Highway Maintenance Worker - Limited Term (Public Works)

Pay

$28.70 hourly

Schedule

Full‑time (40 hrs/week) from mid‑November to 26 Feb 2027. Shifts: 3:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. or 10:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. During winter snow events hours may be adjusted to cover while full‑time employees are off for an overnight rest period.

Location

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Position Summary

This position is primarily responsible for evening shift work required to maintain safe travel conditions on assigned highways and maintain the Highway Division’s equipment. It also performs maintenance on County equipment, buildings and grounds, including parks, while meeting departmental safety policies and procedures. Candidates must be available for full‑time (40 hrs/week) work through February 26 2027.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Remove snow and de‑ice assigned highways.
• Maintain and install snowplows, snow wings, and sanders.
• Install and remove snow fence.
• Mark curbs and culverts.
• Patrol assigned highways for down or missing signs.
• Patch holes in pavement.
• Repair road shoulders with gravel.
• Clean drainage structures.
• Trim trees and brush from roadsides.
• Remove animals and debris from roadway.
• Repair guardrails.
• Report new driveways and utilities doing work on right‑of‑way.
• Operate equipment including forklifts, wheel loaders, rollers and other equipment.
• Seasonal activities: crack filling, shouldering, culvert replacement, blow‑up repair, concrete repairs, black topping, flagging traffic, and setting up lane closures.
• Work under proper safety guidelines and follow County safety procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to County safety and risk‑management efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two to three years of relevant prior experience.
• Work experience in maintenance and repair of roads and the operation of a variety of trucks and equipment is desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Wisconsin Commercial Driver's License – Class A or B (required upon hire).
• Wisconsin Commercial Driver License – Tanker Endorsement N (required within 30 days of hire).
• Good driving record for the past 10 years.
• Must wear steel‑toe safety shoes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to drive a 41,100 lb GVW truck with manual transmission.
• Knowledge of driver preventative maintenance of equipment (trucks, tractors, end‑loaders).
• Knowledge of road construction and maintenance.
• Ability to work long hours, including evening shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Knowledge of traffic laws, ordinances and regulations governing equipment operation.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safe work practices for motor‑driven equipment, including operation over rough, slippery or unstable conditions.
• Ability to understand, remember and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working and public relations with co‑workers, the public, vendors and outside agencies.

Interactions and Communications

Responds to others' requests for basic and general information.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions within detailed procedures and protocols under close supervision. These decisions directly impact performance in the job or work unit and information is provided to others for their decision‑making.

Thinking and Problem Solving

Challenges are routine and primarily related to procedure and process issues, in accordance with County policies.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Plow trucks
• Computerized sander controls
• End‑loaders
• Computers for timecard documentation

Work Environment

The employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, and vibration. Occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals; and extreme heat. Noise level is usually loud.

Physical Demands

The employee regularly stands, walks, sits, uses hands to finger, handle, or feel, reaches with hands and arms, climbs or balances, stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls, talks, hears, and may taste or smell. Frequently lifts and/or moves up to 50 lb and occasionally lifts up to 100 lb. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

• Formal Walworth County electronic application
• Education & experience review
• Verification of Commercial Driver License
• Oral department interview
• Driving test
• Reference check
• Background check
• Post‑offer physical exam
• Drug screen
• Other job‑related tests may be required

Benefits

• Casual, limited‑term, student‑worker status (at‑will employment)
• Hourly basis of payment
• Not eligible for vacation, sick leave, or holidays
• Not eligible for health, dental, vision, life, or LTD insurance
• Wisconsin retirement: eligibility after 1,200 hours worked and meeting age/education criteria; employee pays employee portion, County pays employer contributions as required by state law