Highway Operator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $53,560.00 - $73,507.20 Annually
Location : 7752 Highway 25 NE, Foley, MN 56329, MN
Job Type: Full-Time (Union)
Job Number: 2026-31-1
Department: Public Works / Highway
Division: Public Works Maintenance
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 4:30 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: LOCAL 49ers-PUBLIC WORKS/HIGHWAY
Position Summary
NOW HIRING!
EXCELLENT JOB OPPORTUNITY!
JOIN THE BENTON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS/HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TEAM!
The Benton County Public Works/Highway Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Highway Maintenance Operator.
Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Seasonal summer hours are Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Friday, 7:00 - 11:00 a.m. Schedule may be subject to change based on the department's needs.
Interview Process: Initial interviews may be conducted by phone or in person. Dates and times are TBD. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.
Field Skills Test: A Field Skills Test may be required as part of the selection process. Dates and times are TBD. Candidates selected to participate will receive additional information and scheduling instructions. Please monitor your email for updates and scheduling information.
Application Deadline:
Monday, September 14, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
View Full Job Description and Apply:
Position Summary
Responsible for the maintenance and repair of Benton County roads, bridges, related structures, and highway maintenance equipment. Safely operates a variety of highway maintenance equipment and performs roadway maintenance activities to ensure safe, efficient, and accessible travel for the public.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
A. Maintain and inspect county roads, ditches, signs, and culverts, and perform related duties in all seasonal conditions.
A. 1. Haul and place gravel and bituminous on county highways and roads.
A. 2. Perform pavement maintenance and repair.
A. 3. Operate snowplows and other heavy equipment to remove snow, ice, and storm debris from County roadways and apply ice control materials.
A. 4. Maintain land and ditches, which may include cutting brush, grass, shaping and seeding slopes, spraying weeds, and applying herbicides, as needed.
A. 5. Assist the Sheriff's Office with seasonal road restrictions.
A. 6. Maintain and repair culverts, ditches, bridges, right-of-way, etc., including brush and weed control and herbicide application.
B. Operate light and heavy equipment.
C. Install and remove snow equipment.
D. Install and maintain traffic control devices and signage and conduct flagging operations.
E. Perform minor to occasional major repairs, maintain maintenance equipment and vehicles, to ensure compliance with DOT safety regulations.
F. Communicate with the public regarding highway department operations and respond to questions and concerns in a timely and professional manner.
G. Perform monthly inventory checks.
Additional Functions
A. Attend training as needed.
B. Assist with building maintenance and repair.
C. Assist Civil Engineering Technicians.
D. Subject to emergency calls outside of normal work hours.
E. Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
Minimum Qualifications - Training and Experience Required
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
A. Completion of a two (2) year associate's diploma or degree program (or higher) in Equipment Operation or a closely related field; and
B. Two (2) years of relevant experience in road or highway maintenance, construction, light or heavy equipment operation, or a closely related field; OR
C. Equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
D. Must possess a valid Minnesota Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and be qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the State of Minnesota.
E. Must successfully complete a background check.
F. This is a safety-sensitive position. Must complete and pass all required pre-employment testing.
F. 1. Drug & Alcohol testing.
F. 1. 1. Subject to random drug testing.
G. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
G. 1. Ability to obtain and maintain, within one (1) year of hire:
G. 1. 1. Chainsaw Training and Certification.
G. 1. 2. Crane Training and Certification.
G. 1. 3. First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, as required by the position. Training, proficiency testing, and certification must be maintained every two (2) years.
G. 1. 4. Flagger Training and Certification.
G. 1. 5. Forklift and Bucket Training and Certification.
G. 1. 6. Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification.
G. 1. 7. Tanker Training and Certification.
Preferred Qualifications
A. Three (3) years of relevant experience in snow plowing.
B. Experience operating a motor grader, including snow plowing and shaping gravel roads.
C. Experience in performing roadway construction, maintenance, and repair for public works or a highway department.
D. Experience operating a variety of heavy and light equipment used in road maintenance and construction.
E. Experience operating specialized road maintenance equipment, such as shoulder machines, crack sealers, patching equipment, street sweepers, rollers, road stripers, or similar equipment.
F. Experience operating and maintaining trucks and equipment with specialized attachments.
G. Experience performing routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on heavy equipment, vehicles, and small engines.
H. Experience applying weed and dust control chemicals.
I. Experience with traffic control devices.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Physical Demands and Working Conditions Required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A. Knowledge of local and state laws and regulations regarding the operation of equipment, particularly those pertaining to their operation on public streets.
