Highway Maintenance Specialist - Kiowa

Highway Maintenance Specialist – Kiowa Location: Kiowa, CO Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. Anticipated start date: July 13, 2026. Pay : $2,074.39 biweekly ($53,934 annual); hourly: $25.93, overtime: $38.89. About CDOT CDOT employees ensure the safety and reliability of Colorado’s roadway system. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, PERA retirement, 401(k) plans, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and other support services. Responsibilities Daily work varies with project needs, weather, and road conditions. The role requires on‑call availability and emergency responsiveness. Typical duties include: Plowing snow and shoveling gravel, sand, concrete, and asphalt. Operating heavy equipment such as tandem dump trucks, loaders, tractors, mowers, bulldozers, backhoes, and similar machines. Mowing grass and weeds and removing debris from roadways, culverts, and tunnels. Installing and repairing guardrails, highway markers, signs, warning signs, and lighting. Filling potholes and repairing roadway cracks. Setting out traffic control signs and cones and stopping or slowing traffic in emergency situations. Removing and covering graffiti and installing pavement markings/striping. Maintaining equipment and performing minor repairs. Following safety guidance and wearing proper safety equipment. Impact Maintaining roads ensures safe travel for all Coloradans and visitors and supports the state's economy. Benefits and Training Personal protective equipment (uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vests, respirators, tools). Full payment of CDL physical after the first year; partial reimbursement (up to 50%) for CDL renewal. CPR and first‑aid training. Career training opportunities and opportunity to learn new equipment. 40‑hour work weeks with overtime during weather emergencies. Four‑day 10‑hour work schedule during summer months. Opportunities for advancement. Work Environment Exposure to loud noise, fumes, odors, gases, dusts, and chemicals. May require use of respirators and PPE. Work near traffic, sometimes high‑speed traffic. Use of ladders and scissor lifts up to 20 feet. May be required to drive CDOT vehicles. Frequent response to emergencies outside regular hours, including weekends and holidays. Must work in extreme temperatures and variable weather conditions up to 12,000 feet. Minimum Qualifications At least 2 years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience. Valid Commercial Driver’s License Class A or B with no restriction on air brakes; ability to operate within Colorado. Preferred Qualifications Strong commitment to safety and desire to learn. Ability to work outdoors and in physically demanding conditions. Pride in job quality and effective teamwork. Excellent communication, especially in safety‑critical situations. Strong customer‑service orientation. Problem‑solving skills. Experience operating single and tandem axle dump trucks, front‑end loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, etc. Hands‑tool experience. Basic computer skills. State service experience related to duties. Conditions of Employment Must possess and maintain a valid CDL Class A or B within 30 days of relocation. Must pass background checks, including social‑security, criminal, driving records, and drug test. May be required to complete DOT physical and a controlled‑substance test. On‑call duty and shift work. Essential Services designation—must report promptly for emergencies. May need to live within 30 minutes of the workstation for emergencies. Initial training: 2 weeks for new employees; 1 week annually for veteran CDOT employees. May need Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year. Equal‑Opportunity Employment Statement The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. CDOT is committed to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other protected characteristic. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Colorado