Highway Maintenance Specialist (Limited Duration)

Initial posting date: 10/20/2026. Application deadline: 11/03/2026. Oregon Department of Transportation, Delivery and Operations Division – Region 4 Maintenance Crew, La Pine. Limited‑duration appointment expected to end on or before June 30, 2027; benefits‑eligible with potential to become permanent.

About the role

Join the La Pine maintenance crew to operate equipment necessary to maintain and repair roadways, highways, bridges, and structures. The position includes emergency cleanup and traffic control after storms, spills, and incidents. This is a limited‑duration, benefits‑eligible role with the potential to become permanent.

Responsibilities

• Respond to weather‑related emergencies; operate snowplows, deicer trucks, and other equipment to clear snow from roadways.
• Operate a variety of heavy and light equipment and tools to maintain and repair various surfaces.
• Perform minor surface repairs including pothole and concrete patching and small inlay work.
• Clear debris, brush, and mow grass; spray roadside vegetation.
• Maintain and repair fences, guardrails, concrete barriers, and milepost markers.
• Maintain drainage systems; dig and clean ditches; repair culverts, inlets, and erosion.
• Maintain wooded areas including replanting, pruning, thinning, or trimming trees, shrubs, and groundcover.
• Service and repair tools and motorized equipment.
• Perform minor maintenance including janitorial work, landscaping, painting, and light carpentry.
• Work in conditions involving noise, extreme heights, all weather, heavy equipment, pesticides, and hazardous waste materials.
• Move around rough terrain, bend and stoop for extended periods, and lift up to 60 pounds.

Requirements

• One year of experience performing basic highway maintenance work OR two years of general landscaping, maintenance, mechanical, farming, logging, and/or construction experience or training.
• Current, valid commercial driver’s license Class B (CDL‑B) with no air‑brake restrictions and no manual‑transmission restrictions.
• Ability to obtain a Class A commercial learner’s permit within 60 days of hire and a CDL‑A with tanker endorsement, no air‑brake restrictions, no 5th‑wheel restrictions, and no manual‑transmission restrictions within six months of hire (ODOT covers training costs).
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and an acceptable driving record; pre‑employment driving‑record checks including FMCSA Clearinghouse registration and query.
• Must be able to respond to emergency call‑outs within 45 minutes to 51591 N. Highway 97, La Pine, OR 97739.
• Availability for after‑hours, weekend, and holiday work for emergency, on‑call, and weather‑related purposes.

Skills

• Experience in road maintenance, construction, or a maintenance training program (e.g., ODOT High School to Highway, ODOT/ODF Fire and Ice, Job Corps).
• Experience using hand tools and operating light and heavy equipment such as tractors, excavators, loaders, or dump trucks.
• Experience working on a team and with minimal supervision.
• Experience making decisions during stressful situations.

Benefits

• Work/life balance with flexible work schedules.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Paid leave.
• Comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range; salary determined via equal‑pay assessment based on application materials.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunity.

Pay

Non‑PERS monthly salary range: $4,312 – $5,988. If already a participating PERS member or once PERS‑eligible, the range increases by 6.95%.

Schedule

Full‑time; requires availability after hours, on weekends, and holidays for emergency, on‑call, and weather‑related response. Maximum 45‑minute response time to the La Pine maintenance station for call‑outs.