What are the responsibilities and job description for the Highway Maintenance / Equipment Operator position at Sherburne County, MN?
The Sherburne County Public Works Department is seeking a highly motivated and experienced candidate to join our Highway Maintenance team either at our Becker or Zimmerman facility location. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. Our Public Works Department is responsible for 402 miles of road within the County and there is always something that needs attention somewhere. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent team environment that strives to be efficient and safe while serving our County.
Typically, we work a Monday – Thursday, 6:00am – 4:30pm schedule in the summer and Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 3:30pm schedule in the winter. Additional hours will be required during winter mainly for snow plowing. Other additional hours may be required for storm damage cleanup, high-priority sign repairs or other emergency situations throughout the year. When called in outside of normal work hours employees are eligible to receive compensation for their time or choose to add hours into a comp bank, which may be used for time off. We strive to be flexible with schedules, especially in the summer with the understanding that snow and ice control in the winter is a top priority.
This position performs highway maintenance tasks to maintain and repair Sherburne County roads, bridges, related structures and highway maintenance equipment to provide for the safety and adequate travel and accessibility for the public. Includes all aspects of maintenance, heavy equipment operation, construction, and sign/traffic control creation and installation.
Learn more about our Public Works Department, workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Identify potential hazards and establish safe work practices for work crew and traveling public while performing daily tasks in all types of weather and volumes of traffic.
Operate heavy trucks with snow plows, underbody blades and wings to remove snow and ice accumulation. Set up, calibrate and operate computer-controlled sanders with liquid application tanks.
Identify, plan and execute complex traffic control in work zones depending on the direction, type of road and volume of traffic. Uses wide array of traffic control devices and communicating equipment (visual & verbal) to efficiently and safely move traffic through work zone.
Operate heavy equipment. Calibrate, set-up, adjust and operate trucks, loaders, graders, skid steers, tractors with attachments, shoulder machines, etc. Operates cranes, air compressor, hydraulic hammer, hydraulic post puller, drills, and hand tools.
Maintain and repair roadways and bridges to include: grading surfaces, laying down gravel, paving roads, patching holes, repairing culverts and maintaining roadway shoulders.
Precisely install, remove, inspect, and replace all signs, posts, guard rails, traffic signals and painting all pavement markings according to the Minnesota uniform traffic control manual.
Analyze and maintain county drainage systems. Locates, catalogs, inspects, cleans, repairs, removes and installs storm sewer, catch basins, culverts and drainage ditches. Operations include backhoes, dozers, skidloaders, graders, maps, laser levels, metal detectors and jetters.
Maintain roadways and right of way. Operate equipment (skid loaders, tractors, aerial boom truck, grinder, chipper, chainsaws) to remove trees and limbs from roads and right of way. Maintenance tasks include mowing, vegetation spraying, ditch bank restoration, turf establishment, dead animal and debris removal.
Provide work direction and oversight to seasonal workers.
Create, update and maintain records and files on computer and paper.
Attend training, educational and staff meetings as assigned.
Ability to respond to calls for service outside of normal work schedule.Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent; and
One year paid experience in the operation of highway construction and/or maintenance equipment; and
Valid Class B Minnesota Driver's License with requirement to obtain Class A Minnesota Driver's License within 1 year from date of hire.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Valid Class A Minnesota Driver's License is preferred.
- Experience with snow removal and ice control operations in a road system environment is preferred.
A Tanker Endorsement is required for some equipment and may be obtained after hire.
Supplemental Information
Must be able to engage in strenuous physical activities and work in temperature extremes. Appointment is contingent upon ability to pass a physical examination, a drug test, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension criminal history check.
Candidates will be contacted via email if you're selected for an interview after the job posting closes. First round of interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 20, 2026.
Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical (employee, employee spouse, employee child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.
- County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans
- Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy
- Optional Benefits:
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Care Insurance
- Deferred Compensation Plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.
- 12 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Public Employees Retirement (PERA):
Salary : $26 - $37