Highway Department

Overview

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Review of Operation

The Herkimer County Highway Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 574 miles of roads, 66 bridges (5 co-owned with adjoining Fulton & Oneida counties), 128 large culverts (5′ to 20′), approximately 2,000 roadway culverts. The department has 44 full-time employees and 53 seasonal (including temporary) employees. The department also has a student program that provides jobs during the summer months for up to 17 students.

Maintenance operations and programs performed by the department include:

Road rehabilitation
Pavement striping
Slurry seal
Guide rail replacement/repair
Chip seal (oil & stone)
Roadside mowing
Sodding
Road sweeping
Cleaning ditches
Roadside garbage/trash pick up
Culvert replacement/repair
Sign installation, inspection, replacement & repair
Paving/patching/pothole repair
Hauling gravel/stone
Shoulder repair/installation
Highway equipment maintenance & repair
Bridge maintenance/repair
Facility snow & ice control
Catch basin clean-out/repair
Guide rail spraying
Tree & brush removal
Misc. work for other departments & municipalities

Capital projects and maintenance programs are supported by the highway department’s engineering staff that provides a variety of engineering services including, but not limited to pavement & roadway asset inventory, maintenance program management, surveying, highway design, construction inspection, management of files and records, etc. The department is equipped with equipment, computers and software for design/drafting, survey data collection/processing, geographic information systems (GIS) data collection & processing and sign retro-reflectivity testing.

The repair and maintenance of machinery/equipment is performed at the County Highway Department. Department mechanics perform preventative maintenance, repairs and inspection on all motorized equipment and motor vehicles. Department mechanics also provide support for construction equipment repair and fueling at project sites. The department also manages a complete body repair shop and on-site fuel management system.

The plowing and sanding of county roads is accomplished under contract with towns and villages for county roads within their municipality. Herkimer County also subcontracts with seven towns and one village for state snow and ice removal on approximately 89 miles of state highways.

The capital construction program is funded through the county road fund, state funding (CHIPS) and federal highway funding.

The county maintains a full-time traffic department that is responsible for the maintenance and installation of traffic signs. More than 10,650 signs are inspected tri-annually for condition and verification of installation.

A computer-generated record of inspection and sign inventory is maintained. New signs are installed for reconstruction projects and speed zones or other changing roadside conditions. Approximately 700 temporary signs are installed during a year for construction projects, maintenance programs and road closures.

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Closed 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Job Openings:

Seasonal Positions with the County Highway Department
(Approx. April through November)

Great new rates and benefits!

Number of limited positions currently available

NEW SEASONAL RATES / BENEFITS effective January 1, 2024
HEO $21.52/hr
Large MEO $20.37/hr
Small MEO $18.05/hr
Laborer $16.28/hr
Additional $1.00/hr if running low boys

Upgraded benefits:
Boot Allowance $75.00
Equipment Allowance $225.00

Vacation
Personal Time
Sick Time
NYS Retirement
Health Insurance Available
Paid CDL Training Provided On-Site (restrictions apply)
and More

Apply Now!