Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Highway Operator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Highway Operator, you are the front line in ensuring our roads, highways, and bridges are safe, clear, and well-maintained for the traveling public. This is a hands-on, physically demanding role where you will operate a wide variety of heavy equipment and perform essential maintenance and repair tasks in all weather conditions. You will be a crucial member of a dedicated team, directly contributing to public safety and the reliability of our state's infrastructure. This position requires a strong commitment to safety, a robust work ethic, and the ability to respond to emergencies and changing priorities at a moment's notice.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Construction Laborer
Heavy Equipment Operator Trainee
Landscaping or Groundskeeping Crew Member
Farm Hand or Agricultural Equipment Operator

Advancement To:

Highway Maintenance Lead Worker / Crew Foreman
Senior Highway Operator / Equipment Specialist
Highway Maintenance Supervisor
Roadway Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Bridge Maintenance Technician
Traffic Control Supervisor
Fleet Maintenance Mechanic

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate a diverse fleet of heavy-duty trucks and construction equipment, including dump trucks (with and without plows/spreaders), front-end loaders, backhoes, motor graders, and skid steers, to perform roadway construction and maintenance.
Execute critical winter maintenance operations, including plowing snow, applying de-icing chemicals (salt, brine), and anti-icing treatments to highways, bridges, and interchanges to ensure motorist safety during severe weather.
Perform a variety of pavement maintenance tasks, such as patching potholes with hot or cold mix asphalt, sealing cracks, and performing surface treatments to extend the life of the roadway.
Establish safe and compliant work zones by setting up, maintaining, and removing temporary traffic control devices like signs, cones, barrels, and barricades according to MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards.
Conduct routine pre-trip and post-trip inspections on all assigned vehicles and equipment, checking fluid levels, tires, lights, and hydraulic systems to ensure operational safety and report defects.
Perform manual labor-intensive tasks, including shoveling materials, digging ditches, cleaning culverts and drainage structures, and removing debris and animal carcasses from the roadway and rights-of-way.
Assist in the installation, repair, and maintenance of roadway assets such as guardrails, delineators, right-of-way fences, and highway signage.
Operate specialized equipment for roadside vegetation management, including tractors with mower attachments, chainsaws, and chippers, to maintain clear sightlines and control overgrowth.
Respond to emergency call-outs on a 24/7 rotating basis for traffic accidents, hazardous material spills, storm damage, and other incidents that impact the highway system.
Haul various materials, such as asphalt, gravel, sand, and soil, to and from job sites using Class A or B commercial vehicles.
Perform minor preventative maintenance and field repairs on equipment, such as changing cutting edges on plows, replacing hydraulic hoses, and lubricating moving parts.
Act as a flagger to direct and control the flow of traffic through and around construction zones, ensuring the safety of the public and the work crew.
Complete daily work reports, equipment logs, and material usage records accurately and in a timely manner for administrative and tracking purposes.
Participate in and adhere to all safety training, policies, and procedures, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times.
Perform bridge maintenance activities, including cleaning decks, repairing expansion joints, and assisting with minor structural repairs under the guidance of a bridge crew.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc infrastructure projects, including the installation of new drainage systems, sign foundations, and other small-scale construction tasks.
Contribute to the upkeep and organization of the maintenance yard, including stocking materials, cleaning facilities, and organizing tools and equipment.
Collaborate with other public agencies, law enforcement, and emergency services during large-scale events or emergency responses.
Engage with the public in a professional and courteous manner to provide information regarding road closures or project timelines.
Assist in annual inventory counts of materials, tools, signs, and other assets within the maintenance section.
Participate in team safety meetings ("toolbox talks") to discuss potential hazards and reinforce safe work practices.
Operate and maintain power tools such as pavement saws, compactors, jackhammers, and welders for various repair tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial Driver's License (CDL): Possession of a valid CDL, typically Class A or B, with tanker and air brake endorsements preferred.
Heavy Equipment Operation: Demonstrated proficiency in operating equipment like dump trucks, loaders, graders, backhoes, and tractors.
Winter Operations Expertise: Experience with snow plows, salt spreaders, and de-icing/anti-icing techniques.
Road Maintenance Knowledge: Understanding of materials and methods for pothole patching, crack sealing, and pavement repair.
Traffic Control Certification: Familiarity with MUTCD standards; flagging certification is highly desirable.
Preventative Maintenance: Ability to perform basic mechanical checks and minor repairs on vehicles and equipment.
Chainsaw Operation: Safe and effective use of chainsaws for tree trimming and removal.
Hand and Power Tool Proficiency: Competence with tools used in construction and maintenance trades.
Physical Stamina: Ability to perform strenuous physical labor for extended periods and lift heavy objects (typically 50-100 lbs).
Basic Welding/Fabrication: Skills in minor welding for equipment or guardrail repair is a strong asset.

Soft Skills

Commitment to Safety: A safety-first mindset is non-negotiable.
Strong Work Ethic: Dependable, punctual, and willing to work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively as part of a crew to accomplish shared goals.
Adaptability: Capable of working in extreme weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow) and adapting to rapidly changing tasks.
Problem-Solving: Ability to assess situations in the field and make sound decisions, especially during emergencies.
Effective Communication: Clear communication with crew members, supervisors, and the public.
Resilience: Ability to handle the physical and mental demands of a physically challenging and high-stakes job.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate from a vocational or technical school in Heavy Equipment Operation, Diesel Mechanics, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Construction Trades
Heavy Equipment Operation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3+ years of experience in a related field.

Preferred:

Prior experience in road construction, heavy civil maintenance, or working for a public works department, municipality, or state Department of Transportation (DOT).
A valid, unrestricted Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is strongly preferred at the time of hire or must be obtained within a specified probationary period (e.g., 6 months).
Experience operating heavy equipment in adverse weather conditions, particularly snow and ice.