Highway Maintenance Specialist - Kim (CDL Training w/ Permit)

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. This position requires a valid CDL Permit and obtaining a CDL Class A or B within 6 months of hire as a condition of continued employment. A DOT drug test is required as a pre-employment step.

About the role

Highway Maintenance Specialists at CDOT ensure Colorado’s roadways remain open, safe, and well-maintained. This role involves hands-on repair, improvements, and emergency response, with a focus on safety and travel. CDOT provides training to obtain your CDL Class A or B license.

Pay

Total annual compensation is $53,940 ($53,940 base pay). Base pay is $2,074.62 biweekly (26 pay periods per year). The hourly rate is $25.93, with an overtime rate of $38.90/hour.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• PERA retirement, including optional 401K plans
• Generous paid time off (annual, sick, holiday, and other leave)
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling
• Wellness programs, credit union membership, and employee discounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for qualifying positions

Responsibilities

• Plowing snow and operating heavy equipment (e.g., tandem dump truck, loader, tractor mower)
• Mowing grass and weeds, removing debris (rock, mud, deceased animals) from roadways and culverts
• Shoveling gravel, sand, concrete, and asphalt; digging ditches
• Installing and repairing guardrails, highway markers, signs, lighting, and pavement markings
• Filling potholes and roadway cracks; setting up traffic control signs and cones
• Removing graffiti and stopping/slowing traffic in emergencies
• Maintaining equipment and performing minor repairs
• Following safety protocols and wearing required personal protective equipment
• Rotating on-call duties and responding to weather or other emergencies

What CDOT Provides

• Personal protective equipment (uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vest, respirator, tools)
• Full payment for CDL physical after the first year
• Partial reimbursement (up to 50%) for CDL renewal after the first year
• CPR and first-aid training
• Career training opportunities and equipment learning

Schedule

• 40-hour work weeks, with overtime opportunities during emergencies
• 4-day work schedule (10-hour days, Monday–Thursday) during summer months (typically May–September)

Work Environment

• Exposure to loud noise, fumes, odors, gasses, dust, and chemicals
• Work near high-speed traffic and at heights (10’–20’) using ladders or scissor lifts
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles and respond to emergencies outside regular hours (weekends/holidays)
• Must work in extreme temperatures, variable weather, and elevations up to 12,000 feet

Requirements

• At least two (2) years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A or B with no air brake restrictions within 6 months of hire
• Must pass pre-employment screenings (criminal, driving, and educational records checks; DOT drug test and physical)
• On-call availability and willingness to respond to emergencies
• Essential Services Designation: Must report without delay for health, safety, or welfare emergencies
• May be required to live within 30 minutes’ driving time of the workstation
• New employees must complete two weeks of maintenance training; veteran employees complete one week annually
• May be required to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong commitment to safety and teamwork
• Desire to learn and adapt to changing conditions
• Experience operating equipment (e.g., dump trucks, loaders, bulldozers, backhoes)
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software/equipment
• Experience using hand tools and problem-solving in safety-critical situations
• Customer service orientation and pride in work quality