Highway Maintenance Worker 1 | Rest Area

Description

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT leads an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

The Opportunity

WSDOT is seeking a motivated and dependable Highway Maintenance Worker 1 to help maintain and enhance the traveling public’s experience at rest areas throughout the North Central Region. This position plays a vital role in preserving clean, safe, and welcoming facilities at the Winchester, Quincy, and Blue Lake rest areas while supporting the agency’s commitment to safety, mobility, and customer service. Through effective communication and teamwork, this role helps ensure maintenance activities are completed efficiently and professionally.

In this position, you will perform a variety of facility, highway, and right-of-way maintenance activities, including cleaning, repairs, and routine upkeep of rest area grounds and infrastructure. Your efforts will directly contribute to providing a safe, reliable, and comfortable environment for travelers while supporting the efficient movement of people, goods, and services throughout the region.

What to Expect

Typical schedule is Thursday through Monday, 11:00 am to 7:30 pm 40-hours per week, for 5, 8-hour days. Weekends and holidays may be required to respond to non-scheduled call-out emergencies. Must be able to report in service to assigned duty station within 45 minutes of an after-hours call. Work alternate and emergency shifts as situations dictate. Respond to emergency situations in all weather conditions; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, alone or a part of a team as needed. Work long hours, including some night work. Occasional standby and call-back may be required. Rotational night shift is required.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Highway Maintenance Worker 1 will:

• Ensure that restrooms are clean and operational in the 4 rest areas within Area 2. 
• Picking up trash, removing graffiti, paint as needed. 
• Daily removal of gum from floors and sidewalks, sweeps, power washes, squeegees, mop floors, disinfects, scours, cleans all wash basins, toilets, urinals and wipes down walls, (on occasion from floor to ceiling). 
• Cleans and disinfects hand dryers, toilet seat dispensers and sanitary napkin boxes. 
• Refills all dispensers with paper and soap. 
• Maintain and unclog plugged drains and urinals, toilets and sinks, clean and disinfect afterwards. 
• Cleans vents, replace air filters, remove spider webs, replace light bulbs and clean filters. 
• Pick up supplies and take water samples as needed. 
• Empty ashtrays and trash containers into large garbage cans. 
• Pick up litter and debris around restrooms, parking area and pet area. 
• Repair or replace handles, hinges, stall doors, dispenser’s, faucets, toilet seats, urinals, flush valves, plumbing parts, signs on doors, walls and drinking fountains. 
• Repair damage caused by vandals, remove graffiti, blood and human waste. 
• Mow four rest areas and office lawns, edge, weed eat, prune shrubs and trees. 
• Repair irrigation systems by replacing sprinkler heads, broken lines and sprinkler head parts. 
• Open and shut down irrigation system and RV stations in Fall and Spring.
• Service and maintain lawn mower, gas trimmer, leaf blower and other mower tools and equipment. 
• Wash vehicles. 
• Maintain landscaped areas to include pruning of trees and shrubs, maintenance and repair of the irrigation system; picking litter in landscaped area and parking area; mowing.

Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, the following competencies are required:

• Licensing & Certification: Possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to drive a state vehicle at the time of hire. Ability to obtain and maintain a First Aid Certification within 6 months of hire. Ability to obtain and maintain a Flagging Card within 6 months of hire.
• Safety & Risk Management: Demonstrated knowledge of workplace safety principles and the ability to follow established safety policies, procedures, and regulations. Experience recognizing hazards, utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and working safely in environments involving confined spaces, fall protection requirements, hazardous materials, or other high-risk conditions.
• Safety Planning & Compliance: Ability to participate in safety planning activities, including the development and implementation of Pre-Activity Safety Plans (PASP), attending required safety training, and applying safety procedures to daily work activities.
• Hazardous Materials Handling: Knowledge of chemical handling and storage practices, including the ability to interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and follow established procedures for the safe use, mixing, transportation, and disposal of materials.
• Independent Work & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating accountability, reliability, adaptability, and a commitment to achieving shared goals in a maintenance or operational environment.
• Communication & Customer Service: Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively with coworkers, supervisors, customers, contractors, partner agencies, and members of the public to exchange information, coordinate work activities, and resolve issues.
• Working at Heights & Physical Capability: Ability to safely perform work in physically demanding environments, including working at elevated heights above 25 feet over land or water, lifting and carrying materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, and performing manual labor in varying weather and environmental conditions.
• Respectful Workplace & Inclusion: Demonstrated ability to contribute to a professional, respectful, and inclusive work environment by treating others with dignity, fostering positive working relationships, and supporting equal opportunity in the workplace.
• Growth Mindset: Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth. 
• Service-Oriented: Takes action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the competencies above, the following are also required: 

• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and perform emergency callouts/stand-by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Ability to respond to assigned duty station with 45 minutes of an after-hours callout.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also demonstrate:

• Traffic Control & Work Zone Safety: Demonstrated knowledge of traffic control principles and work zone safety practices, including the ability to apply traffic control procedures in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Ability to assist with planning, setting up, maintaining, and removing traffic control devices to provide safe conditions for workers and the traveling public.
• Maintenance Operations: Demonstrated experience performing maintenance activities in a transportation, construction, facilities, grounds, utilities, or related operational environment. Ability to inspect, maintain, repair, and improve infrastructure, equipment, facilities, or right-of-way assets while following established procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.

Important Notes 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• This position is not eligible for remote work.
• In addition to the salary range listed, a general wage increase of 2% will be applied for all state employees on July 1, 2026.
• To review the full Position Description, please follow the directions in the “Contact Us” section of this posting.
• Work is performed primarily outdoors in all weather conditions and often near moving traffic and heavy equipment, requiring heightened situational awareness and strict adherence to safety practices. The role involves physically demanding tasks, including deploying traffic control devices, flagging, and operating maintenance vehicles and equipment, with extended periods of standing and walking. Employees must wear appropriate PPE at all times. 
• In addition to base salary, employees may be entitled to other forms of compensation depending on the type, duties, or location of the position. For union-represented positions, more information on other forms of compensation can be found in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements. Information on other compensation types for non-represented positions can be found in Chapter 357-28 of the Washington Administrative Code. 
• This is a non-permanent opportunity, expected to last 4-5 months.
• WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system, therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 12 paid holidays, full-time employees may earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. 

Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT?

How to Apply

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. 

In order to be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

Please click the “APPLY” button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included, and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. All persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/ or gender identity, are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the recruiter listed.

Contact Us

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter at amanda.strebeck@wsdot.wa.gov Please be sure to reference Highway Maintenance Worker 1 #20151 in the subject line.