Environmental Lab Assistant Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $48,912.00 - $53,796.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: HAA-50004285-08/26
Department: Department of Transportation
Division: CDOT Region 2
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 4670 Holly St., Denver, CO. 80216
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Misty.Valles@state.co.us
Hiring Pay Rate: The 2026 Step Pay Program may increase the salary range for employees with time in the class series.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department Information
This position is only open to Colorado state residents.
New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.
About CDOT
CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public, while also keeping them safe. The State of Colorado offers competitive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Visit the State of Colorado benefits for details, current premium rates and a summary video about benefits. The state also offers PERA retirement, great optional PERA plans such as 401K, a generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave, strong career growth, tuition reimbursement and professional development. Perks include Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership and employee discount program. Visit CDOT Benefits for details. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
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.
The eligible list created from this announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for a period of up to 6 months.
Description of Job
About the Position
Join CDOT's Materials team and play an important role in supporting the quality of transportation projects across Colorado. This position works in CDOT's Bituminous/Emulsion Materials Laboratory, the only CDOT laboratory providing specialized testing and evaluation of bituminous and emulsion materials for state and local agency projects. You'll perform hands-on laboratory testing, operate specialized equipment, evaluate materials, and help ensure materials used on Colorado's roadways meet established specifications and quality standards.
Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following

• Assist with testing of Bituminous, Emulsion, and Hot Mix Asphalt materials in accordance with AASHTO, ASTM, and Colorado Laboratory procedures using a variety of laboratory tests and equipment.
• Learn to use laboratory tools and equipment including laboratory molds, glassware, thermometers, digital probes, mixing and stirring equipment.
• Report test failures, abnormal readings, recordings, and other issues outside of normal operating limits.
• Assist with maintaining laboratory inventory and report low quantities to the lab manager and technicians.
• Maintain accurate sample log-ins and assist with the chain of custody process.
• Assist with daily organization and cleanliness of the laboratory and equipment.
• Participate in the Biennial AASHTO/AMRL Quality System Review by demonstrating assigned test procedures in accordance with required AASHTO/ASTM standards.
• Verify samples and test equipment are prepared in advance and equipment has been checked for calibration and accuracy.
• Perform sample log-in, labeling, and tracking and maintain required laboratory work sheets.
• Report deviations from CDOT specifications to the Lab Technician and manager.
• Maintain a clean and organized laboratory while following required safety procedures.
• Assist with research or forensic testing duties during the production season and other laboratory duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Primarily daytime hours, Monday - Friday.
• Exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Exposure to non weather-related hot or cold temperatures.
• Exposure to conditions such as fumes, noxious odors, dusts, mists, gases.
• Exerts up to 20 lbs of force occasionally and up to 10 lbs of force frequently to move objects

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Experience Only:

• High school diploma or GED AND
• Two years of progressively responsible experience assisting Professional Licensed Engineers or Physical Scientists with materials testing.

Strong mathematical skills, planning skills, attention to detail, and willingness to work in an engineering-related job is necessary for success.
Substitution: Satisfactory completion of course work from a U.S. accredited, non-correspondence college or university strongly related to the major job duties may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required general experience. (Transcripts and / or Official NACES report required to verify degree)
Please Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. "See Resume" statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or an official foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school, completed credit hours, and (if applicable) that a degree was conferred.
Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have been assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. The credential evaluation report must be an official report. Failure to provide a transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
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.
• A current valid driver's license is required for all Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) positions which require operating a state or personal motor vehicle to perform one or more essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications will be a Materials Tester with demonstrated ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
• Familiarity with the CDOT Field Materials Manual and the Laboratory Manual of Test Procedures;
• Knowledge and experience with Asphalt Binder and Emulsion testing;
• Familiarity with AASHTO standards, ASTM, CDOT Materials Manual, CDOT Laboratory Procedural Manual, the AMRL accreditation program and the CDOT Highway Specifications Manual.
• Familiarity with inspecting, calibrating, and maintaining testing equipment;
• Strong willingness to quickly learn job duties;
• Strong mathematical skills;
• Excellent reasoning, analytical, and problem solving ability;
• Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills;
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations;
• Proven ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and projects in a demanding environment;
• Strong time management skills;
• Ability to organize, analyze, and interpret numerical data;
• Commitment to safety;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Fluency in MS Office Suite skills (Word, Excel), Gmail, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn new software.
• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;
• Passion for safety;
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Gmail and Google Applications, SAP, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Supplemental Information
Applicant Checklist
Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
2. 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.)
3. A cover letter that describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.
4. A detailed chronological resume. Resumes must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application.
5. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing completed coursework and credit hours, that your degree has been conferred (if applicable), and the name of your school, or your NACES accreditation. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.
6. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

Please note that you may redact information on your attachments that identifies your age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Every effort must be made to submit all application materials by the announcement close date. Where unusual circumstances prevent timely acquisition of transcripts, they must be submitted within five business days of the announcement close date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.
The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.
The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.
Notifications:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email. Immediately after you submit your application you should receive an email that confirms that you successfully submitted an application for this position. If you do not, try submitting again until you receive the confirmation email. Be sure to also check your junk folder for email communications from the State of Colorado's website.
The Hiring Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part, or all, of the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
• Be sure your application materials specifically address your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the Major Duties, Minimum Qualifications, and Preferred Qualifications sections as listed above. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion as a