Highway Maintenance Worker 2 (In-Training) Seattle

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is eager to hire a highway maintenance professional to serve as Highway Maintenance Worker 2 serving the greater Seattle area in support of the vast transportation infrastructure of Northwest Washington. The selected candidate will assist with the areas maintenance and repair of the state highways and highway structures to ensure the traveling public's safety. This position will work primarily on encampment cleanup operations. At times, this position will also help other crews performing asphalt and concrete maintenance, traffic control, repair and installation of guardrail and signs, as well as culvert and drainage maintenance. Working in the maintenance area requires responsible, safety-minded individuals to perform a variety of journey-level labor tasks and operate highway equipment and tools.

This is an in-training opportunity that offers a career path, hands-on learning, and mentorship and allows you to progress upward through the Highway Maintenance Worker series and achieve the goal class of a Highway Maintenance Worker 2. This position is perfect for someone who loves working with their hands, knowing their work is done on roadways and roadsides in a variety of weather. The successful candidates will perform a variety of skilled tasks including repairing roadways and roadway shoulders, maintaining culverts and catch basins, removing debris, operating snow removal equipment, and providing traffic control for these operations. This team member will assist with the maintenance and operations of the state highways, and adjacent right of ways to assure they remain in a condition that promotes the movement of traffic, and safety to the motoring public.

Working in the maintenance area will require responsible, safety-minded individuals to accomplish skilled tasks that require operating trucks and various other highway and heavy equipment. These positions require a quick response time to job sites. Highway maintenance crews are ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By taking on this role, you are serving a key and vital function to the State of Washington.

What to Expect

These positions may be asked to respond to emergency callouts. Work is often physical in nature and performed primarily outdoors, traversing rough, steep, and uneven terrain; and near high-volume/high-speed traffic. This position works a 4/10 schedule, with opportunity for overtime .

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Worker will:

• Work as part of a crew using current guidelines for the safe posting, removal, and cleanup of unlawful dwellings.
• Work in coordination with appropriate external agencies including law enforcement agencies, various cities and municipalities, and Department of Corrections.
• Use appropriate PPE to ensure safe handling or containment of hazardous substances, hazardous objects, and possible blood-borne pathogens.
• Use hand and power tools to remove personal property, debris, and garbage from state property.
• Install and/or repair fencing.
• Maintain an accurate photo document inventory of personal property collected.
• Perform journey-level highway, roadside, infrastructure, and right-of-way maintenance and repair tasks.
• Vegetation control, such as mowing or spraying.
• Highway debris removal, including danger tree removal.
• Design and set-up of traffic control, which includes manually flagging traffic or signing for lane closures and operating attenuator/buffer truck.
• Perform maintenance and minor repair on equipment and hand tools which includes sharpening power saws and chains, washing vehicles, and greasing tools and equipment, etc.
• Ability to learn how to Operate Class A, B, or C equipment for maintenance operations.

Qualifications

To be considered for the Highway Maintenance Worker 1 opportunity, the following are required :

• One (1) year of experience performing maintenance activities or equivalent.

To be considered for the Highway Maintenance Worker 2 opportunity, the following are required :

• Two (2) years of highway maintenance, logging, farming, excavation, heavy equipment experience, or equivalent., OR
• One (1) year of experience as a Highway Maintenance Worker 1
• Current Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class A with endorsement N and without air brakes restriction and no transmission restrictions.

In addition to:

• High school graduation or GED
• Ability to respond to emergency call outs, work nights, work different and/or extended shifts on short notice (days, nights, and weekends), and perform standby duty.
• Ability to lift and transport up to 50lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions including confined spaces, uneven terrain, and next to fast high volume highway traffic.
• Ability to learn how to operate heavy equipment, and hand and power tools.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Washington State Flagging Card
• Washington State Pesticide Applicators License
• Backflow Prevention Tester Certification
• High School Diploma or GED

Important Notes

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• The salary listed includes the legislative approved 5% salary premium for positions in King County. In addition to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 3% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2025.
• This is an in-training position that offers a career path, hands-on learning, and mentorship. This position allows you to progress upward through the Highway Maintenance Worker series and achieve the goal class of a Highway Maintenance Worker 2. Candidates will be considered for a Highway Maintenance Worker 1 or Highway Maintenance Worker 2, depending on their qualifications.

Annual salary levels for each position are:

1. Highway Maintenance Worker 1: $53,958 - $65,412
2. Highway Maintenance Worker 2: $60,858 - $74,106

• Obtaining your Commercial Drivers License is made easier with WSDOT! We provide on the job training and partial financial assistance for positions requiring CDLs.
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable . Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in of the Washington Administrative Code.
• This position is subject to the drug and alcohol testing requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). For more information, please go to .
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit

  Why WSDOT

  • Work-Life Balance We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
  • Paid Leave In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
  • Tuition Assistance Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
  • Plan For Your Future WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to for more information.

  Check out this video to learn more:

  How to Apply

  Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the Work Experience portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.

  In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

  • Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the References section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

  Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

  WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.

  Contact us

  For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at ... . Please be sure to reference Highway Maintenance Worker 2 #12890 in the subject line.