Highway Maintenance / Equipment Operator Salary $26.41
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 Description Benefits Questions 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 p erforms 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 rail s , 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 Driver's License with requirement to obtain Class A Minnesota Driver's License within 1 year from date of hire. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Valid Class A Minnesota Driver's 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 you're 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? Bachelors Degree Two
- Years Post Secondary Education or Associate's Degree One
- Year Post Secondary Education High School Diploma or GED None of the Above 02 You must have a valid driver's license to qualify for this position.
Which of the following best describes your current Minnesota Driver's License status: Valid MN Class A Valid MN Class B Valid MN Driver's License Do not have current MN Driver's License 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) 4+ years More than 3 years, but less than 4 years More than 2 years, but less than 3 years More than 1 year, but less than 2 years Less than 1 year No experience 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? Yes No 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. Yes No 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). Front End Loader Skidsteer and/or Dozer Backhoe Chainsaw Vacuum Truck and/or Broom Sweeper No experience operating any of the heavy equipment listed above 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). Patching and crack filling of bituminous roadways Hauling of material including fill, gravel, and bituminous mix Brush and tree cutting in County Road right of way Assembly, installation, and maintenance of county traffic control devices. Conduct flagging operations and installation of detours for emergency and county road projects Construction vehicle and equipment maintenance Storm drain/culvert installation and/or repair No experience with any of the tasks listed above 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. 5 years or more experience More than 2 years, but less than 5 years More than 1 year, but less than 2 years Less than 1 year experience No experience 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? More than 5 years More than 2 years, but less than 5 years More than 1 year, but less than 2 years Less than 1 year experience No experience 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 veteran's 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 veteran's preference points? NO YES
- veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge
- see MN Stat 197.447 YES
- veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability YES
- spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties) YES
- spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and had a service connected disability 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. Yes No 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. Yes No 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
