Highway Maintenance Technician I - Herbicide

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Highway Maintenance Technician, Herbicide, is responsible for safe vegetation control on highway projects. This includes mixing, calibrating, and applying herbicides along roadsides and medians to maintain clear sightlines. Key tasks involve inspecting treatment areas, identifying target species, setting up traffic control, and documenting applications to comply with regulations.

You will operate spray trucks and sprayers, perform daily inspections, and maintain equipment. Adhering to safety and environmental standards is crucial, including PPE use and proper chemical handling. When not applying herbicides, you'll assist with general maintenance tasks like litter removal, mowing, and drainage upkeep, supporting safe and reliable roadways.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Applies herbicides safely and accurately per product labels, Department of Agriculture rules, and Department of Transportation standards. Calibrates spray equipment, verifies mix rates, and documents all required details.
• Oversees herbicide applications performed by other employees, ensuring proper PPE use, correct application techniques, and compliance with label, state, and DOT requirements.
• Inspects treatment areas to identify target and non-target vegetation, selects appropriate products and rates, and plans timing to reduce drift and runoff risk. Follows integrated vegetation management practices.
• Sets up and maintains temporary traffic control as required for shoulder and right-of-way work. Follows MUTCD and company procedures for signs, cones, flagging, and vehicle positioning.
• Operates and maintains spray equipment, including truck-mounted, UTV-mounted, and backpack sprayers. Performs daily pre-use checks, cleans nozzles and filters, and keeps accurate calibration records.
• Handles, stores, mixes, and disposes of herbicides and containers per label instructions and environmental regulations. Completes triple-rinse procedures and manages spill response if needed.
• Uses hand and power tools such as trimmers, edgers, pole saws, and blowers to support vegetation control and maintain clear sightlines around signs, guardrails, and intersections.
• Supports general roadway maintenance by cleaning and grading ditches and drainage structures, maintaining shoulders and slopes, and removing litter and debris.
• Performs minor repairs to fences, signs, and other roadway assets as directed. Restores work sites to a clean, safe condition.
• Conducts pre-trip and post-trip inspections on vehicles and equipment. Reports defects promptly and coordinates with the shop for repairs.
• Logs time, locations, weather conditions, application rates, products used, equipment hours, and before-and-after photos using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Completes paper forms when required.
• Loads, secures, transports, and unloads equipment, tools, chemicals, and materials safely. Maintains organized vehicles, storage cabinets, and chemical inventories.
• Follows all safety procedures, including required PPE, heat stress prevention, and situational awareness near live traffic. Report hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately.
• Provides after-hours emergency response during scheduled on-call rotations, including storm cleanup and urgent vegetation or debris removal.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support project schedules and team goals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge

Skills

Abilities

Additional Requirements

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE :

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications