Maintenance Aide I

Posting closes on 8/31/2026. This position is eligible for Geographic Differential Pay.

About the role

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for operating a single axle truck and/or operating a tractor and attached mowing apparatus, and performing various road maintenance functions.

Responsibilities

• Maintain control of grass and weeds by mowing using large tractors and gang mowers frequently.
• Perform landscape maintenance and tree cutting on the highway right-of-ways and at facilities using industrial weed-eaters, brush hooks, chainsaws, pole saws, limb saws, and other small power equipment frequently.
• Operate single-axle dump truck hauling highway construction or maintenance materials frequently.
• Use power equipment as well as small hand tools (such as shovels and rakes) frequently to make repairs to highways.
• Load, unload, and stack bags of salt, sand, cement, chemicals, etc. frequently.
• Pick up litter (including large tires, dead animals, garbage, etc.) frequently.
• Flag traffic frequently.
• Assist crewmembers in setting up, moving, and taking down signs and cones for work zones.
• Respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week (such as natural disasters, severe weather, traffic accidents, etc.) occasionally.
• Work during ice and snow removal operations occasionally.
• Perform regular servicing and preventative maintenance on assigned equipment.

Requirements

• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, and make entries on reports and records.
• Experience operating a truck, tractor, or heavy equipment preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Applicants must pass the written portion of the exam for a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) with tanker (“N”) endorsement within the first 90 calendar days of hire and the driving portion within 180 calendar days of hire.
  • Failure to pass the written portion of the CDL exam within the 90-day period will result in demotion to the General Laborer job title with a reduction in salary. If the written portion is later passed, the employee will be reinstated to the Maintenance Aide I title and pay rate.
  • Failure to obtain the required CDL certification within the 180-day period may result in immediate termination or permanent demotion to the General Laborer title (demotion depends on availability of full-time work that does not require a CDL).
• Successful applicants must meet the physical and mental requirements for a CDL.
• A pre-employment drug/alcohol test will be conducted after a contingent offer of employment or transfer has been made, and prior to performing any work for the Department in that capacity. Internal applicants already in a safety-sensitive position will not be subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing, but those not in a safety-sensitive position will be.
• Subject to additional drug/alcohol testing according to the provisions of the ARDOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

Skills

• Ability to learn local street and highway names/numbers.
• Basic math and computer skills.
• Ability to follow oral instructions.
• Ability to learn and safely perform the operation of a single-axle truck, tractor, and heavy equipment.
• Ability to learn and work with simple hand tools and small power equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to climb up and down hills and grades as well as in and out of vehicles and equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

• Ability to perform assigned duties in all types of weather as well as other work conditions, e.g., noise, dust, and fumes.