equipment, tools, and vehicles appropriate to the work performed. Ability to transport equipment and materials safely while following established procedures.
• 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 cones/barrels.
• Strong understanding of workplace safety procedures and commitment to following safety policies, including confined space entry, fall protection, and hazardous material handling. Ability to participate in the creation and implementation of Pre-Activity Safety Plans (PASP) and attend regular safety training.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently in the field. Capable of leading a crew in the absence of a Highway Maintenance Worker 3, demonstrating sound…