What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Highway Maintenance Worker position at State of South Dakota?
Job ID: 35571
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations
Location: Deadwood
Salary: $26.04 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GH
Closing Date: 04/29/2026
This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/ .
Introduction
Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as a Lead Highway Maintenance Worker !
Job Description
The Department of Transportation is seeking an individual with strong leadership skills to coordinate and provide work direction for highway maintenance and rehabilitation activities. This position serves as a working crew leader and performs a variety of highway maintenance procedures. Duties may include, but are not limited to: providing training and work direction to highway maintenance staff, seasonal employees, and trusties; completing records, reports, and documentation; directing and performing roadway surface maintenance activities; directing and performing roadside maintenance activities; directing and installing pavement markings; directing, installing, and replacing signs, delineators, and permanent traffic control devices; directing, maintaining, and repairing various guardrail systems; directing and performing structure maintenance and repair activities; directing and performing winter maintenance; directing, maintaining, and repairing department facilities and properties; directing and performing preventative maintenance and equipment repair; directing and responding to emergencies and other incidents; directing and providing temporary traffic control through and around work zones and emergency/hazardous sites; training personnel on safety standards; promoting a safe work environment; and participating in public safety awareness activities.
From approximately May 1 to September 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is 10-hour days, 4 days per week, from Monday through Thursday each week. From approximately October 1 - April 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work will be required, including working weekend hours and holidays during emergencies and inclement weather.
Work assignments are frequently performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.
Incumbents must have a valid driver license and must have or obtain a valid commercial driver license (CDL) within 120 days of hire date to retain employment. The incumbent must have a Class A CDL with the tanker endorsement and no restrictions in order to operate any Class A vehicle that is a truck-tractor/semi-trailer, with manual transmission. The CDL must include an N endorsement (tank vehicle) for specific positions and must have no transmission restrictions. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.
Incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies; and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification.
Incumbent is eligible to receive $5.00 per hour winter maintenance premium pay when responding to and performing winter maintenance duties during a weekend and/or holiday.
Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside of South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.
What You Bring To The SDDOT
Experience in directing and participating in the operation of heavy equipment/farming or ranching equipment and/or experience in heavy construction is preferred.
Knowledge Of
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The total compensation of Hourly Wage State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Lead Highway Maintenance Worker is approximately $74,151.00 annually.
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3UX
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations
Location: Deadwood
Salary: $26.04 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GH
Closing Date: 04/29/2026
This is a full-time position with the Department of Transportation. For more information on the Department of Transportation, please visit https://dot.sd.gov/ .
Introduction
Ready for a rewarding career that provides exciting and meaningful work? Looking for a place that values innovation and teamwork? In need of schedules and benefits that make it possible to both support and enjoy your family?
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a perfect opportunity for you as a Lead Highway Maintenance Worker !
Job Description
The Department of Transportation is seeking an individual with strong leadership skills to coordinate and provide work direction for highway maintenance and rehabilitation activities. This position serves as a working crew leader and performs a variety of highway maintenance procedures. Duties may include, but are not limited to: providing training and work direction to highway maintenance staff, seasonal employees, and trusties; completing records, reports, and documentation; directing and performing roadway surface maintenance activities; directing and performing roadside maintenance activities; directing and installing pavement markings; directing, installing, and replacing signs, delineators, and permanent traffic control devices; directing, maintaining, and repairing various guardrail systems; directing and performing structure maintenance and repair activities; directing and performing winter maintenance; directing, maintaining, and repairing department facilities and properties; directing and performing preventative maintenance and equipment repair; directing and responding to emergencies and other incidents; directing and providing temporary traffic control through and around work zones and emergency/hazardous sites; training personnel on safety standards; promoting a safe work environment; and participating in public safety awareness activities.
From approximately May 1 to September 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is 10-hour days, 4 days per week, from Monday through Thursday each week. From approximately October 1 - April 30, the anticipated work schedule for this position is eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work will be required, including working weekend hours and holidays during emergencies and inclement weather.
Work assignments are frequently performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.
Incumbents must have a valid driver license and must have or obtain a valid commercial driver license (CDL) within 120 days of hire date to retain employment. The incumbent must have a Class A CDL with the tanker endorsement and no restrictions in order to operate any Class A vehicle that is a truck-tractor/semi-trailer, with manual transmission. The CDL must include an N endorsement (tank vehicle) for specific positions and must have no transmission restrictions. Employee will be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable-suspicion, post-accident, follow up, and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing.
Incumbent must be willing and able to report to work for inclement weather conditions and other highway emergencies; and must be able to report to their home station within 30 minutes, under normal driving conditions, from the time of notification.
Incumbent is eligible to receive $5.00 per hour winter maintenance premium pay when responding to and performing winter maintenance duties during a weekend and/or holiday.
Pursuant to SDCL 32-12A, applicants will be required to authorize the Department of Transportation to obtain a complete driving record. Applicants living outside of South Dakota may be asked to provide a motor vehicle record from their state of residence.
What You Bring To The SDDOT
- Positive attitude
- Willingness to learn
- Self-motivated and determined mindset
Experience in directing and participating in the operation of heavy equipment/farming or ranching equipment and/or experience in heavy construction is preferred.
Knowledge Of
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- winter highway maintenance techniques (desirable but not required);
- methods, materials, and techniques used to perform road maintenance activities;
- preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts;
- basic math to sufficiently calculate volumes and quantities;
- basic computer operation.
- analyze/interpret weather information and its impact on maintenance activities;
- use and maintain a variety of hand and power tools;
- operate, maintain, and repair various equipment and attachments;
- drive and operate a manual transmission.
- display high standards of ethical conduct;
- treat customers courteously and be responsive to their needs;
- work cooperatively with others and promote a friendly work climate in order to achieve shared goals;
- display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals;
- attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately, and thoroughly;
- build cohesive teams and provide clear direction and guidance in order to facilitate the completion of team goals;
- safely move, drag, and lift 35 pounds frequently, up to 60 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 90 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
- walk, sit, and stand for extended periods of time;
- routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl;
- have specific vision abilities required by this job: close vision, color vision, distance vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to focus.
The total compensation of Hourly Wage State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Lead Highway Maintenance Worker is approximately $74,151.00 annually.
This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3UX
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
Salary : $74,151