Roads Maintainer, Sweeper

Job Number: 5056 
Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
Vacancy Reason: Backfill
Temp Contract Length: 5 Months 
Location: 2828 Kressler Rd - Heidelberg Office/Garage 
Job Category: Transportation 
Number of Positions: 1 
Department: Operations Programs 
Division: Transportation Services 
Hours of Work: 40
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:00pm 
Union:  CUPE 1656 
Grade: CUPE 1656 Grade 005 
Salary Range: $34.99**
Posting Date: October 27, 2026 at 12:00am 

**Note: As per the collective agreement, probationary employees will receive 5% less than the regular permanent rate of the classification they are employed in, until the completion of three (3) months continuous service or sixty (60) actual days worked, whichever is the greater. They will then commence receiving the regular permanent rate.     


About Us!

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations.  Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others 
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.  Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

To perform general roads maintenance activities on Regional roads and roadsides; to operate street sweeping equipment, and appropriate attachments, to sweep or clear Regional roads and intersections, including curbs and catch basins; to operate other vehicles in this classification and to perform winter snow and ice control duties and general summer roads maintenance duties, using hand tools and maintenance equipment as required.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs daily maintenance circle checks, in accordance with Regional specifications, before using equipment.  Performs minor repairs or replacements of parts as required.  Completes checklist; advises supervisor or lead hand of any requirements for additional service/repair.  Greases equipment and adds fluids, such as oil or windshield washer fluid, as required.  Checks wheel lugs and torques them as required.
• Primarily operates a street sweeper in order to sweep or clear Regional roads and roadsides, including curbs and gutters, and to clean landfill roads or other Regional property.  Removes gravel or stone at Regional road intersections.
• Watches for objects too large for sweeper intake, removing from ground surface where sweeper is being used and relocating for appropriate disposal.
• Uses vacuum nozzle attachment to pick up leaves in the autumn.  Uses vacuum attachments to clean out catch basins and ditch inlets on an annual basis.  Hooks up attachments as required.
• Occasionally uses a hydro excavator as required to assist Sign Maintainers in installing/removing guideposts.
• In response to accidents or spill situations, operates sweeper to pick up covering sand or sawdust material from roadway and clear affected area of debris or liquid.
• Performs other sweeping duties, such as removing mud or debris tracked onto roadways from construction sites.
• Performs the maintenance and cleaning of bridge decks and structural components by sweeping decks when required.  
• Cleans out charcoal filters at old Landfill site, as required by Facilities.  Cleans out salt brine tanks.  Cleans out Materials Recycling Centre (MRC) pit, as required. 
• Unloads sweeper contents at Operations Centre or closest Regional yard when full or at end of each day, operating hydraulic lever to empty compartment.
• During winter season, operates single axle or tandem axle trucks for plowing, salting, and sanding operations.  Operates combination plow/wing units and computerized material spreading unit (Dickie John, Compu-spread, or Epoke).  Acts as backup for regular snow plow operator, as required.
• Performs snow and ice control activities, including snow and ice removal from sides of road or drainage areas, using hand tools, maintenance equipment, and other vehicles and equipment covered under this classification, such as snow plow/dump truck. Completes brine usage reports as required. Occasionally mixes salt brine and geo mix for winter operations.
• When properly certified and trained, uses oxygen-acetylene torches to cut metal on culverts and storm sewer components.  Also uses torches to cut other metal components, such as bolts, when changing blades on snowplow.
• Performs the felling and removal of trees and brush from Regional roadsides and properties, as assigned.  When certified, uses chainsaw to fell and work up trees.  Operates brush chipper to clean up tree branches and brush.  Occasionally operates bucket truck to remove trees.
• Installs and removes snow fences, including pounding in stakes using hand held pounder or tractor mounted equipment, as assigned.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Performs traffic control duties, as required, around worksites for safety of self and rest of work crew.
• Performs all general roads maintenance activities on Regional roads and roadsides as required, such as crack sealing, hot/cold patching, dead animal and debris removal, guide rail/cable maintenance, and drainage maintenance.
• Cleans equipment at the end of each shift, using fire hose or power washer.  Washes back hoppers as well as all external surfaces, thoroughly to remove debris.  Refills sweeper water tank from designated filling stations.  Fills fuel tank at the end of each shift or as required.  Cleans cab of equipment when required.
• Completes reports documenting roads patrolled, road conditions, hazardous conditions, or maintenance requirements, as required.
• Operates a loader for summer and winter operations and maintenance.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read and understand policy, procedural and instructive material such as safety notices, equipment operation manuals, material safety data sheets, and product labels, and basic writing and arithmetic skills, normally acquired through the attainment of a Grade 12 secondary school education or equivalent*.
• Functional knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in, the proper operation and use of equipment related to the job duties, normally acquired through two years* of directly related experience.
• Knowledge of Regional standards, policies, and practices, and Provincial and Federal legislation, including the Ontario Traffic Manual, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Highway Traffic Act, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and related on-the-job training, including First Aid & CPR, Fire Hydrant Drainage, Defensive Driving, Confined Space Entry, Spills Management, Propane Handling.
• Ability to function effectively and safely in a variety of environmental conditions, including exposure to hazards related to the roads system.
• Communication skills in order to receive and comprehend instructions, interact positively with supervisors, other staff, and the general public, and participate as an effective team member.  Ability to support and project values compatible with the organization.
• A valid class "D" driver's licence with "Z" (Air Brake) endorsement and acceptable driving record are required to operate Regional vehicles.
• Ability to work variable hours as assigned.
• * Equivalency would be attained through Grade 10 secondary school education and three years directly related experience.
• Ability to read, understand, complete, and interpret Traffic Control Plans.
• Ability to complete applicable vehicle maintenance checklists and maintain a daily log of hours spent operating equipment; to complete various forms and written communication, such as time cards, Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) reports, and other basic written communications.
• Ability to occasionally provide general verbal information to the public inquiring about the roads system; and to interact positively and exchange information with supervisors, other staff, and members of the public.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Internal 1656 applicants are required to submit a document with their name on it (or an optional resume). 1656 staff are encouraged to internally apply with an updated resume, especially for those job opportunities that are a promotional opportunity, so that their qualifications are appropriately captured during the screening phase.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.  

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application.  Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).