Highway Maintenance Apprentice - La Junta

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This apprenticeship program offers two years of paid mentorship, classroom, and hands-on training to prepare individuals for a career in public safety with CDOT. Apprentices will earn their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and the necessary qualifications for a Highway Maintenance Specialist position. The program is designed for individuals passionate about safety, travel, hands-on repair, and improvements, who enjoy working outdoors and are interested in operating heavy equipment and maintaining Colorado's highways. No prior experience is required, and candidates may have the opportunity to earn their CDL at no cost. This is a term-limited position, with encouragement to apply for permanent Highway Maintenance Specialist roles upon completion.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license that allows operation within Colorado.
Required to obtain a Commercial Driving Permit followed by a Commercial Driver’s License Class A or B, with no restriction on air brakes, that allows operation within Colorado within twelve (12) months of hire, as a condition of employment.
As part of obtaining your CDL permit, you must pass the DOT drug test and DOT physical.
Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks.
May be required to pass a controlled substance test (i.e., drug test), and DOT physical through our medical provider.
On-call work (rotating basis as well as subject to call)
Shift work
Essential Services Designation – Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.
May be required to live within thirty (30) minutes' driving time in normal weather conditions to be able to respond in a timely manner after being notified to report to work.
New employees are required to take two weeks of maintenance training, while veteran CDOT employees are required to take one week of training each year.
May be required to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year as a condition of appointment.
Must be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime including weekends and holidays.
Must provide the supervisor with a telephone number where you can be reached for the purposes of responding to an emergency.
No previous education or experience is required.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section
Highest work/personal ethics and integrity
Has a strong commitment to working safely
Has a desire to learn
Wants to work outdoors
Likes physically demanding work
Takes pride in a job well done
Adapts efficiently to changing conditions and priorities
Works effectively in a team environment and looks out for team members
Communicates effectively, especially in safety-critical situations
Has a strong commitment to providing good customer service
Likes to solve problems and figure out better ways to do things
Has experience operating equipment, such as single and tandem axle dump trucks, front end loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, etc.
Has experience using hand tools
Has basic computer skills and can learn new software/equipment
Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position
Prior experience or a CDL

Responsibilities

Plowing snow
Operating heavy equipment, such as tandem dump truck, loader, tractor mower, etc.
Mowing grass and weeds
Removing debris from roadways, including rock, mud, and deceased animals
Removing debris from culverts, tunnels, etc.
Shoveling gravel, sand, concrete, and asphalt
Digging ditches
Installing and repairing guardrail, highway markers and signs, warning signs, and lighting
Filling potholes and roadway cracks
Setting out signs and cones for traffic control
Removing and covering graffiti
Installing pavement markings/striping
Stopping or slowing traffic in emergency situations
Maintaining equipment and performing minor repairs
Following safety guidance and wearing proper safety equipment
Being on-call on a rotating basis
Responding to weather and other emergencies
Working closely with a mentor in a team environment

Benefits

Full benefits are provided.
Competitive medical, dental and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Flexible spending and health savings accounts
PERA retirement
Optional PERA plans such as 401K
Generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave
Strong career growth
Tuition reimbursement
Professional development
Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling
Wellness programs
Credit union membership
Employee discount program
Personal protective equipment, such as uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vest, respirator, and tools
No cost CDL Entry Level Driver Training and testing using CDOT equipment and tester
CDOT pays for the required CDL medical certificate evaluation
Partial reimbursement (up to 50%) for your CDL renewal, after your first year with CDOT
CPR and first-aid training
Variety of career training opportunities
Guaranteed 40-hour work weeks, with opportunity for overtime during weather emergencies
4-day work schedule (10-hour days Monday-Thursday) during the summer months, typically May through September