Lead Highway Maintenance Worker

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936. For submitted application inquiries please contact careers@milwaukeecountywi.gov. Please note: an online application must be submitted for consideration.

We are searching for Changemakers to come and join our team and discover our diverse and versatile community of independent spirits and unique talents, we are redefining the way you think about Milwaukee County!

Closing Date: 2/23/26 or upon the receipt of the first 50 application submissions.

Lead Highway Maintenance Worker

Department: Department of Transportation - Highway Maintenance

Full time, Hourly

Hourly Range: $25.37 - $38.03

Job Summary:

The primary duties of the Lead Highway Maintenance Worker position will be to assist the Supervisor with hands-on training of maintenance workers. The lead position we are currently recruiting will be the primary operator of the road paint truck, which requires extensive knowledge of not only the paint truck and specialized painting equipment but also road marking standards, paint types, and additives. In addition to lead responsibilities, this position also requires ability to perform all other highway maintenance duties as needed. The position's shift hours could vary from one day to the other depending on the type of road closure required to perform the necessary maintenance.

Work Schedule: Employee must have regular and frequent on-call availability to work irregular, unpredictable, and particularly long hours as needed. Availability on workdays, evenings, nights, overtime, shift rotations and weekends are also required.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the Highway Maintenance Supervisor in scheduling, prioritizing, assigning, and directing the work of the Highway Paint Crew.
• Lead a crew of Highway Maintenance Workers in the marking of state and county roadways, parking lots, graffiti removals, and other painting projects on County, State, and Interstate roadways.
• Operate various forms of construction equipment including but not limited to, dual axel and tandem axel dump trucks, vac-alls, roller compactors, anti-icing units, sewer jetters, arrow boards, road work signs, and hand tools.
• To operate, maintain, and train on various forms of special equipment relating to the Highway Paint Crew including but not limited to the paint truck, walk behind sprayers, and any new specialized tools or equipment.
• To maintain records regarding tools, materials, and supplies. To notify the Highway Maintenance Supervisor on inventory needs.
• As well as other duties as may be assigned by Highway Management.
• Ability to push, pull, lift and carry 60 lbs.

Required Education, License/Certification and Experiences:

• Current residency within the State of Wisconsin upon application required
• High School diploma or GED required
• At least three (3) years or more work experience in highway maintenance required.
• Intermediate knowledge of all related computer and software applications pertaining to the road marking paint spraying trucks
• Preferred knowledge of various types of road marking and painting equipment and Federal and State traffic marking regulations.

Licenses:

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Air Brake endorsement (no airbrake restrictions) and Tanker Endorsement (N) required at the time of application and maintained during employment

Additional Comments:

The Lead Highway Maintenance Worker will be assisting the Highway Maintenance Supervisor assigned to the Highway Paint Crew daily. This includes prioritizing workloads, maintaining accurate tool and material inventories, scheduling or leading training for new staff on equipment, tools, and procedures. The Lead Highway Maintenance Worker will be the lead laborer and set performance standards as it pertains to the daily job duties of the Highway Paint Crew.

NOTE: This original application is open to permanent residents of the state of Wisconsin at the time of application. In accordance with Section 11, Rule 3 of the Civil Service Rules a non-competitive examination will be held for this position. The non-competitive examination will consist of criteria deemed appropriate by the Director of Human Resources.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.