Highway Maintenance Specialist - Ouray

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

Seeking a Highway Maintenance Specialist to work in Ouray, CO. Total annual compensation is $59,934 (base pay $53,934 plus $6,000 housing stipend). Base pay is $2,074.39 biweekly ($53,934–$54,000 annually). Additional benefits include a $500 monthly housing stipend, an annualized hourly rate of $25.93 with overtime at $38.89, and standard CDOT benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, PERA retirement, 401K options, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and professional development.

• Plow snow.
• Operate heavy equipment such as tandem dump truck, loader, tractor mower, etc.
• Inspect, mow, and maintain grass and weeds.
• Remove debris from roadways, culverts, tunnels, and other surfaces.
• Shovel gravel, sand, concrete, and asphalt as needed.
• Dig ditches and perform minor road repairs.
• Install and repair guardrail, highway markers, signs, and lighting.
• Fill potholes and crack seams.
• Set traffic control signs and cones during emergencies.
• Remove and cover graffiti.
• Apply pavement markings and striping.
• Stop or slow traffic in emergency situations.
• Maintain equipment and perform minor repairs.
• Follow safety guidance and wear proper protective gear.

Your work keeps Colorado’s roadways open and safe, improving quality of life for residents and visitors and supporting the state’s economy.

• Personal protective equipment (uniforms, boots, hard hats, gloves, safety vest, respirator) and tools.
• Full payment of your CDL physical after your first year at CDOT.
• Partial reimbursement (up to 50%) for your CDL renewal after the first year.
• CPR and first‑aid training.
• Career training opportunities.
• 40‑hour work weeks with overtime during weather emergencies.
• 4‑day work schedule (Monday–Thursday) during summer months.
• Opportunities to learn new equipment and advance within CDOT.

• Exposure to loud noise, fumes, odors, gases, and dusts.
• Use of personal protective equipment and sometimes respirators.
• Work near traffic, including high‑speed traffic.
• Use of ladders and scissor lifts up to 20 feet.
• Required to drive CDOT vehicles and respond to emergencies outside regular hours.
• Work in extreme temperatures, varied weather, and elevations up to 12,000 feet.
• Availability for overtime, weekends, and holidays.

At least 2 years of physical labor and/or heavy equipment operation experience.

• Strong commitment to safety.
• Desire to learn and solve problems.
• Experience working outdoors and with physically demanding tasks.
• Pride in job quality and teamwork.
• Effective communication, especially in safety‑critical contexts.
• Customer‑service orientation.
• Experience operating heavy equipment (dump trucks, loaders, bulldozers, backhoes).
• Experience using hand tools.
• Basic computer skills.
• State service experience related to duties.

• Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License Class A or B, air‑brake unrestricted.
• Non‑Colorado CDL holders must be eligible to drive in Colorado at hire or relocate and transfer within 30 days.
• Must pass pre‑employment screening (social security, criminal, education, driving records).
• May be required to pass a substance test and DOT physical.
• Became on‑call on a rotating basis; shift work expected.
• Essential services designation – must report promptly for emergencies.
• May need to live within 30 minutes driving time to respond quickly.
• New employees undergo two weeks of maintenance training; veterans one week annually.
• May need to obtain Hazardous Materials endorsement within 1 year.
• Must respond to emergencies outside regular hours and work overtime.
• Must provide a reachable phone number for emergency notification.