B. Knowledge and skill in proper snow and ice removal techniques.
C. Knowledge of small and large engine mechanics.
D. Skill in operating heavy equipment and vehicles used in roadway maintenance and snow/ice removal.
E. Knowledge of state and federal OSHA standards and requirements.
F. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
G. Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved; supervisor generally sets operating benchmarks, goals, and objectives.
H. Ability to apply a variety of procedures, policies, and precedents using moderate analytical ability.
I. Ability to effectively communicate with the department and other departments, outside agencies, and the public on specialized matters requiring detailed or technical responses/explanations.
J. Ability to travel within your daily work assignment.
K. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
L. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
M. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
N. Performs the physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
O. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours, as necessary.
P. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
Q. Must comply with data practices policies and standards related to private data. Access to private data is limited strictly to what is necessary to perform assigned job duties. While accessing such data, the employee must take reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related need. Once the work-related purpose has been met, private data must be properly secured and stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
A. Work is performed both in the office and in the field.
B. Headaches, eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury within the office.
C. Must be able to perform moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).
D. Environmental conditions include heat, cold, wetness, toxic chemicals, insect-borne illnesses, traffic, and other occupational hazards associated with road construction and maintenance.
E. This position may be intermittently exposed to offensive language, threats, mental effort, and stress.
F. This position occasionally performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
G. This position is exposed to the potential dangers of distracted driving.
H. Subject to a random drug testing program.
Hours of Work
A. Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
B. Seasonal Summer hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.
C. Schedule may be subject to change, depending on department needs.
Equipment Utilized
A. Office equipment, computer hardware and software, and phones.
B. Light and heavy road maintenance vehicles, equipment, and tools used in the performance of duties.
C. Equipment Operation and Maintenance:
C. 1. Responsible for operating and maintaining a wide range of light and heavy specialized equipment, including motor graders, loaders, dump trucks, sign trucks, snow equipment, street sweepers, rollers, tractors and attachments, backhoes/excavators, shouldering machines, crack sealer machines, dura patchers, patch trailers, screen plants, chippers, dozers, trash pumps, forklifts and attachments, sprayers, steamers, cranes and hoists, truck scales, portable air compressors, packers, welders, skid loaders, chainsaws, pole saws, string trimmers, bucket trucks, plasma cutters, torches, grinders, band saws, drill presses, brine systems, post benders/presses, sand blasters, road stripers, generators, air tools, and transit/laser levels.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Benton County offers an exceptional benefit package, including paid time off and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package are life insurance, medical, vision, and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan, and Public Employees Retirement (pension) - (PERA). Health Insurance is covered under the Local No. 49ers Health Plan.
BENTON COUNTY BENEFIT SUMMARY
This summary is intended for general information purposes and does not represent the legal description of our benefit package. The summary plan descriptions, Benton County personnel policies, or applicable labor contracts contain more complete information and will prevail in the event of a discrepancy.
TO VIEW BENTON COUNTY'S BENEFITS GUIDE FOR DETAILS ON BENEFITS, CLICK HERE.
COMPETITIVE AND EQUITABLE COMPENSATION:
It is the policy of Benton County that competitive and equitable compensation be provided to employees, consistent with the Local Government Pay Equity Act and federal standards. We strive to be a market-competitive employer with compensation rates that are externally competitive and internally equitable. To do so, Benton County has adopted an annual classification maintenance program that provides for the ongoing review of all job classifications on a three-year rotating cycle. The Human Resource Department has information regarding the county's Compensation Plan, job classifications, and annual classification maintenance program.
PAID TIME OFF (PTO):
PTO is defined as authorized absence from duty with pay granted to employees in permanent employment positions. The amount of PTO earned is dependent upon hours worked and the employee's length of service measured from his or her last date of continuous service with Benton County in accordance with the following schedule:
YEARS OF SERVICE
ANNUAL ACCRUAL RATE
PER PAY PERIOD
ACCRUAL RATE
PTO
DAYS EARNED
0 through 2 years
168 HOURS
6.46 HOURS
21 PTO DAYS
3 through 6 years
192 HOURS
7.39 HOURS
24 PTO DAYS
7 through 10 years
216 HOURS
8.31 HOURS
27 PTO DAYS
11 through 15 years
240 HOURS
9.23 HOURS
30 PTO DAYS
16 through 20 years
264 HOURS
10.15 HOURS
33 PTO DAYS
21+ years
288 HOURS
11.08 HOURS
36 PTO DAYS
Employees in regular part-time positions, who normally work fourteen or more hours per week, shall earn PTO on a pro-rata basis.
HOLIDAYS:
Benton County observes the following 13 calendar holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
President's Day
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