Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$2,500 Hiring Incentive!
Current Department of Transportation Employees and Those from Other State Agencies Do Not Qualify
Former Department of Transportation Employees Must Have a Minimum of 1-Year Break in Employment to be Eligible for the Hiring Incentive
Job ID: 36931 (Three positions)
Agency: Department of Transportation / Division of Operations
Location: Rapid City
Salary: $22.74 - $24.25 per hour, depending on experience
Pay Grade: GG
Closing Date: 08/20/2026
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 Highway Maintenance Worker!
Job Description:
Highway Maintenance Workers are responsible for ensuring the state highways are kept safe and drivable for the traveling public at all times. This position involves working as a member of a crew. Duties may include, but are not limited to, performing roadway maintenance activities; performing roadside activities; installing and replacing signs, permanent traffic control devices, and pavement markings; maintaining and repairing guardrail systems; performing structure maintenance and repair activities; performing winter maintenance; maintaining and repairing department facilities and properties; performing preventative maintenance and equipment repair; responding to emergencies and other incidents; providing on-the-job training and work direction; providing temporary traffic control through and around work zones and emergency/hazardous sites; maintaining documentation; operating and using a variety of equipment and tools; and promoting a safe work environment and participating in public safety awareness activities.
From approximately May 1 through September 30, the anticipated schedule is four 10-hour days per week, Monday through Thursday. From approximately October 1 through April 30, the schedule shifts to eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. Night and shift work will be required, including weekend and holiday hours during emergencies and severe weather.
We have three Highway Maintenance Worker positions open, two of which will include nighttime duties during periods of inclement weather and will follow a different work schedule. These nighttime incumbents will be part of the snowplow crew from November 1 through April 30, working from 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., with occasional extended shifts as needed. A 5% shift differential will be added to the base pay during months when night duties are performed.
Work assignments are frequently performed outside in all weather conditions and around highway traffic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What You Bring to the SDDOT:

• positive attitude;
• willingness to learn;
• self-motivated and determined mindset.

What the SDDOT Offers:

• Hiring incentive
• Health insurance (zero-cost premium plan, low and high deductible plans, and single and family plans)
• Well-being program
• Employee assistance program
• Dental, Vision and Health Savings Account
• Free basic life insurance policy
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System with partial state match
• Paid leave (15 vacation days per year)
• Sick leave (14 days per year)
• Paid family leave (12 weeks for birth and adoption of child, equivalent to 40 hours per week)
• Military leave (15 days per year)
• 11 paid holidays
• Longevity pay
• Semimonthly pay periods
• Eligibility for meal per diems
• Paid overtime (if applicable)

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
Experience in the operation of heavy equipment/farming or ranching equipment and/or experience in heavy construction is preferred.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• methods, materials, and techniques used to perform road maintenance activities (desirable but not required);
• preventive maintenance methods such as changing oil, rotating tires, and lubricating parts (desirable but not required);
• basic math to add, subtract, multiply, and divide;
• basic computer operation (desirable but not required).

Skill to:

• use and maintain a variety of hand and power tools;
• operate, maintain, and repair various equipment and attachments (desirable but not required);
• drive and operate a manual transmission.

Ability to:

• 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;
• lift 35 pounds routinely, up to 60 pounds occasionally (without assistance), and 90 or more pounds infrequently (with assistance);
• routinely reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

Compensation:
The total compensation of Hourly Wage + State/Federal Benefits for a typical year for entry level Highway Maintenance Worker is approximately $67,003.00 annually.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.
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 here. 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=4K8
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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