MAINTENANCE TRANSPORTATION WORKER 1* - 10202026-81908

Full-time position with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Region 4 – District 48 Operations – Maintenance Section in Bolivar, TN. Opening date: 10/20/2026; closing date: 10/26/2026.

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. 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

• Under intermittent direct supervision, perform routine maintenance work on TDOT infrastructure to ensure safety and operational efficiency.
• Identify, repair, and install 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 (dump trucks, trailers, pickups, loaders, tractors with mowers, sweepers, rollers, forklifts, skid steers, excavators, and other machinery), 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 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 (floods, tornadoes, snowstorms, vehicle accidents, 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.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma.

• Transportation Worker 1 (Entry level): No prerequisites other than high school education or equivalent. Eligible for promotion to Transportation Worker 2 upon satisfactory review and completion of the required skills and competency elements of the Transportation Worker 1 level, including obtaining the appropriate level of Commercial Driver's License based on the employee's age (see Necessary Special Qualifications).
• 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 of the Transportation Worker 2 level.
• 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 has 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.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Possess and maintain a Class D driver's license valid to operate vehicles in the State of Tennessee.
• If under age 21: must, at own expense and within eleven months, obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License valid in Tennessee (Code O, Code K, and Code 52 restrictions allowable; Code E restriction not allowable; testing must be completed in a manual transmission vehicle). Some positions may require removal of the Code O restriction to operate a fifth wheel or trailer over 10,001 pounds.
• If currently a TDOT employee with a Class A CDL upon reaching age 21: must possess and maintain, or obtain at own expense within 3 months of 21st birthday, 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 at own expense within eleven months of hire, a Class A CDL with an N endorsement valid in Tennessee.
• Employees have five months from hire or promotion into this classification to obtain the applicable permits leading to eligibility for the specific required license.