Highway Maintenance Specialist, Special Crews - Durango

Department Information: Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

About the role

If you have a Colorado Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License and are passionate about safety, travel, and hands-on repair and improvements, consider turning your passions into a career as a Highway Maintenance Specialist. This position is based in Durango, CO.

Total annual compensation for this position is $59,940 ($53,940 base pay and $6,000 housing stipend). Base pay is $2,074.62 biweekly ($53,934 - 54,000 annually). This location is also eligible for an additional $500/month housing stipend. The annualized hourly rate is $25.93/hour, with an overtime rate of $38.89/hour.

About CDOT

CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public while keeping them safe.

Benefits

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

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
• Inspecting structures and systems daily to proactively detect malfunctions or safety hazards
• Performing basic repairs on plumbing fixtures, including fixing leaks, unclogging drains, and replacing faucets
• Handling minor electrical maintenance such as changing light bulbs, ballasts, and wall switches
• Conducting general carpentry and cosmetic fixes including drywall repair, painting, and furniture assembly
• Assisting with routine preventative maintenance on HVAC and climate control systems

Impact

Your work is critical to keeping Colorado’s roadways open and safe. It positively impacts the quality of life for all Coloradans and visitors and helps the economy thrive.

What CDOT Provides

• Personal protective equipment, such as uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vest, respirator, and tools
• Full payment for your CDL physical after your first year with CDOT
• 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
• 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
• Opportunities to learn new equipment
• Opportunities for advancement

Work Environment

• Exposure to loud noise
• Exposure to fumes, odors, gasses, dusts, etc., that may affect breathing, eyes, and skin
• Required to use appropriate personal protective equipment
• Required to work with chemicals and cleaning products
• Some equipment requires the use of respirators
• Work near traffic, sometimes high-speed traffic
• Use ladders and scissor lifts for heights of approximately 10’–20’
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles
• Frequently respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and may work overtime including weekends and holidays
• Must be willing and physically able to work in extreme temperatures (hot and cold), variable weather conditions, and at varying elevations up to 12,000 feet for long periods of time

Requirements

• Must have at least two (2) years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience
• Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License Class A or B with no restriction on air brakes that allows operation within Colorado
• 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)
• 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 respond in a timely manner after being notified to report to work
• Must complete two weeks of maintenance training for new employees, and one week of training each year 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 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong commitment to working safely
• Desire to learn
• Interest in working 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
• Strong commitment to providing good customer service
• Likes to solve problems and figure out better ways to do things
• Experience operating equipment, such as single and tandem axle dump trucks, front end loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, etc.
• Experience using hand tools
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn new software/equipment
• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position