Highway Maintenance Apprentice - Sugar City

• This position is covered by the Partnership Agreement between the State of Colorado and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWins). 

• New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

• Salary: LTC Trainee IV  - $40,706.00  Annually
             LTC Trainee  V  - $42,848.00 Annually  

• One position will be filled at either the LTC Trainee IV or V level, depending on experience and CDL license status. However, no experience is required.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is nationally recognized and registered with the United States Department of Labor. This apprenticeship program, lasting up to two years will provide in-depth training (both on the job and classroom) to prepare participants for the fully operational Highway Maintenance Specialist position. Apprentices will be assigned, one on one, to a seasoned maintenance professional as a mentor for the duration of the program. Upon successful completion, participants will receive national certification.  For more information on apprenticeships in Colorado, go to 

https://apprenticeship.colorado.gov/apprenticeship-for-career-seekers

What You Will Do

No two days are exactly the same in CDOT highway maintenance. Your daily work activities change based on project needs and also vary based on weather, environment, and road conditions. You will be on-call on a rotating basis as well as subject to call to respond to weather and other emergencies. You will typically work closely with your mentor in a team environment, as each maintenance patrol location has at least one lead highway maintenance specialist and multiple highway maintenance specialists. Apprentices will learn these skills:

• 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

What Impact You Will Have

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

Your 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

• Work on a rotating shift schedule including nights, weekends and holidays

• Frequently respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and may work overtime including weekends and holidays

• Must be willing and be 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