Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Highway Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Highway Technician is the backbone of our transportation network, a hands-on professional responsible for ensuring the safety, functionality, and longevity of our public roads, bridges, and highways. This role involves a dynamic blend of skilled manual labor, heavy equipment operation, and rapid response to maintain critical infrastructure under all weather conditions. From routine maintenance like patching potholes to emergency response during storms, the Highway Technician's work directly impacts public safety and the smooth flow of commerce and daily life. This is a role for a dependable, safety-focused individual who takes pride in tangible, impactful work and enjoys being part of a team dedicated to public service.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer or Construction Crew Member
Landscaping or Groundskeeping Professional
Equipment Operator (in a different industry)

Advancement To:

Senior Highway Technician or Crew Leader
Highway Maintenance Supervisor
Equipment Operator Specialist or Trainer

Lateral Moves:

Bridge Maintenance Technician or Inspector (with additional certification)
Traffic Control Coordinator
Public Works Fleet Mechanic (with relevant mechanical skills)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate a wide range of heavy and light-duty equipment, including dump trucks, front-end loaders, backhoes, motor graders, and snowplows, to perform road construction, repair, and maintenance activities.
Execute skilled manual labor for pothole patching, crack sealing, and applying asphalt or concrete to maintain a safe and smooth driving surface for the traveling public.
Perform comprehensive snow and ice control operations during winter months, which includes plowing roadways, applying salt and de-icing agents, and working extended or irregular hours as dictated by weather events.
Install, repair, and maintain crucial traffic control devices such as road signs, delineators, guardrails, and cable barriers according to state, federal, and MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) standards.
Conduct routine visual inspections of roadways, bridges, culverts, and drainage systems to identify potential hazards, structural deterioration, or areas requiring immediate maintenance, and accurately document all findings.
Perform roadside vegetation management, including mowing, trimming trees and brush, and applying herbicides to ensure clear lines of sight and prevent encroachment on the roadway.
Set up and remove temporary traffic control zones for work areas, accidents, or special events, ensuring the safety of the work crew and the motoring public through proper sign, cone, and barricade placement.
Respond to emergency situations and call-outs, such as traffic accidents, spills, or storm damage, by clearing debris, providing traffic control, and making immediate temporary repairs to the roadway.
Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on assigned vehicles and equipment, including conducting daily pre-trip inspections, checking fluid levels, and reporting any mechanical issues to the fleet maintenance department.
Repair and maintain roadway shoulders by grading, adding aggregate material, and ensuring proper slope for drainage to prevent pavement edge drop-offs.
Clean and maintain drainage structures, including culverts, ditches, and catch basins, to prevent flooding and water damage to the road infrastructure.
Participate in pavement marking activities, including the layout and application of paint or thermoplastic for lane lines, crosswalks, and other symbols.
Load and unload various materials such as asphalt, gravel, salt, and construction supplies, ensuring loads are properly secured for transport.
Utilize hand and power tools such as chainsaws, concrete saws, compactors, and pneumatic tools to complete a variety of maintenance and repair tasks.
Assist in the fabrication and repair of highway signs and other traffic control components within the maintenance yard workshop.
Perform litter and debris removal along highway rights-of-way to maintain a clean and safe environment for travelers.
Document daily work activities, including labor hours, equipment usage, and materials consumed, through written logs or digital data entry systems.
Act as a certified flagger to direct traffic safely and effectively through and around work zones, communicating clearly with drivers and equipment operators.
Collaborate effectively with other crew members, supervisors, and contractors to complete projects efficiently and to established quality standards.
Adhere strictly to all safety protocols, policies, and procedures, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times to foster a culture of safety.
Engage in regular and specialized training sessions to stay current on new equipment, maintenance techniques, and safety regulations.

Secondary Functions

Assist in maintaining a clean, organized, and safe maintenance yard, including the proper storage of tools, equipment, and bulk materials.
Participate in the annual inventory process for tools, equipment parts, and consumable materials like salt, sand, and asphalt.
Provide support and assistance to other public works departments or government agencies during large-scale emergencies or community events as directed.
Complete and submit all required paperwork, such as daily work reports, equipment inspection forms, and incident reports, in a timely and accurate manner.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Heavy Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating equipment such as dump trucks, loaders, backhoes, and graders.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL): A valid Class A or Class B CDL, often with tanker and air brake endorsements, is typically required.
Snow and Ice Control: Experience and skill in operating snowplows, spreaders, and applying de-icing materials effectively and safely.
Roadway Repair Techniques: Practical knowledge of asphalt and concrete patching, crack sealing, and sub-base repair.
Traffic Control & Flagging: Certification and working knowledge of MUTCD standards for setting up safe work zones and directing traffic.
Hand and Power Tool Proficiency: Competent use of chainsaws, compactors, pavement saws, and other common construction tools.
Basic Vehicle Maintenance: Ability to perform daily pre-trip inspections and minor preventative maintenance on trucks and equipment.
Guardrail and Sign Installation: Knowledge of the procedures and standards for installing and repairing guardrails, posts, and traffic signs.
Drainage Maintenance: Understanding of how to clean and maintain culverts, ditches, and other drainage systems.
Blueprint and Plan Reading: Basic ability to read and interpret construction plans or maintenance work orders.

Soft Skills

Safety Consciousness: An unwavering commitment to personal and team safety in a high-risk environment.
Strong Work Ethic: Dependable, punctual, and willing to work hard in challenging physical and weather conditions.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a diverse crew to achieve common goals.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Willingness to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, especially during emergencies or winter storms.
Problem-Solving: The ability to assess a situation on-site (like a road failure) and determine the appropriate immediate course of action.
Physical Stamina: Capable of performing strenuous physical labor for extended periods, including lifting, carrying, and working on uneven terrain.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate from a vocational or technical school in a relevant discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Heavy Equipment Operation
Construction Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of hands-on experience in road maintenance, general construction, heavy equipment operation, or a closely related field.

Preferred:

Prior experience working for a state Department of Transportation (DOT), county, or municipal public works agency.
Verifiable experience operating snowplows and other winter maintenance equipment in live traffic and adverse weather conditions.
Possession of a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at the time of application.