Highway Technician I

About the role

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is committed to meeting or exceeding the needs and expectations of our customers, focusing on people—customers, employees, and partners—to deliver a safe, efficient, environmentally sound, and fiscally responsible transportation system. By joining the Kenton County Unit as a Highway Technician I, you will perform intermediate‑level work in roadway or roadside maintenance, including operating equipment, performing quality‑assurance inspections, and providing traffic control. The position is located at 3923 Madison Pike, Covington, KY 41017. Incumbents typically work at highway maintenance facilities or section offices, at work sites throughout the assigned area, and may be required to work extended hours outdoors in inclement weather. The job includes an initial and promotional probationary period of 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Operates dump truck with snow plow and salt spreader to work in the winter months.
• Operates intermediate equipment such as asphalt distributors, backhoes, belt loaders, concrete mixers, front-end loaders, hydro-seeders, pipe cleaners, road wideners, roller, skid steers, slope mowers, tandem trucks, and low pavers.
• Rolling of hot mix, applications of chemicals, and installation of drainage structures.
• Learns to operate advanced equipment like bulldozers, cranes, excavators, graders, boom saws, lowboys, milling machines, self-propelled pavers, semi-trucks and trailers to perform duties such as advanced carpentry work, concrete finishing, installation of complex signs, milling, and patching pavement and the grading of slopes.
• Serves as quality assurance inspector for pipe laying, concrete coring, earthwork, asphalt laying and guardrail installation for compliance with plans and specifications.
• Flagger to provide traffic control.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements: High school graduate; four years of construction or highway maintenance experience.

Substitution options: Associate's degree in engineering technology, construction management, engineering science, engineering mechanics, geology, earth science, industrial drafting, design technology, construction technology or a related field substitutes for two years of experience; Bachelor's degree in engineering substitutes for four years; relevant college coursework substitutes year‑for‑year.

No substitution of experience for education is permitted.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Qualifications

Must be 18 years of age; possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a Class A commercial driver's license with tanker endorsement; must successfully complete the KYTC Highway Technician Academy Level 2 or equivalent within one year of employment; must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment.

Skills

Experience working on rough terrain and in changing climates; ability to work with strict deadlines; completing shift or on-call schedules; basic equipment operation for road maintenance; operating snow and ice plowing skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health with optional dental and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings.
• Professional development opportunities and ongoing trainings.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Employee wellness programs.
• Paid time off.

Pay

Base salary range: $21.73 – $25.47 per hour; locality premium: $3.00 per hour (approved).

Schedule

Full‑time, 40 hours