Highway Maintenance / Equipment Operator
Salary
$26.41 - $37.02 Hourly
Location
Public Works Facility 10705 125th Ave SE Becker MN 55308, MN
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
2026-01742
Department
Public Works
Opening Date
07/23/2026
Closing Date
8/11/2026 11:59 PM Central
Job Summary
The Sherburne County Public Works Department is seeking a highly motivated and experienced candidate to join our Highway Maintenance team either at our Becker or Zimmerman facility location. Sherburne County is one of the fastest growing counties in Minnesota, where you can find a nice blend of suburban and rural life. Our Public Works Department is responsible for 402 miles of road within the County and there is always something that needs attention somewhere. We pride ourselves on providing an excellent team environment that strives to be efficient and safe while serving our County.
Typically, we work a Monday - Thursday, 6:00am - 4:30pm schedule in the summer and Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm schedule in the winter. Additional hours will be required during winter mainly for snow plowing. Other additional hours may be required for storm damage cleanup, high-priority sign repairs or other emergency situations throughout the year. When called in outside of normal work hours employees are eligible to receive compensation for their time or choose to add hours into a comp bank, which may be used for time off. We strive to be flexible with schedules, especially in the summer with the understanding that snow and ice control in the winter is a top priority.
This position performs highway maintenance tasks to maintain and repair Sherburne County roads, bridges, related structures and highway maintenance equipment to provide for the safety and adequate travel and accessibility for the public. Includes all aspects of maintenance, heavy equipment operation, construction, and sign/traffic control creation and installation.
Learn more about our Public Works Department, workplace culture and a brief overview of our employee benefits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Identify potential hazards and establish safe work practices for work crew and traveling public while performing daily tasks in all types of weather and volumes of traffic.
Operate heavy trucks with snow plows, underbody blades and wings to remove snow and ice accumulation. Set up, calibrate and operate computer-controlled sanders with liquid application tanks.
Identify, plan and execute complex traffic control in work zones depending on the direction, type of road and volume of traffic. Uses wide array of traffic control devices and communicating equipment (visual & verbal) to efficiently and safely move traffic through work zone.
Operate heavy equipment. Calibrate, set-up, adjust and operate trucks, loaders, graders, skid steers, tractors with attachments, shoulder machines, etc. Operates cranes, air compressor, hydraulic hammer, hydraulic post puller, drills, and hand tools.
Maintain and repair roadways and bridges to include: grading surfaces, laying down gravel, paving roads, patching holes, repairing culverts and maintaining roadway shoulders.
Precisely install, remove, inspect, and replace all signs, posts, guard rails, traffic signals and painting all pavement markings according to the Minnesota uniform traffic control manual.
Analyze and maintain county drainage systems. Locates, catalogs, inspects, cleans, repairs, removes and installs storm sewer, catch basins, culverts and drainage ditches. Operations include backhoes, dozers, skidloaders, graders, maps, laser levels, metal detectors and jetters.
Maintain roadways and right of way. Operate equipment (skid loaders, tractors, aerial boom truck, grinder, chipper, chainsaws) to remove trees and limbs from roads and right of way. Maintenance tasks include mowing, vegetation spraying, ditch bank restoration, turf establishment, dead animal and debris removal.
Provide work direction and oversight to seasonal workers.
Create, update and maintain records and files on computer and paper.
Attend training, educational and staff meetings as assigned.
Ability to respond to calls for service outside of normal work schedule.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent; and
One year paid experience in the operation of highway construction and/or maintenance equipment; and
Valid Class B Minnesota Drivers License with requirement to obtain Class A Minnesota Drivers License within 1 year from date of hire.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Valid Class A Minnesota Drivers License is preferred.
Experience with snow removal and ice control operations in a road system environment is preferred.
A Tanker Endorsement is required for some equipment and may be obtained after hire.
Supplemental Information
Must be able to engage in strenuous physical activities and work in temperature extremes. Appointment is contingent upon ability to pass a physical examination, a drug test, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension criminal history check.
Candidates will be contacted via email if youre selected for an interview after the job posting closes. First round of interviews are tentatively scheduled for August 20, 2026.
Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
Medical (employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.
County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans
Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy
Optional Benefits:
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Hospital Care Insurance
Deferred Compensation Plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.
12 paid holidays
Paid Parental Leave
On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Public Employees Retirement (PERA):
Part-Time employees working less than 30 hours per week, Seasonal, Temporary and Interns are not eligible for benefits.
01
Which of the following best describes your highest completed level of education?
02
You must have a valid drivers license to qualify for this position. Which of the following best describes your current Minnesota Drivers License status:
03
How many years of paid full time experience in the operation of highway construction and/or road maintenance equipment do you have? (experience must be reflected in application work history section)
04
Please list the employer, dates of employment in which the experience mentioned in the above question was obtained. Experience must also be listed in the work history portion of your application to receive credit. If no experience, state "n/a".
05
This position requires strenuous physical activities and working in temperature extremes. Are you able and willing to work under these conditions?
06
Are you able to be on call for clearing and maintaining roads as necessary, including nights, weekends, and holidays? This position has opportunity for additional compensation when called in out of normal work hours.
07
Check below the heavy equipment operation that you have worked with in a professional setting for a minimum of two years or more. Time worked with this equipment must also be listed in the Work Experience section of your application (check all that apply).
08
If you checked working with heavy equipment in the question above, list the employer(s) involved where you obtained this experience. Experience must be noted in your job history for credit. If no experience write none.
09
Check below the tasks that you have completed in a professional setting for a minimum of two years. Time worked with these tasks must be also listed in the Work Experience section of your application (check all that apply).
10
If you checked any tasks in the question above, list the employer(s) involved where you obtained this experience. Experience must be noted in your job history for credit. If no experience write none.
11
How many years of paid full time experience do you have operating single axle and tandem trucks? This does not include driving a personal pick-up truck.
12
List the employer(s) involved, the specific equipment used, and procedures for the question above. Experience must be noted in your job history for credit. If no experience, write none.
13
How many years of full time paid experience do you have with snow removal and ice control operations in a road system environment?
14
List the employers involved, and the specific equipment for the question above. Experience must be noted in your job history for credit. If no experience, write none.
15
List any traffic violations or citations you have received in the past ten years. If no violations or citations, write none.
16
Veterans Preference: Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to the exam results. Points are awarded subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a Summary of Benefits Letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or an equivalent letter from a service retirement board. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veterans DD214 and Summary of Benefits Letter from USDVAFL or death certificate. All required documentation must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the posted closing date. Are you applying for veterans preference points?
17
If, during or after your interview, Sherburne County determines that you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony for which a jail sentence was or could have been imposed, you may be disqualified from this position by operation of law or county policy. I have read and understand this statement.
18
I affirm that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may disqualify me for consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Sherburne County for up to three years.
Required Question
Employer Sherburne County
Address Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Drive NW
Elk River, Minnesota, 55330-1692
Phone 763-765-3001
Website http://www.co.sherburne.mn.us
| Location | MN |
| Salary | $26.41–$37.02 Per Hour |