HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER II

Highway Workers with McLeod County Public Works perform a wide range of skilled maintenance duties to ensure the safety, functionality, and cleanliness of county roads, parks, and facilities for residents and visitors. This hands-on position supports year-round operations and requires the ability to operate light, heavy, and specialized equipment to perform tasks such as snow and ice control, road repair, facility upkeep, and grounds maintenance. Employees in this role carry out daily vehicle inspections, document work activities and materials used, perform equipment maintenance, and respond to weather events or infrastructure needs with urgency and professionalism. The 2025 salary range for this position is $23.43 to $35.14 per hour, depending on experience. New hires should expect to start between $23.43 to $25.00 per hour. Key responsibilities include performing road and right-of-way inspections, implementing work zone traffic control according to MMUTCD standards, conducting routine highway maintenance on aggregate, bituminous, and concrete surfaces, and addressing safety issues as they arise. Highway Workers also maintain buildings and grounds in a clean and safe condition, support event setup and takedown at County parks and fairgrounds, and complete general building and mechanical repairs as needed. The position may assist other Public Works divisions when assigned and is expected to respond to emergency weather events or public safety concerns within one hour of being called in. This role requires extensive equipment operation and manual labor. Workers use a variety of hand tools, heavy machinery (e.g., snowplows, loaders, graders), and technology such as computers, radios, and telephones. Employees must perform accurate documentation of project assignments, materials used, and time worked. Duties also include providing traffic control, supporting park maintenance activities, and maintaining tools and equipment in good working order. Highway Workers frequently interact with the public, fellow County staff, and local, regional, and state agencies. While not supervisory, they may occasionally direct seasonal employees or lead small work crews in the absence of a lead worker or supervisor. Work is often performed in adverse weather conditions and may involve underground hazards or exposure to environmental elements. Early morning starts, extended hours, weekend duty, and on-call responsibilities are expected. This position is physically demanding and requires the ability to lift up to 100 pounds, operate machinery while monitoring multiple variables, and safely climb, stoop, kneel, or crawl to complete job duties. Workers must have strong coordination and awareness to ensure safe operations in high-traffic or hazardous areas. Safety is a critical aspect of the job, and adherence to OSHA, County, and departmental protocols is required at all times. All McLeod County Highway Workers are subject to pre-employment background checks, medical evaluations, and drug/alcohol screening. The position is also subject to ongoing random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements.