Street & Utility Maintenance Assistant Operator

The City of Whitefish is actively recruiting for a Street & Utility Maintenance Assistant Operator for the Public Works department.  We welcome your inquiries and encourage you to apply!  If you have a passion for serving the public sector, this may be the perfect fit for you.   We are hiring for two full-time positions: one is for an immediate fill and the other will be filled as temporary with the potential for permanent hire.

Fiscal Year 2026:  Salary range is $23.90 - $34.11 per hour.  Starting pay rate is $23.90 per hour.

*SALARY CLASSIFICATION

The probationary period for this position shall be as specified in the collective bargaining agreement. Upon completion of one year of employment, with satisfactory performance of all duties as required, the employee will be promoted to Operator I, Classification Range 16, with a minimum 5% increase in pay.

One of the fastest growing cities in Montana, Whitefish is consistently rated one of the best small towns in America and was named one of the top 25 ski towns in the world by National Geographic. It is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and the base of Big Mountain – home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. Whitefish also boasts over 36 miles of natural surface single-track mountain biking and hiking trails with 10 trailheads, golfing, world class dining, two professional live theater companies, and is only thirty minutes from Glacier National Park.

Benefits of working for the City of Whitefish include:

• Health, Dental, Orthodontic, and Vision Insurance (FY27 the City pays 81% of monthly premium, employee pays 19% of monthly premium pre-tax)
• Generous employer contribution toward Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for those who choose the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) 
• Free annual biometric screening - Employee and spouse/partner can earn up to $200 incentive for participation
• City Wellness Program - City pays $30 per month to employees to use toward wellness
• Corporate rate membership to The Wave health club (billed to City and deducted through payroll)
• Montana Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) - includes employer and employee contributions
• 15 days of paid vacation earned per year (starting)
• 12 days of paid sick leave earned per year (starting)
• 12.5 paid holidays per year
• One paid personal day per year (8 hours)
• $25,000 employer paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy for employee and $5,000 for spouse/dependents.  Voluntary life is available to employee, spouse/partner, and dependents, monthly premium paid by employee.
• 125 Cafeteria Plans - Optional Pre-Tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Free Employee Assistance Program - 6 free counseling sessions per issue, per person in household 
• Optional Deferred Compensation Plan (457) – Pretax and Roth Available
• Optional Aflac Plans including Accident, Short-Term Disability, Cancer, Hospital and Critical Illness
• May be eligible for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF) - click here to learn more and to understand your eligibility
• City paid continuing education, training and development (as approved by supervisor and City Manager)
• FMLA - up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year (rolling calendar year) available after working 1250 hours within previous 12 months and employed for 12 months for qualifying events. Accrued leave utilized concurrently.
• Bereavement Leave - up to 5 paid days off for death of immediate family member
• Jury & Witness Duty Leave
• Military Leave
• 15% -20% discount on Verizon voice plans and select data plans
• T-Mobile exclusive offers with Work Perks – 15% off the Go5G Plus or Go5G Next rate plans
• AT&T discounts also available
• Parks & Recreation After School and Summer Day Camp services provided at no cost to employees
• Whitefish Workforce Assistance Program - designed to help full-time, part-time and seasonal equivalent employees to successfully live and work in the Whitefish area by providing rental assistance – click  here to learn more and understand your eligibility.

APPLY BY:  It is in your best interest to submit your online application, resume, and cover letter early.  This position will remain open until filled.  For assistance with online application process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 406-863-2464 or email [email protected].

EOE-AA-M/F-VET-DISABILITY

GENERAL PURPOSE

This is an entry level position performing a variety of construction, maintenance and physical work tasks. Operates a variety of general equipment, heavy equipment and trucks utilized in construction, maintenance and repair of public infrastructure; performs a variety of semi-skilled and skilled tasks in the maintenance, repair and construction of streets, alleys, water, sewer and storm drainage systems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the direct supervision of the Street and Utility Maintenance Foreman, Sewer Collection Foreman, the Street and Utility Maintenance Supervisor, or designated supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed. It is intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Other duties may be required as assigned.

This position serves an important role in the operations of the city and requires a consistent and dependable presence during the assigned hours of work. It is expected that every employee should be on time, fully prepared, every day that they are scheduled to work.

Operates a variety of construction/maintenance vehicles including dump truck, utility truck, plow truck, water truck, sweeper, and small general vehicles.

Operates on an assigned or as needed basis some general and heavy equipment such as motor grader, loader, backhoe, excavator, roller, asphalt paver, snow removal and ice control equipment.

Ensures the proper maintenance of equipment and tools by cleaning and checking equipment and tools after use, reporting any deficiencies.

Performs all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards. Participates in the City safety program.

Performs required labor involved in construction and maintenance projects as part of a crew, including pavement cutting, ditch digging, patching potholes, cleaning sewer and storm sewer systems, water and sewer pumping station construction/maintenance, main and service repair/replacement, install and repair transportation signs, barricades, and traffic control devices per MUTCD.

Performs some or all of the duties of maintenance, as required or assigned.

This position may also be required to fulfill call out schedules, emergency responses, or be available on a standby basis as needed by the Public Works Department or required by the supervisor. Required weekend work shifts will not be implemented until a provision for such is included in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

1. Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; and
2. Familiar with flexible pavements, grades, drainage systems, underground construction methods and procedures, and general familiarity with water and sewer systems maintenance; and
3. One (1) year experience in road maintenance and construction or heavy equipment operation and maintenance activity.
4. A driving record free of accidents and citations for moving violations for the previous five (5) years.
5. Other experience and education that specifically meets and is equivalent to the requirements specified above.

1. Working knowledge of heavy-equipment operating principles; of hazards and safety precautions common to heavy equipment operations; working knowledge of methods, materials and tools used in street and utility maintenance work.  
2. Skill in operation of listed tools and equipment.  
3. Ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; observe proper safety precautions; establish effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public; perform heavy manual tasks under varying weather conditions; drive and operate a variety of equipment under varying conditions; work from construction specifications or blueprints.

Valid State of Montana commercial motor vehicle operators’ license, Class B Type II, or the ability to obtain same within six (6) months following the hire date.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motorized vehicles and equipment, including grader, back-hoe, dump truck, plow truck, pickup truck, utility truck, street sweeper, jetter/inductor truck, street roller, manlift, tamper, plate compactor, saws, pumps, compressor, sander, generator, common hand and power tools, shovels, wrenches, leak detection device, mobile radio, phone.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.