Important Recruitment Information for this vacancy:
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Job Posting closes: July 1, 2026
Kansas Department of Transportation
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) delivers transportation that keeps Kansans moving forward. Our employees are our most valuable resource. We depend on our employees and business partners to get the job done. KDOT strives to provide a work environment that motivates people and encourages them to be productive. KDOT is a great place to work, so come be part of our team!
Verification of identity and employment eligibility to work in the United States is required by federal law. For a list of acceptable documents that establish these criteria, please refer to the federal Form I-9. KDOT does not provide sponsorships for this position.
E-Verify: The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional information regarding E-Verify, please click here. For additional information regarding Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER) please click here.
About the Position:
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Who can apply: Anyone
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Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
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Full/Part-time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Regular
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Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
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Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
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Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes
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Search Keywords: Manhattan, Blaine, Wamego, Alma, Eskridge, Junction City, Council Grove, Abilene, Clay Center
Compensation:
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee
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Base Annual Salary: $40,872.00
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Base Hourly Pay: $19.65
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee – Class B CDL
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Base Annual Salary: $41,870.40
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Base Hourly Pay: $20.13
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee – Class A CDL
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Base Annual Salary: $42,806.40
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Base Hourly Pay: $20.58
Employment Benefits:
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Work-Life Balance Programs:
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Paid Leave: Vacation, Holidays, Parental, Military, Sick, Funeral and Jury Duty
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Employee Assistance Program
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For help managing daily life at no cost to you
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Infant at Work Program
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Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance
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First-Day Coverage:
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Medical Insurance
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Dental Insurance
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Vison Insurance
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Tax Advantage Accounts: HSA, HRA, FSA with qualifying plans
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Life Insurance:
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Employer paid basic group life
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Optional group life insurance available at a reasonable cost.
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Retirement:
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KPERS and Deferred Compensation
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Other Benefits:
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Tuition reimbursement
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Paid on-the-job training programs.
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Personal and Professional Development Opportunities
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Employee discounts with the STAR Program
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And more!
Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…
Position Summary & Responsibilities:
Position Summary:
The Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee position(s) in Manhattan, Kansas provides employees with supervised on-the-job training in the operation of mechanical tools and light to heavy equipment used to maintain highways, rights-of-way, roads, facility grounds and related areas. Assignments are selected to provide sequential experience in practical applications of training that have been provided in controlled settings. The work that is assigned will begin with closely supervised, specific routine tasks and will progress in difficulty and independence of performance until equal to the tasks that are considered full-performance Highway Maintenance work.
Upon successful completion of the training period and required qualifications, this position will advance to Highway Maintenance Worker I, with eligibility to participate in the Highway Maintenance Worker progression program.
Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:
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Operates KDOT equipment including trucks, mowers, loaders.
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Performs manual work associated with the maintenance of highway systems: Including, but not limited to, erecting and replacing signs, erecting fence and guardrail, painting, patching, loading or unloading supplies, servicing rest areas, and litter pickup.
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Receives training in operation and maintenance of equipment, and highway repair methods and procedures.
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Services equipment.
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Performs other related work as assigned, such as emergency operations during snow and ice control operations.
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Due to the nature of the work, this position may/will be required to work additional hours when needed, including nights and weekends. Additional hours will be assigned by the supervisor depending upon the needs of the agency.
View the full position description
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee:
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Valid Driver’s License at the time of appointment
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee – B:
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CDL Class B license with tanker and air brake endorsements
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Highway Maintenance Worker Trainee – A:
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CDL Class A license with tanker and air brake endorsements
Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:
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A Class B CDL must be obtained within 90 days of hire and maintained. A Class A CDL must be obtained within one year of hire and maintained. KDOT provides CDL training at no cost to the employee.
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In exchange for KDOT paying the costs and expenses of the CDL training, employees will be required to sign a repayment agreement. Details of the agreement can be found here:
CDL Repayment Agreement
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This position is subject to pre-employment physical capacity testing. The selected candidate will be required to pass the screening as a condition of employment.
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This CDL position is subject to drug and alcohol testing under the authority of the US Department of Transportation. The selected candidate will be required to pass a DOT pre-employment/pre-duty drug test as a condition of employment in this position. (This position will also require you to participate in random testing, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.)
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Any Commercial Driver who has received a Confirmed Positive Result or the Equivalent and has not successfully completed all Rehabilitation Program requirements and follow-up testing requirements is not eligible for this position. (Per SOM 2.1.10).
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Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law. If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions
Recruiter Contact Information:
Job Application Process
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First Sign in or register as a New User.
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Complete or update your contact information on the Careers -> “My Account Information” page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
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Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and submit when it is complete.
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Manage your drafted and submitted applications on the Careers -> “My Job Applications” page.
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Check your email and the “My Job Notifications” page for written communications from the Recruiter.
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Email – sent to the Preferred email on the “My Account Information” page.
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Notifications – view the Careers -> “My Job Notifications” page.
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"
Optional Documents for this Application to be Complete
Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page
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Transcripts (if substituting education)
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DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application
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Resume (or choose existing if you have one)
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Cover Letter
Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents”
How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference
How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference
Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
