Heavy Equipment Mechanic III - Durango

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

Do you like to learn, be challenged, and work on a wide variety and age of equipment? Would you like the chance to impact the safety of the traveling public? Do you have a Class A or B Commercial Driver's License? If so, come join CDOT as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic. We're looking for someone who likes to take apart equipment, figure out what is wrong, and put it back in working order!

Watch this video to see why employees like working at CDOT as a heavy equipment mechanic.

Base pay for this position is typically between $2441-$2622/biweekly ($63,480-$68,172/annually). There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year. This location is also eligible for an additional $500/month housing stipend, resulting in total pay of $69,480-$74,172/annually. The minimum annualized hourly rate for this position is $30.52/hour (corresponding to $2441/biweekly). 

About CDOT 

Do you want to make a difference in Coloradans' lives? Do you have a passion for helping people and keeping them safe? At the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), you will have the opportunity to do just that. The work our people do contributes to keeping Coloradans and visitors safe and provides freedom, connection, and experience through travel. Please visit our careers page to learn about CDOT and how we are making Colorado a great place to live, work and play, now and for the future! Also, check out our excellent benefits package!

CDOT for All

CDOT's strength is our people, and our commitment to our people is to shape, support, and sustain the employee experience, and ultimately, create a supportive workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identity, has the opportunity to thrive. 

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to 

The eligible list created from this announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for a period of up to 6 months.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has a vacancy for a Heavy Equipment Mechanic in our Durango location.  This position works primarily in a shop and occasionally in the field and provides skilled, professional, quality mechanic services for a wide range of CDOT equipment.  

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Diagnoses and repairs vehicle and equipment malfunctions on all major systems.

• Overhauls and rebuilds components and equipment.

• Uses test equipment to diagnose defects or malfunctions.

• Works on vehicles and equipment such as 3.5-ton single axle and 10-ton tandem axle, tractor-trailers, front end loaders, motor graders, asphalt paving machines, and 15' mower tractors.

• Performs preventative maintenance and annual safety inspections.

• Designs and fabricates parts and special tools.

• Orders and procures parts and supplies.

• Uses computers to track vehicle repairs.

• Maintains a safe, clean, and organized work environment.

• Other job duties as assigned.

Why CDOT?

• Medical and Dental benefits after a 30-day sign-up timeframe, dependents included (Cigna or Kaiser).  For more information, go HERE.
• Choice of retirement plans offered by Colorado PERA.
• 96 hours of vacation & 80 hours of sick leave earned within first year + 11 paid holidays.
• No out-of-pocket expenses for tools since CDOT provides all hand and power tools, as well as specialty equipment.
• CDOT provides all PPE, as well as training on equipment, CPR, and first-aid.
• Full payment for CDL physical.
• Reimbursement for 50% for CDL renewal after first year. 

Work Environment:

• Expected work schedule is 4 10-hour days, Mon-Thu 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Work is primarily in the equipment shop, with some work in the field.
• Required to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime including weekends and holidays.
• Some on-call time is required.
• Must provide the supervisor with a telephone number where he/she can be reached for the purpose of responding to an emergency.
• Required to lift up to 70 lbs.
• Required to bend, kneel, climb in/out of trucks when maintaining and repairing equipment.
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles.
• May be required to travel to remote locations for equipment repair.
• Must be able to read, understand, follow, and give oral and written instructions.
• Frequent travel during work day to perform field repairs, including to remote locations, as well as to attend trainings and meetings.
• 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.
• Exposure to loud noises.
• Exposure to fumes, odors, gases, dusts, etc. that may affect breathing, eyes and skin.
• Exposure to High Voltage (anything over 600V) and electrical shock.
• Must be able to hear and communicate via cell phone and state radio to relay information and respond to field calls.
• Required to use computers to accomplish everyday work duties. 

A combination of four years of experience in automotive and heavy equipment repair AND/OR education in automotive or diesel equipment mechanics. (Must provide copy of transcript if using education.)

• At least ONE of the required four years must be experience with the diagnosis and repair of heavy diesel equipment such as 10-ton double axle snowplows, tractor-trailers, bulldozers, motor graders, paving machines and/or 15' mower tractors.

Conditions of Employment

• 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. More information in the supplemental information section.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License Class A or B with no restrictions on air brakes that allows operation in Colorado.

• If you have a non-Colorado Commercial Driver's License, you must be eligible to drive in Colorado with your CDL at time of hire.  If you currently live outside of Colorado and relocate to reside in Colorado, you must transfer your CDL to Colorado within 30 days of relocation. 

• Some on-call and shift work may be required.

• May be required to pass a controlled substance test (i.e., drug test), and DOT physical through our medical provider. 

• Must be willing to respond to emergencies outside regular work hours and work overtime including weekends and holidays.

• Must be physically able to perform this position's essential job duties.

• Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare. 

• New employees are required to attend two weeks of maintenance training in Aurora, while veteran CDOT employees are required to attend training one week out of each year in Aurora.

Preferred Qualifications

The exceptional applicant will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section.

• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position.

• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity.

• Extensive experience with troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair of automotive and heavy-duty diesel vehicles and equipment. Experience with equipment up to 10 tons is highly desirable.

• Medium/Heavy truck ASE Certifications in Diesel Engine, Drive Trains, Brakes, Suspension and Steering, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating, Ventilation, and A/C is preferred.

• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills.

• Self-starter and motivated to accomplish assigned tasks.

• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations.

• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy.

• Strong commitment to safety.

• Must have knowledge and know-how to use computers for vehicle diagnosing, data input, record keeping and email, and have the ability to quickly learn other software.

Applicant Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)

• A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)

• If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing coursework and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

Please Note: 

The required experience must be substantiated within the