MAINTENANCE TRANSPORTATION WORKER - 08042026-79495

Location: Hickman County; Maury County

Full-time position with a starting monthly salary of $3,631 ($43,572 annually) and a salary range of $3,631 - $4,533 monthly ($43,572 - $54,396 annually).

About the Role

The Maintenance Transportation Worker plays a vital role in ensuring TDOT's infrastructure operates efficiently, safely, and remains in good working condition. This position supports the preservation of TDOT's infrastructure and public safety by performing daily maintenance tasks and operating equipment to maintain roads and facilities. Responsibilities include operating heavy machinery, vehicles, power equipment, and standard hand tools to support the preventive maintenance, inspection, repair, and construction of roads, structures, and roadside features throughout the State's transportation system. These efforts help extend the life of assets and ensure responsible use of public resources.

This position performs duties in compliance with Department policies, standard operating guidelines, procedures, and specifications, while also following directives from the Foreman to achieve desired outcomes. The Maintenance Transportation Worker requires full accountability for task completion, safe equipment operation, and overall highway maintenance activities. This position strengthens maintenance activities within the Team and assists in delivering high-quality work within a defined scope, schedule, and budget.

The Maintenance Transportation Worker works under the guidance of experienced team members, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to improve operational efficiencies and contribute to implementing innovative best practices. This position will take on more responsibilities as expertise is developed.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance work on TDOT infrastructure to ensure safety and operational efficiency, including identification, repair, and installation of signs, delineators, mailbox supports, and posts.
• Perform roadway maintenance and repair, including litter pickup, debris and carcass removal, mowing, shoulder maintenance, snow and ice removal, drainage structure cleaning and replacement, vegetation removal, pothole repair, and traffic control.
• Operate light and heavy equipment.
• Perform preventive and minor maintenance on TDOT assets by identifying deterioration and other deficiencies.
• Assist in integrating quality management into maintenance activities in alignment with Asset Management goals.
• Promote a safety-focused work environment by recognizing and communicating hazards, assessing risks, and mitigating safety concerns.
• Assist in the selection of appropriate technology based on an understanding of pertinent processes.
• Apply TDOT Policy 305-01 with Table A (PPE Guide), TDOT Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policies, and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices to establish and maintain safe and effective work zones.
• Assist the Maintenance Foreman by taking all required safety and flagging training.
• Assist in tracking data related to employee time, equipment, and material usage on projects.
• Assist in the proper operation and basic maintenance of TDOT equipment, such as dump trucks, trailers, pickups, loaders, tractors with mowers, sweepers, rollers, forklifts, skid steers, excavators, and other machinery as needed, including conducting pre- and post-trip inspections.
• Accurately track equipment usage.
• Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers.
• Assist with mentoring and offer basic technical support related to maintenance tasks.
• Gain an understanding of team roles within projects and work well with other teams.
• Assist the public during emergency situations.
• Effectively communicate with team members to learn objectives, listen carefully, respond quickly to requests, keep accurate records, and communicate clearly.
• Prioritize safety in all tasks.
• Participate in the Transportation Worker Proficiency Program by completing all required training and documentation.
• Maintain your Personal Advancement Log (PAL), submit necessary records on time, review module materials carefully, and prepare for scheduled exams and demonstrations.
• Operate equipment to clear ice and snow from highways and bridges, assist with setting up warning signs, and carry out other duties as needed during severe weather and emergency situations, such as floods, tornadoes, snowstorms, vehicle accidents, and hazardous material spills.
• Communicate effectively with the foreman, peers, and emergency crews about lane closures, incident severity, the status of emergency responses, and other critical information.
• Keep accurate records of all activities and details during roadside operations, work sites, and emergencies.
• Stay up to date on training related to emergency operations.
• Assist in providing support to local law enforcement officials at crash sites; assist stranded motorists as required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.
• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid to operate vehicles in the State of Tennessee.
• If under age 21, must obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) within eleven months at your own expense (a Code O, Code K, and Code 52 restriction is allowable; Code E restriction is not allowable; testing must be completed in a manual transmission vehicle). Some positions may require the removal of the Code O restriction.
• If currently a TDOT employee with a Class A CDL when reaching age 21, must possess and maintain, or obtain within 3 months of your 21st birthday at your own expense, a Class A CDL with an N endorsement valid in Tennessee.
• If age 21 or older and not currently employed with TDOT, must possess and maintain, or obtain within eleven months of hire at your own expense, a Class A CDL with an N endorsement valid in Tennessee.
• Employees will have five months from hire or promotion to obtain the applicable permits leading to eligibility for the specific required license. Code L restriction is not allowable; testing must be completed in a manual transmission vehicle.
• Must pass a drug test prior to employment for commercial driver and safety impact positions. Commercial drivers and safety impact employees will be subject to additional drug and alcohol testing during employment.
• May be required to work weekends, holidays, variable hours outside of the normal work schedule, including an on-call rotation.
• Required to work under exposure to inclement weather conditions.

Qualifications

Transportation Worker 1: Entry-level position with no prerequisites other than a high school education or equivalent. Eligible for promotion to Transportation Worker 2 upon satisfactory review and completion of the required skills and competency elements, including obtaining the appropriate level of Commercial Driver's License based on age.

Transportation Worker 2: Intermediate level. Must have successfully completed the required skills and competency elements of the Transportation Worker 1 level. Eligible for promotion to Transportation Worker 3 upon satisfactory review and completion of the required skills and competency elements.

Transportation Worker 3: Experienced level. Must have successfully completed the required skills and competency elements at the Transportation Worker 2 level.

Each level of the Transportation Worker Series will have a defined Work Element Plan that details a set number of hours of core and elective skills and competencies and the corresponding exam and demonstration requirements that must be completed for eligibility to move forward to the next level of the series.

Skills

For Transportation Worker I, II, and III:

• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Knowledgeable in basic mathematical fundamentals.
• Basic report and form writing skills.
• Skilled in applicable hand and power tools, equipment, and mechanical devices of the trade.
• Skilled in the use of light and heavy highway equipment.
• Ability to use computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems.
• Knowledgeable in basic vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair procedures.
• Ability to recognize and take precautions for potential hazards to the transportation work crew.

Additional KSACs for Transportation Worker II and III:

• Knowledge of the Tennessee Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
• Knowledgeable in street and highway traffic rules and regulations, and temporary signing and safety precautions to be observed while working on or near highways.
• Knowledgeable in project logistics and worksite planning.

Additional KSACs for Transportation Worker III:

• Ability to lead teams maintaining effective work relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external.
• Ability to train teams and individuals recognizing applicable teaching and learning methods and how to communicate curriculum respectively.
• Knowledge of material estimating and procurement procedures.

Pay

Monthly salary range: $3,631.00 - $4,533.00 ($43,572.00 - $54,396.00 annually). Starting rate: $3,631 monthly ($43,572 annually).

Schedule

Full-time position. May be required to work weekends, holidays, variable hours outside of the normal work schedule, including an on-call rotation.