Offering a $3,000 sign-on/retention bonus for qualified applicants with a valid Class A CDL. Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) available for qualified candidates with a Commercial Learner’s Permit.

The Highway Department has a four day work schedule year round and offers a steady work schedule, positive team environment and opportunity to operate a large variety of equipment.

The role of the Apprentice Highway Worker is to perform maintenance work on County highways and bridges, including asphalt repairs, gravel road maintenance and snow removal.

Essential Functions:

• Ensure roadways are safe for the traveling public.
• Perform road construction and maintain highways and surrounding terrain including operation of heavy equipment, trucks, construction machinery, snow removal equipment, etc. in a safe and efficient manner. Work includes but not limited to maintaining road surface, maintaining gravel, patching asphalt, mowing ditches, sweeping, clearing trees and brush from right-of-way and placing work zone traffic control signing in proper locations.
• Remove snow and ice from roads and bridges including operation of heavy equipment and manual removal of snow when necessary. Determine when and where to put snow and how much sand/salt to put down with the differing weather conditions and urban vs. rural locations.
• Prepare equipment for snow removal including installing chains, changing cutting edges and/or loading trucks with sanding materials.
• Establish proper procedures in relation to field conditions including weather conditions and forecasts, traffic patterns, terrain, speed of operation, project requirements and urban vs. rural locations for individual operations.
• Know the functions and limitations of each piece of equipment.
• Determine what equipment and personal protective equipment needed for task.
• Maintain bridges and access areas including inspection, maintenance and replacement of structural members, compaction of backfill area and operation of equipment necessary to complete the work.
• Maintain all construction and maintenance equipment in a safe and orderly condition.
• Determine when conditions in the field may be too dangerous to perform work.

Experience and/or Education Required:

• One or more years of road construction/maintenance experience.
• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Knowledge of equipment and truck operation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and have or be able to obtain a South Dakota Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with tanker endorsement within ninety (90) days of hire date.

• Must be able to frequently sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, reach and lift, push or pull
• Upper body strength is a requisite to lift/move 20 lbs. unassisted; and lift/move 50 lbs. with assistance.
• Will be required to use appropriate personal protective equipment.

Working Environment:

• Most work is performed outdoors where the employee is exposed to outside weather conditions including; extreme cold, extreme heat, moving mechanical parts, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic chemicals, high volume traffic, heavy equipment and noise related to construction projects. Noise level may be loud at times.
• Subject to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays and must live within 20 minutes of divisional office/shop hired for.
• Overtime hours may be required.