Highway Maintenance Specialist - Rico

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hiring a Highway Maintenance Specialist in Rico, Colorado. The role helps keep Colorado roadways open and safe through hands-on maintenance, equipment operation, repairs, and emergency response. Daily work varies according to project needs, weather, the environment, and road conditions. Specialists generally work as part of a maintenance team and participate in rotating on-call coverage, including responses to weather and other emergencies. The position typically follows a 40-hour workweek. During summer months, generally May through September, the schedule is four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday. Overtime may be available during weather emergencies, and the role may require work outside regular hours, including weekends and holidays. Employees complete maintenance training: two weeks for new employees and one week annually for veteran CDOT employees. CDOT provides personal protective equipment and tools, CPR and first-aid training, career training and opportunities to learn new equipment, and opportunities for advancement. The position requires outdoor and physically demanding work in variable weather and extreme temperatures, at elevations up to 12,000 feet, and near traffic that may be moving at high speed. Work also involves exposure to loud noise, fumes, odors, gases, and dust; using chemicals and cleaning products; and using ladders and scissor lifts at heights of approximately 10 to 20 feet. Some equipment requires respirator use. Employees must be able to respond to emergencies and may be required to live within a 30-minute drive in normal weather conditions. Annual base pay is listed as $53,940, with an annualized hourly rate of $25.93 and an overtime rate of $38.90 per hour. CDOT and the State of Colorado offer benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, PERA retirement and optional 401(k) plans, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, professional development, counseling and wellness resources, credit union membership, and employee discounts. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

At least two years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience.
Possess and maintain a valid Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License with no air-brake restriction that allows operation in Colorado. A non-Colorado CDL must permit driving in Colorado at hire; those who relocate to Colorado must transfer their CDL within 30 days of relocation.
Pass pre-employment screening, which may include social security number trace, criminal and public court records, educational records, and driving records checks.
May be required to pass a controlled substance test and a DOT physical.
Participate in rotating on-call work and shift work; be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular hours and work overtime, including weekends and holidays.
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 to respond to work notifications.
Complete required maintenance training: two weeks for new employees and one week each year for veteran CDOT employees.
Provide a telephone number where a supervisor can reach you.
Be willing and physically able to work in extreme hot and cold temperatures, variable weather, and at elevations up to 12,000 feet for long periods.
Use required personal protective equipment and work safely in the described environment.

Nice To Haves

Strong commitment to working safely.
Desire to learn.
Enjoys outdoor and physically demanding work.
Takes pride in doing a job well.
Adapts efficiently to changing conditions and priorities.
Works effectively in a team and looks out for team members.
Communicates effectively, especially in safety-critical situations.
Strong commitment to good customer service.
Enjoys solving problems and 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.
State service experience related to the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Plow snow.
Operate heavy equipment, including tandem dump trucks, loaders, and tractor mowers.
Mow grass and weeds.
Remove roadway debris, including rocks, mud, and deceased animals.
Remove debris from culverts, tunnels, and similar structures.
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 weather and other emergencies, including outside regular work hours, as part of rotating on-call coverage.

Benefits

Competitive 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 annual, sick, and holiday leave and other 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.
Full payment for CDL physical after the first year with CDOT.
Partial reimbursement of up to 50% for CDL renewal after the first year with CDOT.
CPR and first-aid training.
Career training opportunities.
Opportunities to learn new equipment and advance.
Opportunity for overtime during weather emergencies.
Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.