Highway Maintenance Worker - Equipment Operator

Responsibilities

• Under direct supervision, assists in the performance of a wide variety of maintenance activities in the construction, repair, and preservation of roads and bridges on the state highway system and may operate standard motorised equipment used in the construction and maintenance of highways or the movement of materials and supplies used to perform these maintenance activities on a County Maintenance Work Request Crew.
• Operates a 5-yard standard dump truck and flatbed truck for hauling materials such as asphalt, limestone, dirt, soil, cement, pipe, construction materials, and debris.
• Operates small equipment such as brush chipper, pneumatic (≤ 4 tons) rollers, broom sweepers, and trailer‑mounted pipe washers in conjunction with highway and bridge maintenance operations, and a standard dump truck with a snowplow attachment and sand spreader or brine sprayer applicator for removal of snow and ice from highways and bridges.
• Performs duties using manual labour in such maintenance tasks as clearing of rights‑of‑way; installing, repairing and maintaining flat‑sheet signs, sign assemblies and sign foundations; performing vegetation management to improve visibility of signage; cleaning drainage ditches and pipes, repairing shoulders; patching potholes, making base repairs; and paving driveways.
• Flags traffic during road repairs to control the flow of traffic to protect workers, the general public and equipment.
• Removes litter, debris and dead animals from the roadway and rights‑of‑way.
• Assists in the operation of heavy equipment such as tandem‑axle dump trucks, front‑end loaders, belt loaders, tractor with ditcher, specialised mowers, steel‑wheel rollers, trailer‑mounted injection patcher and backhoes with various levels of formal and informal instruction.
• Conducts and documents pre‑trip equipment/vehicle inspections in accordance with the Department’s most current rules, policies and procedures for fleet safety.
• Operates and maintains electric/gas‑powered tools in various phases of roadway maintenance.
• Assists in emergency or inclement weather operations and supports on‑call personnel, which may include being available for extended hours or shift operations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

There are no minimum training or experience requirements for this classification. A valid motor‑vehicle operator’s licence is required. The candidate must attain a Class A Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL) within six (6) months of placement in the position.

The physical demands for the essential functions of this position involve bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, climbing, balancing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, grasping and manipulating objects of varying size, shape, weight and material. It must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. The position requires walking for extended periods, traversing rough and uneven terrain, and working in close proximity to motoring traffic and natural environmental hazards.

It may require working outside the normal schedule, particularly during inclement weather or emergency situations. The employee will be frequently exposed to all‑weather conditions, noise, oil or grease on a daily basis.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation is committed to a diverse workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.