Highway Maintenance Apprentice - Cañon City

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hiring a Highway Maintenance Apprentice in Cañon City, Colorado. No prior experience or education is required. The two-year paid apprenticeship combines mentorship, classroom instruction, and hands-on training to prepare apprentices for a Highway Maintenance Specialist career. Apprentices will work with a mentor and a maintenance team, learn highway maintenance and equipment operation, and earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) at no cost. The position is term-limited, and employment is not guaranteed beyond two years. At the end of the term, apprentices are encouraged to apply for permanent Highway Maintenance Specialist positions. Apprentices with prior experience or a CDL may be able to complete the program in less than two years. One position will be filled at the LTC Trainee IV or V level, depending on experience and CDL status. The listed annual salaries are $41,932.80 ($20.16 per hour) for LTC Trainee IV and $44,137.56 ($21.22 per hour) for LTC Trainee V. A pay increase may be available after one year for a Trainee IV who successfully completes that stage of the apprenticeship and obtains a CDL; promotion to a Highway Maintenance Specialist may bring a further pay increase. Applicants must be Colorado residents. The role supports safe, open highways and may involve changing assignments according to project needs, weather, environment, and road conditions. Apprentices perform outdoor, physically demanding maintenance work, operate CDOT vehicles and heavy equipment, and respond to emergencies. The position is designated as an essential service and includes rotating on-call duties, shift work, and possible overtime, including nights, weekends, and holidays. A four-day, 10-hour schedule is typically used during summer months, May through September; 40-hour work weeks are guaranteed, with overtime opportunities during weather emergencies. CDOT provides full benefits, retirement, paid leave, personal protective equipment and tools, CDL training and testing at no cost, payment for the required CDL medical certificate evaluation, partial reimbursement for CDL renewal after the first year, CPR and first-aid training, and career development opportunities. The position requires a valid Colorado driver’s license and obtaining a Commercial Driving Permit followed by a Class A or B CDL without an air-brake restriction within 12 months of hire. A hazardous materials endorsement may also be required within 6 months to 1 year. The apprentice must pass the required DOT drug test and physical as part of the CDL process, and may be required to pass additional employment screening or controlled-substance testing.

Requirements

Must be a Colorado state resident.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license that allows operation within Colorado.
Must obtain a Commercial Driving Permit and then a Class A or B CDL with no air-brake restriction, valid in Colorado, within 12 months of hire.
Must pass the DOT drug test and DOT physical required as part of obtaining the CDL permit.
Must pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal, public court, educational, and driving records checks.
May be required to pass a controlled-substance test and DOT physical through CDOT’s medical provider.
Must be available for rotating on-call work and shift work and be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime, including weekends and holidays.
Must provide a telephone number where a supervisor can reach them for emergency response.
May be required to live within 30 minutes’ driving time in normal weather conditions to respond promptly when called.
Must complete required maintenance training: two weeks for new employees or one week annually for veteran CDOT employees.
May be required to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year as a condition of appointment.
Must be willing and physically able to work in extreme hot and cold temperatures, variable weather, and elevations up to 12,000 feet for extended periods.
No previous education or experience is required.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated success with the duties described for the position.
High work and personal ethics and integrity.
Strong commitment to working safely.
Desire to learn and work outdoors.
Enjoyment of physically demanding work and taking pride in a job well done.
Ability to adapt efficiently to changing conditions and priorities.
Ability to work effectively in a team and look out for team members.
Effective communication, especially in safety-critical situations.
Strong commitment to good customer service.
Problem-solving skills and interest in finding better ways to do things.
Experience operating equipment such as single- or tandem-axle dump trucks, front-end loaders, bulldozers, or backhoes.
Experience using hand tools.
Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software and equipment.
State service experience related to the position’s duties.

Responsibilities

Install pavement markings and striping.
Install and repair guardrails, highway markers and signs, warning signs, and lighting.
Plow snow.
Operate heavy equipment, including tandem dump trucks, loaders, and tractor mowers.
Mow grass and weeds.
Remove debris from roadways, including rocks, mud, and deceased animals.
Remove debris from culverts and tunnels.
Shovel gravel, sand, concrete, and asphalt.
Dig ditches.
Fill potholes and roadway cracks.
Set out signs and cones for traffic control.
Remove and cover graffiti.
Stop or slow traffic during emergency situations.
Maintain equipment and perform minor repairs.
Follow safety guidance and wear appropriate safety equipment.
Work on a rotating on-call basis and respond to weather and other emergencies, including outside regular work hours.

Benefits

Full benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Life and disability insurance.
Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
PERA retirement and optional PERA plans, including 401(k).
Paid time off, including annual, sick, and holiday leave.
Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
Colorado Employee Assistance Program counseling and wellness resources.
Credit union membership and employee discount program.
Personal protective equipment, including 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 payment for the required CDL medical certificate evaluation.
Partial reimbursement of up to 50% for CDL renewal after the 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.
Four-day, 10-hour work schedule during summer months, typically May through September.
Opportunities to learn new equipment and advance in a stable, long-term career.
Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.