Highway Maintenance Specialist - SW Denver (CDL Required)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hiring a Highway Maintenance Specialist in southwest Denver. This role helps keep Colorado roadways open and safe. Work varies with project needs, weather, environmental conditions, and road conditions. The specialist typically works on a team with a lead highway maintenance specialist and other specialists and is on call on a rotating basis, including for weather and other emergencies. The position involves outdoor, physically demanding maintenance work and operation of heavy equipment. The regular schedule is described as 40 hours per week, with a four-day, 10-hour schedule Monday through Thursday during the summer months, typically May through September. Overtime may be available during weather emergencies, and the employee may need to work outside regular hours, including weekends and holidays. Essential-services status requires reporting without delay or interruption for emergency services. The employee may be required to live within a 30-minute drive in normal weather conditions. Base pay is listed as $2,074.62 biweekly, or $53,940 annually, with a $12,000 annual housing stipend for total annual compensation of $65,940. The posting also lists an annualized hourly rate of $25.93 and an overtime rate of $38.90. CDOT provides personal protective equipment and tools, CDL-related reimbursements after the first year, CPR and first-aid training, career training, opportunities to learn new equipment, and opportunities for advancement.

Requirements

At least two years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience.
Possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A or B with no air-brake restriction, allowing operation in Colorado. Applicants with a non-Colorado CDL must be eligible to drive in Colorado with that CDL at hire; those relocating to Colorado must transfer the CDL within 30 days of relocation.
Pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace and criminal, public court, educational, and driving records checks.
May be required to pass a controlled substance test and a DOT physical through CDOT’s medical provider.
Be available for rotating on-call work and required shift work.
Report without delay or interruption when required to provide essential or emergency services.
May be required to live within 30 minutes’ driving time in normal weather conditions for timely emergency response.
Complete two weeks of maintenance training as a new employee; veteran CDOT employees complete one week of training each year.
May be required to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year of appointment.
Be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime, including weekends and holidays.
Provide a telephone number where a supervisor can reach the employee for emergency response.
Be willing and physically able to work for long periods in extreme hot and cold temperatures, variable weather, and elevations up to 12,000 feet.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment; work with chemicals and cleaning products; and, when required by equipment, use respirators.
Drive CDOT vehicles and work near traffic, including high-speed traffic.
Use ladders and scissor lifts at heights of approximately 10 to 20 feet.

Nice To Haves

Strong commitment to working safely.
Desire to learn.
Interest in outdoor work and physically demanding tasks.
Pride in doing a job well.
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 providing good customer service.
Problem-solving skills and interest in finding better ways to do things.
Experience operating equipment such as single- and tandem-axle dump trucks, front-end loaders, bulldozers, and backhoes.
Experience using hand tools.
Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software and equipment.
Years of state service experience related to the position’s duties.

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
Life and disability insurance.
Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
PERA retirement and optional PERA plans such as 401(k).
Paid annual, sick, and holiday leave and other leave.
Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
Career training opportunities.
CDL physical paid in full after the first year with CDOT.
Partial reimbursement of CDL renewal, up to 50%, after the first year with CDOT.
CPR and first-aid training.
Personal protective equipment, including uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vest, respirator, and tools.
Colorado Employee Assistance Program counseling and wellness resources.
Credit union membership and employee discount program.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Opportunities for advancement.
Overtime opportunity during weather emergencies.