Maintenance & Equipment Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Salary Range: $27.66 - $37.34 per hour
Application Deadline: September 8, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m.
Interview Date: September 18, 2026
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UAW
Department: Highway - Public Works

This position operates a variety of heavy and light equipment and performs skilled and semi-skilled manual labor to maintain and repair County highways, bridges, and other County properties. Work includes road maintenance, snow and ice control, equipment operation, traffic control, general maintenance, and emergency response.

Employees in this position play an important role in keeping County roads safe and accessible and must be available to plow and maintain roads during emergency weather conditions.

Applicants must possess or be able to obtain the following, as applicable:

• Valid Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Ability to obtain Class A (CDL) within 12 months of hire.

• Tanker Endorsement preferred at time of hire, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

• Valid Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Health Card.

• Erosion Control Installer certification preferred, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

• Pesticide Applicator License, Categories A and J, preferred, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

• Traffic Control Flagger Certification, or ability to obtain within one year of hire.

This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing pursuant to applicable federal and state requirements.

• High school diploma or GED.

• One year of equipment operation experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.

This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing pursuant to applicable federal and state requirements.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Operate heavy and light equipment used in highway and infrastructure maintenance, including dump/plow trucks, graders, loaders, excavators, dozers, sweepers, rollers, tractors, mowers, pavers, tractor-trailers, and other specialized equipment.

• Plow and sand County roads during winter weather and emergency conditions.

• Apply sand and salt for snow and ice control.

• Grade and maintain County roads and shoulders.

• Perform gravel pit and screening operations.

• Clear trees, brush, and other vegetation from County property and rights-of-way.

• Spray and control weeds as assigned.

• Install, maintain, and steam culverts.

• Patch and repair roads and bridges.

• Lay asphalt and assist with other roadway construction and maintenance activities.

• Set up work zones, barricades, safety signs, and road closures using proper traffic-control procedures.

• Perform skilled and semi-skilled manual labor related to County highways, bridges, facilities, and other properties.

• Conduct routine maintenance and care of assigned equipment.

• Inspect equipment to ensure safe and proper operation.

• Assist mechanics with more complex equipment repairs as needed.

• Perform shop and grounds cleanup and maintenance.

• Complete required MnDOT pre-trip and post-trip vehicle and equipment inspections.

• Record time spent on road projects and other work assignments using electronic devices for cost accounting and payroll purposes.

• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

The successful candidate should have knowledge of or the ability to perform work involving:

• Operation and maintenance of light and heavy public works equipment.

• Construction and highway maintenance principles and practices.

• Equipment operating and preventive maintenance techniques.

• Safety practices and hazards associated with motorized equipment, road construction, and highway maintenance.

• General labor and maintenance activities.

• Safe operation of tools, machinery, and specialized equipment.

• Reading manuals, specifications, drawings, and blueprints.

• Troubleshooting equipment and systems related to assigned work.

• Preparing accurate records and logs.

• Basic computer operation, related software, and simple data entry.

• Communicating effectively and following oral and written instructions.

• Working effectively with coworkers, supervisors, other County employees, and members of the public.

• Providing and receiving work direction in a professional manner.

This is a physically demanding position that requires work outdoors and in a variety of weather and environmental conditions.

Employees may be required to:

• Work in extreme heat, cold, snow, rain, and other weather conditions.

• Lift and carry up to 65 pounds on an occasional basis.

• Frequently or continually bend, twist, kneel, squat, climb, reach, grasp, pinch, and perform repetitive hand and wrist movements.

• Work around heavy equipment and high-speed traffic.

• Work around fuels, chemicals, asphalt, diesel and gasoline fumes, utilities, confined spaces, and other occupational hazards.

• Safely operate hand tools, power tools, construction equipment, trucks, loaders, graders, mowers, saws, hydraulic equipment, and other equipment related to the position.

• Distinguish between colors when required by the work assignment.

Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, holidays, irregular hours, and extended shifts, particularly during snowstorms, emergencies, and other weather-related events.

Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

Employees in this position may encounter Not Public Data as defined by Minnesota or federal law while performing their duties. Access to such information must be limited to what is necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities.

Employees are expected to appropriately safeguard confidential information and comply with Mower County Data Practices and Data Security policies, as well as applicable state and federal law.

Mower County offers a competitive benefits package that may include:

• Competitive pay

• Paid time off

• 13 paid holidays

• Minnesota PERA retirement

• Weekend, night, and holiday premiums, when applicable

• Health insurance, including some plans with a $0 monthly employee premium

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• On-site fitness room

• Additional benefit and retirement programs

• Minnesota Paid Leave Program

• Employer-paid short-term disability