highway maintenance worker - Hutchinson - McLeod County

Description

The Public Works Maintenance Worker performs a variety of skilled maintenance, repair, and operational duties to support McLeod County Public Works. This position plays an important role in maintaining safe and functional roadways, parks, and facilities for county residents and visitors. Work involves operating light and heavy equipment, performing snow and ice control, maintaining county infrastructure, and assisting with general facility and grounds upkeep. The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-focused, and skilled in operating and maintaining equipment in a variety of outdoor conditions. This position requires a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at the time of hire.
Supplemental:

• 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
• Relevant previous experience will be taken into consideration.
• Our organization values pay equity, and hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical.
• Communication updates will be sent via email.
• This full-time position includes a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation
• 2026 Benefits Click HERE or visit McLeod County website > Employment tab.

Position Summary
This position performs a variety of skilled maintenance work to support Public Works to ensure the safety and security of County residents and visitors.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
Duties listed are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
General:

• Perform daily equipment inspections (pre-trip) to ensure vehicles are in proper working order and maintain logs
• Document time spent on particular projects, equipment, roads, parks, or facilities. Accurately documents materials used
• Perform snow and ice control to county standards
• Operate a variety of light, heavy, and specialized maintenance equipment
• Perform routine equipment maintenance/repair tasks
• Perform maintenance and/or repairs at facilities as necessary or directed

Highway:

• Perform a variety of highway maintenance and repair tasks on and around aggregate, bituminous, and concrete surfaced roads
• Perform road and right of way inspections to ensure safe conditions
• Perform work zone traffic control in accordance with the MMUTCD

Parks/Fairgrounds:

• Maintain facilities in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition
• Perform a variety of grounds and facility maintenance
• Perform setup functions for a variety of events

Non-Essential Functions

• Assist other Public Works divisions
• Perform job related duties as assigned or apparent

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data and information
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information
• Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to requests from others.
• Ability to operate various communication devices
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to effectively handle stressful situations in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision-making
• Knowledge of applicable software applications
• Demonstrates knowledge of the operation of heavy diesel and gas powered construction equipment
• Demonstrates knowledge of road construction and maintenance practices
• Demonstrates knowledge of snow and ice control practices
• Demonstrates knowledge of park maintenance activities
• Demonstrates knowledge of the supplies, materials, and techniques used in general building and grounds maintenance work
• Demonstrates skill in the methods, materials, and equipment used in sign installation, and pavement messages
• Ability to comprehend information contained in equipment, procedural and safety material
• Ability to use mechanical skill in the safe operation of equipment
• Ability to safely use and care for hand and power tools
• Ability to apply carpentry skills in the performance of various infrastructure maintenance tasks
• Ability to uphold safe working conditions and procedures and follow County and departmental policies and procedures
• Ability to identify potential hazards and correct situations

Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience with prior responsible related work experience;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job

Required Training

• OSHA and safety training

Required Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with proof of insurance
• Must obtain a tanker endorsement within 6 months of employment
• Must be able to obtain fork lift certification within one (1) year of employment

Preferred education and Experience

• Experience in County/State snow and ice control operations, motor grader operation, general highway maintenance work, and park/recreation maintenance

Relationships

• Regular interaction with County staff
• Interaction with the public
• Local, regional, state and federal agencies

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May indirectly supervise seasonal employees
• May indirectly supervise a work crew in the absence of Lead Workers or Managers

Working Conditions

• Work is performed under conditions involving exposure to environmental factors
• Ability to respond within one (1) hour of being called for unscheduled work and/or emergencies
• Ability to work around underground hazards
• Ability to work early morning starts, extended hours, and weekend duty

Physical Requirements Of This Position

• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs
• Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring monitoring multiple conditions
• Lift and carry materials weighing up to 100 pounds
• Ability to climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, and pull
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics

Equipment Required to Perform This Job

• Hand and power tools
• Heavy equipment
• Specialized maintenance equipment
• Light equipment
• Shop equipment
• Standard office equipment
• Computers
• Telephones
• Two-way radio
• Motor vehicles

Additional Notes

• All positions at McLeod County are subject to a background check. This may include, but not limited to the following checks: criminal history, credit, driver's license, pre-employment physical, pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, pre-employment psychological testing.
• Upon employment offer, must pass a medical examination. This examination will include testing and review of previous employment record for substance abuse.
• This position is subject to random drug and alcohol testing pursuant to Department of Transportation rules.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.