Crew Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary  

The Crew Lead oversees hands-on maintenance of local roadways and highways while guiding a small crew. Responsibilities include planning daily tasks, managing work zone traffic control, and performing maintenance, such as pothole patching, debris removal, and sign repairs. The role involves inspecting tools, ensuring safety, and verifying quality standards. 

This position combines leadership with fieldwork, coaching technicians, coordinating with supervisors, and maintaining accurate records. Work is primarily outdoors in various weather conditions and may include nights, weekends, and emergency response. 

  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Lead the daily work of an assigned maintenance crew. Set priorities, assign tasks, and verify that safety, quality, and productivity standards are met on every activity.
• Hold tailgate talks and job hazard analyses, ensure proper work zone traffic control is in place, and confirm all crew members use required PPE and follow company procedures.
• Address minor performance or conduct issues promptly and respectfully. Escalate serious matters to the respective Manager in accordance with company policy.
• Assist with onboarding and training for new team members. Coach on best practices, encourage cross-training, and foster a supportive, high-performing team culture.
• Communicate clearly with clients, inspectors, and the public. Provide courteous, professional service and timely updates on work progress and any issues that arise.
• Set clear goals and deadlines for the crew. Monitor progress throughout the day and remove obstacles so assignments are completed safely and on time.
• Help team members solve technical issues or advanced problems. Provide hands-on guidance to keep work moving and ensure a quality finish.
• Perform and oversee landscape and vegetation maintenance, including mowing, trimming, brush cutting, herbicide and fertilizer application under certification, weed control, seasonal cleanups, tree trimming, and pruning.
• Clean and grade ditches, culverts, and stormwater drainage structures. Maintain shoulders and slopes and apply basic erosion control as directed.
• Complete general maintenance, including fence repair, sign repair and replacement, and litter and debris removal. Restore work sites to a clean, safe condition.
• Repair and replace guardrail components and attenuators. Verify alignment, tension, and hardware integrity after repairs
• Perform concrete repairs to sidewalks and small structural elements near bridges or overpasses, including forming, pouring, and finishing, as trained.
• Fill and patch asphalt pavement potholes and other distresses. Oversee proper material selection, placement, and compaction.
• Set up and manage the Maintenance of Traffic and temporary traffic control per MUTCD and state standards. Supervise flagging and vehicle positioning to protect the crew and the public.
• Provide after-hours emergency and incident response during scheduled on-call rotations, including storm events and debris removal, to quickly restore safe conditions.
• Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections on vehicles and equipment. Report defects promptly and coordinate repairs with the shop.
• Perform and oversee preventive maintenance on company vehicles and equipment. Keep service records up to date and ensure tools are in good working order.
• Make minor low-voltage lighting and electrical repairs within training and authorization limits. Elevate larger issues to qualified personnel.
• Safely operate and direct the operation of equipment, including commercial mowers, tractors, mini-excavators, skid steers, UTVs, blowers, dump trailers, chain saws, line trimmers, forklifts, and related tools.
• Drive company trucks and tow trailers, arrow boards, and equipment as needed. Ensure proper load securement and compliance with DOT and company policies.
• Complete and review work orders, checklists, timekeeping, and material records accurately, both on paper and electronically. Upload photos and documents before-and-after conditions.
• Manage crew logistics, including loading and unloading tools, materials, and equipment. Maintain clean, organized vehicles, yards, and work sites.
• Follow all safety and environmental rules. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately and participate in corrective actions.
• Perform other duties as required to support schedules, client needs, and emergency operations.  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:    

Knowledge

• Work zone safety and MUTCD fundamentals, including traffic control setup, PPE, hazard recognition, and incident reporting.
• Standard highway maintenance methods, materials, tools, and equipment for vegetation control, drainage, guardrail, signs, asphalt patching, and basic concrete repairs.
• Equipment capabilities and limits for mowers, tractors, skid steers, mini‑excavators, forklifts, aerial lifts, and related equipment/attachments.
• Basic drainage and erosion control concepts, sightline clearance, and right‑of‑way maintenance practices.
• Company SOPs, DOT expectations, and environmental guidelines for material handling and disposal.

Skills

• Lead, train, and coach a crew; set clear goals, delegate tasks, and verify quality and safety in the field.
• Communicate clearly in English with managers, coworkers, clients, inspectors, and the public.
• Operate and direct the operation of small and light equipment safely; perform pre‑trip/post‑trip inspections and basic preventive maintenance.
• Read simple traffic control plans and field sketches; complete work orders, checklists, and time/material logs on a smartphone or tablet.
• Troubleshoot field issues and adapt plans to meet schedule, quality, and safety targets. 

Abilities

• Prioritize safety, stop work when conditions are unsafe, and maintain situational awareness near live traffic.
• Lift to 50 lbs., regularly carry up to 25 lbs., climb in and out of vehicles, bend, kneel, and work on uneven terrain for extended periods.
• Work outdoors in heat, humidity, rain, wind, and low‑light conditions; perform night, weekend, holiday, overtime, and emergency on‑call duties.
• Drive company trucks and tow trailers/arrow boards; secure loads and follow DOT and company policies.
• Adhere to on‑call rotation requirements and respond within required timeframes.  

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:  

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 23 years old (per company insurance requirements).
• Must possess an active and valid United States driver’s license with no restrictions and be able to pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check and maintain insurability under company policy.
• Ability to obtain Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) certification; company‑provided training.
• Successful completion of pre‑employment screenings, including federal background check, MVR, and drug screening; ongoing compliance with the Company Drug and Alcohol Policy.
• 5 years of full-time experience in highway maintenance, highway construction, or highway materials inspection.
• Education substitution option: up to four years of the required experience may be substituted with college or technical school coursework at the rate of one year of experience for every 30 semester hours completed in business administration, construction technology/management, or engineering.
• Willing and able to travel within the assigned district and report to different work sites; living within a reasonable response time to the yard is preferred.
• Compliance with the company's Drug and Alcohol Policy; able to pass pre-employment and random testing. A background check and job-related physical may be required.

Preferred qualifications

• Associate's or bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, engineering technology, or business administration.
• Prior crew lead experience in roadway maintenance.
• CDL with air brakes
• Familiarity with DOT standards and electronic work‑order/asset systems
• Two or more years of lead or supervisory experience in roadway or civil maintenance.
• Experience working under state DOT standards and with electronic work-order, asset management, and Maintenance Rating Program (MRP) systems.
• Current certifications, such as Maintenance of Traffic/Traffic Control Supervisor