Highway Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

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CLASSIFICATION TITLE:
Highway Maintenance Person
SALARY:
$43,712.50 - $56,538.46
DEPARTMENT:
Roads
Opening Date:
01/09/2026
Closing Date:
When Position is Filled
LOCATION: Various Service Centers
FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period
GENERAL SUMMARY:
Under direction, assists with road maintenance projects; performs manual labor including patching holes, flagging traffic, loading materials, filling pavement joints, chipping concrete, sweeping, digging, cutting trees, brushing, and bridge planks; operates heavy equipment, installs road signs and guardrails.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Performs manual labor to assist in completing road maintenance projects.
Operates various pieces of maintenance equipment including but not limited to riding mowers, grass whips, power tools, heavy and light duty trucks, backhoes, loaders, jack hammers, and chain saws.
Completes roadside landscaping maintenance, such as cutting grass, clearing weeds and brush, and trimming trees.
Prepares work areas by setting out signs, cones and flags to divert traffic.
Directs motorist traffic through areas undergoing road construction or road maintenance.
Clears debris from catch basins, ditches and other drain structures.
Installs and repairs guardrails.
Operates a snow plow truck with an underbody blade, front plow and salt spreader insert for winter maintenance.
Cleans, repairs and performs preventative maintenance to assigned vehicle or equipment.
Assists in performing minor building maintenance tasks at assigned Service Center.
Required to participate in call rotation as directed.
Required to participate in random drug and alcohol screens.
Works mandatory overtime as directed, including weekends and holidays.
Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education and Experience:

• Possession of a high school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test (GED)

Preferred Education and Experience:

• A minimum of one (1) year of road construction or road maintenance experience

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel
• Possess and maintain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsements

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• Possess and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with air brake endorsements

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:
Knowledge of:

• How to operate heavy equipment such as a bucket truck, front loader and patch truck
• Materials needed to complete assignments
• Safety regulations
• Flagging rules and regulations when setting up signs and flags to divert traffic through a construction site

Skill in:

• Operating a snowplow truck with an underbody blade, front plow and salt spreader
• Reading maps and utilizing a Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Vehicle loading safety and material handling, tie down and securing procedures
• Prioritizing and reviewing work assignments

Ability to:

• Operate a motor vehicle and other related maintenance equipment
• Document and maintain information such as daily work reports and equipment inspections
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Speak and understand a language other than English, is preferred
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials,
• Administrators, Department Heads, staff, union officials and the public
• Conduct oneself with tact and courtesy

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:
The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously
Work Environment
Office or similar indoor environment: N/S
Outdoor environment: F/C
Street environment (near moving traffic): F/C
Construction site: F/C
Confined space: O
Exposures
Individuals who are hostile or irate: O
Individuals with known violent backgrounds: N/S
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): F/C
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): F/C
Communicable diseases: N/S
Moving mechanical parts: F/C
Fumes or airborne particles: F/C
Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: O
Loud noises (85+ decibels): F/C
Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously
Demand:
Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: O
Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): F/C
Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S
Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S
Digging: O
Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: F/C
Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: F/C
Kneeling to work at low levels: O
Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C
Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below):
Up to 75 pounds: F/C
Over 100 pounds: O
Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: F/C
Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): F/C
Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C
Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C
Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C
Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS
Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State's Emergency Management Act and the County's Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.
The Road Technicians Association bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.