Overnight Rail Switch Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $36.32 - $38.64 Hourly
Location : Bethel, AK
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 54924
Department: Transportation and Public Facilities
Division: CRD-Southwest District
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 5:00 PM Alaska
Division: Central Region Highways and Aviation
Position Open To: Alaska Residents Only
Bargaining Unit: Labor, Trades and Craft
Range: 52
Job Description
ATTENTION ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLY!
The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Central Region Highways & Aviation is looking for three (3) Equipment Operator, Lead/Journey 3 in Bethel (Alternate Workweek - 2 weeks on/2 weeks off) to help us Keep Alaska Moving!
What you will be doing:This position is responsible for the following tasks in relation to the operations and maintenance on 1 Certificated Airport, 25 Rural Airports, several roads, and the State Highway: Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), TSA safety and security checks, crack sealing, snow and ice control, pavement markings, pothole patching, blading, wildlife control, operation of various pieces of equipment, and other duties as assigned.
This position is on an Alternate Workweek Schedule (AWW). The hours are 80 hours a week Monday to Sunday with every two (2) weeks off (14 days on, 14 days off schedule). Airfare is provided for the selected candidate to travel from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau to Bethel. State provided lodging is available to the selected applicant at a reduced rate.
Our organization, mission, and culture:
DOT&PF's mission is to "Keep Alaska Moving - through service and infrastructure". As part of the Maintenance and Operations team, the ideal candidate will affect Alaskan's life daily as all goods and services require the use of some form of the State's transportation system to be delivered. As a department, we model our core values of integrity, excellence and respect.
The Bethel Maintenance Station is made up of 9 staff who work cooperatively to operate and maintain regulatory certification and compliance of this important FAR Part 139 and TSA 1542 airport, State Highways, and Roads. This also includes rural airports across approximately 40,000 square miles of Southwest Alaska. We are the "moving" in the DOT&PF mission to "Keep Alaska Moving".
Our crews maintain the airport and roadways in all conditions, year around. Whether plowing snow in near "white-out" conditions; maintaining roadways safely for the traveling public; repairing asphalt on paved surfaces; conducting security inspections on airport; maintaining airport lighting systems; clearing rights-of-way and airport safety areas of vegetation overgrowth; these are just a few of the situations you can find us in while making the difficult seem routine day after day. We truly Keep Alaska Moving!
The benefits of joining our team:
Benefits include healthcare, contribution to retirement accounts and paid leave. Most of all, you will participate in performing activities directly related to the safety of all Alaskans. Working for M&O you are provided many opportunities to participate in professional career development, including most AAAE training and certifications. We are the ones counted on to carry out many routine tasks without notice or recognition. Yet, we are at our best when things get tough.
The State of Alaska has a generous benefits package and an excellent retirement plan. Please see here for more information:
The working environment you can expect:
This position is on an Alternate Workweek Schedule (AWW). The hours are 80 hours a week Monday to Sunday with every two (2) weeks off (14 days on, 14 days off schedule). Airfare is provided for the selected candidate to travel from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau to Bethel. State provided lodging is available to the selected applicant at a reduced rate. Located at the airport in Bethel, Alaska, you work in a scenic setting away from the more congested parts of the state.
While we strive to create a collaborative 'team' work environment, the M&O environment can be fast paced with frequently changing conditions. Priorities change in an instant and a successful applicant will change along with them. At M&O the greatest feeling of success comes in keeping Alaska moving in the face of challenges.
Who we are looking for:
To be successful in this position, the selected applicant will possess the following core competencies:

• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions. Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Conscientiousness: Displays a high level of effort and commitment towards performing work; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; rapidly adapts to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Special Note:

• Valid Class A CDL with N-Tanker required per 49 CFR Part 383.23
• Possession of Firearms
• If incumbent to have on the job training with ARFF and be certified within probation period.

To view the general description and example of duties for positions please go to the following link:
Minimum Qualifications
Vacancies in this job class are filled through Union referral, except for promotions, demotions, transfers, and emergency appointments.
This job class is part of a series of competency based class specifications created for career areas within the Labor, Trades, and Crafts Unit. The class specification identifies the levels of work and wage grades within the career area, the core and specific competencies of the career area, required work behaviors, certifications, and physical requirements. The competency specification for this job class is available at http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/fileadmin/Classification/pdf/LTC_Specs/EQUIPMENTOPERATOR.pdf.
Additional Required Information
At time of interview, applicants are requested to submit (if not already attached to your application):

• Three (3) professional references, including name, job title, and current phone numbers.
• A copy of your last two (2) performance evaluations. You may substitute letters of recommendation if evaluations are unavailable.
• Copy of your CDL.

ALASKA RESIDENTS ONLYPlease be sure to check our to determine if you qualify.
COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIRED
This position requires the incumbent to possess a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) per federal regulations (49 CFR 383), to register with the federal CDL Drug & Alcohol Testing prior to performing safety sensitive duties, and to provide consent to the Employer to review driver information in accordance with 49 CFR 382.

• A Class A Alaska Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required at time of hire. A conditional hire approval can only be given for endorsements. This means that the proposed appointee must successfully obtain an N-Tanker endorsement within 90 days of hire and sign an agreement to this effect as a condition of employment.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY
Selected candidates must comply with the DOT&PF Drug and Alcohol Policy and procedures and CANNOT start work in a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) position until Management Services or designee has received confirmation of the proposed appointee passing the required Pre-Employment drug test. According to federal regulations, all violations and refusals will be maintained with the Federal CDL Drug & Alcohol Testing database.
ARMS & AMMUNITION REQUIREMENT
This position requires the use of firearm or ammunition. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence you may not hold a position in this job class in accordance with the Federal Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 (PL-104-208). A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" means an offense that: is a misdemeanor under Federal or State Law; and has, as an element the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim.
EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.
WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience not already documented in your application, also provide the employer's name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.
NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.
EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or (907) 465-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P.O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact Information
For specific information about this position, please contact the hiring manager at the following:
Name: Nick Norwood, C.M., Bethel Airport Manager
Phone: (907) 545-0901
Email:
OR
Name: Teodore Odena, Central Region Recruitment CoordinatorPhone: (907) 269-0630Email:
Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits
The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.
For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)
Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short