Highway Worker I-II

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible; additional compensation to include annual work boot allowance); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; summer hours 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. / winter hours 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; full-benefits

This position performs routine and basic work in the maintenance of County roads, highways, bridges, and related infrastructure. Work involves assisting higher-level staff with standard maintenance activities, operating vehicles and equipment under close supervision, and performing tasks such as vegetation removal, debris cleanup, sign replacement, and basic roadway repairs. Employees in this classification receive detailed instructions, follow established procedures, and complete assignments that are closely reviewed for accuracy, safety, and compliance. This position does not direct the work of others and serves as an entry-level contributor within the highway maintenance team. 

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.   For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.  If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.  

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan 
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Under close supervision, operate a variety of vehicles and equipment such as one ton, bucket trucks, herbicide spray trucks, street sweepers, roadside mowers, boom mower tractors, rollers, rubber tire loaders, back hoes, skid loader and/or similar equipment 
• Repair and maintain basic pothole patching, skin patching, , spot paving, grinding, trench paving, asphalt and concrete application, etc.
• Repair and maintain basic road stormwater drainage such as culvert replacement, roadside mechanical and non-mechanical pipe and ditch cleaning, manual shoulder grading, gravel road grading, sidewalk repair, etc.
• Perform vegetation maintenance such as weed abatement and vegetation removal; conduct roadside chemical weed and pest control, native plant restoration and maintenance, ground and aerial tree trimming, etc.
• Remove litter, debris and animals from roadways, stormwater drainage canals; remove and dispose of hazardous objects from roadways, to include large animals
• Perform DOT Inspection of highway vehicles; check brakes, lights, tires, fuel and oil level, and auxiliary equipment
• Operate a variety of tools related to highway maintenance and repair; operate power tools such as auger, chainsaws, tampers, blowers, hedge trimmers, weed eaters, and pneumatic tools such as jackhammers, drills, and masonry tools
• Fabricate, design and implement traffic control plans and signage using the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for Streets and Highways Perform maintenance on traffic signals such as general preventive maintenance, upgrades to traffic control software, repair and/or replacement of hardware and components that operate traffic signals
• Respond to traffic signal outages and provide emergency traffic control to ensure safe traffic flow during power loss
• Set up emergency or planned detours and place traffic control devices in accordance with established requirements
• Utilize computers, laptops, handheld data devices and other technology to send and receive work assignment information; operate web or software based computerized maintenance management systems
• Fabricate, paint, install and maintain traffic signs, lettering and other traffic control devices along Frederick County roads
• Apply thermo-plastic road markings to roadways
• Maintain sign material inventory
• Repair or replace broken or destroyed road signs and posts
• Inspect signs for errors and defects
• Haul light towers to support Fire and Rescue or Law Enforcement operations when requested
• Prepare and maintain operating records and other reports relative to the assigned work
• Perform driver duties during winter weather operations, which include pre-treating and plowing snow in a variety of equipment and conditions
• Assist other crews with operational needs and perform extraordinary tasks outside routine assignments
• Assist the front office with miscellaneous duties when requested
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job 

Highway Worker I ($21.66-$36.83 per hour)

• High school graduation or the equivalency
• Possession of a driver's license
• NOTE: Additional related work experience may substitute for a portion of the education requirement

Highway Worker II ($23.18-$39.41 per hour)

• High school graduation or the equivalency
• Possession of a commercial class B driver's license and possession of tanker endorsement
• Minimum 1 year work experience performing construction, landscaping, or operating machinery
• NOTE:  Additional related work experience may substitute for a portion of the education requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Basic knowledge of highway, bridge and drainage tool and equipment operation
• Basic knowledge of the hazards associated with highway operations work
• Familiarity with traffic control signs and basic road signage functions
• Basic knowledge of stormwater systems and roadside maintenance tasks
• Skill in operating basic maintenance equipment and power tools under supervision
• Ability to make minor adjustments to vehicles and equipment, with ability to recognize more serious mechanical problems in order to arrange for prompt repair and avoid safety hazards 
• Ability to operate and care for assigned highway, bridge, and road equipment in a safe and effective manner
• Ability to utilize necessary technology and programs, including GIS and GPS
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary certifications and trainings, including County Authorized Driving Privileges, CPR and First Aid, and Maryland state-approved traffic flagger course
• Ability to perform routine tasks such as pothole patching, debris removal, and weed control
• Ability to learn procedures and requirements regarding highway operations and fleet services
• Ability to learn and apply safety procedures to reduce risk and maintain a safe work environment
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, representatives of cooperating agencies and the general public 
• Accurate math and clerical skills, with ability to effectively calculate mileage, travel time, route time schedules, costs, etc. 
• Effective written and spoken (English) communication skills to understand instructions and travel directions 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is constantly walking, moving, traversing, climbing, stooping, kneeling and crouching; frequently lifting up to 20 pounds, lifting between 20-50 pounds, lifting over 50 pounds, pushing and pulling up to 40 pounds, reaching, making repetitive motions and driving; occasionally crawling
• While working in this position, the employee is constantly outdoors, walking on uneven ground, exposed to dirt, dust and noise, near machinery and required to wear protective equipment; frequently working in hot temperatures (above 100 degrees) and cold temperatures (below 32 degrees); occasionally working at heights and exposed to chemicals and fumes.
• Physical requirements include the ability to climb ladders and rough terrain, to use tools and equipment such as those listed above and to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in any weather conditions.

• Employees in this classification are designated as Essential. An Essential Employee means the employee is considered necessary for the operation of County services. Essential Employees are required to report to work in the event of a weather incident, general emergency, or disasters when County offices are closed. They may be required to work overtime with little or no advance notice and may be required to report to work in emergency situations and/or after hours. 
• These positions are subject to random drug testing
• Highway Worker I does not require the Maryland Medical Examiner's Certificate / DOT Physical Card but if upgraded/promoted to higher level classification, this will be required

 EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

• An evaluation of training and experience
• One or more interviews
• Behind the wheel driving test for level II
• A pre-employment physical examination and drug test with the ability to obtain a Maryland Medical Examiner's Certificate / DOT Physical Card

Salary : $22 - $39