Class Code:  08121

 

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

 

Highway Technician associate

 

DEFINITION

Operates equipment/perform physical laboring activities in the maintenance of roadway, roadside, right of way, shoulder, bridge and highway grading/paving projects; perform routine bridge inspections, traffic control and operates snow/ice removal equipment (e.g., heavy duty trucks equipped with various types of snow plows) to prepare/spread abrasives and de-icing chemicals on the roadway; incumbents do not rotate seasonally between maintenance and construction activities; performs related work as required.

 

The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

 

WORK EXAMPLES

Performs roadway and right of way, shoulder, roadside, bridge, surface, drainage and related maintenance to include: surfacing, sealing and filling joints and cracks, removing bumps, filling depressions, and removing and replacing damaged pavements; filling edge ruts, smoothing shoulders, mowing shoulders, and rebuilding shoulders; picking up litter, cutting brush, repairing fence, controlling weeds, maintaining signage; and cleaning, washing, and lubricating working members of bridges.

Performs duties related to snow and ice removal including: operating Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS), the Data Transmission Network (DTN), and related computers and software applications to record and receive data and make decisions regarding times, temperatures, weather conditions, and material usage to operate snow and ice removal equipment such as single or tandem axle dump trucks that may be equipped with tailgate or hopper spreader, straight blades or V-plows, wing plows, and underside ice blades; includes preparing and spreading abrasives and deicing chemicals on the roadway by using a loader for mixing abrasives and chemicals.

Inspects phases of bridge, grading and paving projects as assigned; prepares written inspection reports and records as required.  Performs materials sampling and testing, or construction or right of way survey activities as assigned.

Performs traffic control to assist motorists through work zones in a safe and orderly manner.

Services and performs routine maintenance and minor repairs on all assigned equipment such as oil changes, greasing and inspections; assists mechanic on major breakdowns and overhauls such as repairs on brakes, hydraulics, electrical, transmission and mechanical systems.

Performs construction and maintenance on Department of Transportation facilities and grounds including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, janitorial, masonry, and landscape maintenance.

Maintains waterways by reshaping fore and back slopes, cleaning vegetation from ditches, maintaining and repairing tile culvert pipes and intakes using backhoes, loaders, power shovels and draglines.

Performs herbicide-spraying operations in right of way areas by using a backpack sprayer, driving a truck and/or operating a pressure sprayer.

Loads and unloads materials, such as abrasives, deicing chemicals and rock into trucks, using end loaders, shovels and other hand tools.

Respond as directed to roadway emergency situations.

 

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Knowledge of the specialized highway maintenance equipment, its operation and use.

Knowledge of highway maintenance procedures, techniques, terminology and specifications.

Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to the work.

Knowledge of the applicable department policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to highway and equipment maintenance, record keeping, budgeting, and reporting requirements.

Knowledge of the characteristics and special needs of highways within assigned areas.

Knowledge of the effects of weather on road surfaces.

Knowledge of the rules and regulations pertaining to proper placement of signs and placards within and along the highway right of way.

Knowledge of computers and related software applications.

Knowledge of anti-icing and deicing principles as they apply to highway safety.

Ability to drive trucks and other vehicles in a safe and conscientious manner.

Ability to communicate and comprehend directions and instructions.

Ability to lift and load items weighing up to 65 pounds.

Ability to work out of doors in all types of weather conditions, day or night, in normal and emergency situations to ensure the proper completion of maintenance activities.

Ability to operate and use the tools required in highway maintenance work.

Ability to appropriately use anti-icing or deicing materials.

Ability to operate computers and apply related software applications to record and receive data and make decisions regarding times, temperatures, weather conditions, and material usage.

Ability to calibrate and maintain electronic and hydraulic controls to ensure proper amount of materials are being applied to the roadway.

Ability to assist with on-the-job training for new employees.

Skill in the use of the Roadway Weather Information System (RWIS) and the Data Transmission Network (DTN).

Skill in the operation of hand tools, power tools, and light and heavy highway maintenance equipment requiring hand, foot and eye coordination.

Displays high standards of ethical conduct.  Exhibits honesty and integrity.  Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or unethical behavior.

Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner.  Committed to quality service.

Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.  Works with minimal supervision.  Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

Responds appropriately to supervision.  Follows policy and cooperates with supervisors.

Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity.  Fosters commitment and team spirit.

Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information.  Listens to others and responds appropriately.

 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Graduation from high school or G.E.D.;

OR

one year of full-time experience in highway maintenance or equipment operation work, or any combination thereof, may be substituted for each year of the required education.

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License Instruction Permit upon hire.

In conjunction with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (parts 391 and 40), this job requires a pre-employment drug screen and will require ongoing participation in the employer’s random drug and alcohol testing program.

Employees must be available to travel and may be required to stay away from home overnight during assignments.

Employees are required to be able to report to their assigned facility, under normal driving conditions, within a 30-minute time period to respond to emergency situations.

Employees must be available to work up to 16 consecutive hours.

 

NOTES

Within 14 calendar days following appointment, a valid Class A Commercial Drivers License must be obtained with air brake and tanker endorsements in order to continue employment.  Other endorsements may also be required.

After accepting an offer of employment, all persons are required to have a physical examination by an employee’s doctor of choice verifying the physical ability to perform the duties described.

Within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority, certain designated positions may be required to be certified by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator.

 

Effective Date:        08/08    DK