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Highway Cleanup Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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General Laborer

Denver, CO · On-site

$20/hr

... Cleanup of Metal and Aluminum · Assistant, pickup and drop off of materials. · Use an electric ... highway safety and traffic control products. Innovation and new product development have made us ...

CO · On-site

$70K - $76K/yr

... cleanup, fence, gate and sound barrier maintenance, litter-barrel and trash clean up, rock run ... highway maintenance experience: repairing potholes; performing asphalt or concrete paving ...

CO

$70K - $76K/yr

... cleanup, fence, gate and sound barrier maintenance, litter-barrel and trash clean up, rock run ... highway maintenance experience: repairing potholes; performing asphalt or concrete paving ...

Highway Cleanup information

See Colorado salary details

$36.8K

$83.4K

$140.4K

How much do highway cleanup jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for highway cleanup in Colorado is $83,352.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,700.00 and $128,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical working conditions for a highway cleanup team member?

Highway cleanup team members generally work outdoors in various weather conditions and must be prepared for physical tasks like walking long distances, lifting debris, and working near moving traffic. Teams often start early in the morning to minimize traffic disruptions and maximize safety, and protective gear like safety vests, gloves, and boots is usually provided. While the job can be physically demanding, most teams work together closely, building camaraderie as they complete their routes. Supervisors are present to ensure safety and provide guidance, and there are often opportunities to gain experience that can lead to advancement in maintenance or environmental services careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Highway Cleanup position, and why are they important?

To thrive in highway cleanup, you need physical stamina, attention to safety protocols, and a basic understanding of waste management procedures, typically with at least a high school diploma. Operating hand tools, litter pickers, and occasionally small machinery like leaf blowers or trucks may require on-the-job safety training or certifications such as OSHA. Reliability, teamwork, and a positive attitude are standout soft skills in this position. These qualities help ensure efficient, safe, and collaborative cleanup operations in challenging outdoor environments.

What is a Highway Cleanup job?

A Highway Cleanup job involves removing litter, debris, and other waste from roadsides, medians, and highways to maintain cleanliness and safety. Workers may use tools such as grabbers, rakes, and trash bags to collect garbage, and sometimes operate vehicles for transportation. This job is essential for environmental preservation, road safety, and improving the appearance of public spaces. It may be performed by government agencies, private contractors, or volunteer groups. Some positions also include tasks like clearing vegetation or reporting hazardous materials.

What are popular job titles related to Highway Cleanup jobs in Colorado? For Highway Cleanup jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Highway Cleanup job openings in Colorado as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,352 per year, or $40.1 per hour.
Lead Highway Maintenance Specialist, Traffic (TM II) - Aurora (CDL Required)

Lead Highway Maintenance Specialist, Traffic (TM II) - Aurora (CDL Required)

State of Colorado

Aurora, CO • On-site

$71K - $77K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


State Of Colorado rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 50 rated states


Job description

Department Information This position is open to applications from Colorado residents and non-residents. New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

   Base pay for this position is typically $59,460-$65,400/year. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year. This location is also eligible for an additional $1,000/month housing stipend.

Total annual compensation for this position is typically between $71,460-$77,400 ($59,460-$65,400 base pay and $12,000 housing stipend). This vacancy is a lead Highway Maintenance Specialist (TM II) that will be located out of Aurora, CO. 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, socioeconomic 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 This position is responsible for leading a patrol and overseeing general maintenance activities for a designated area.

The TM II also performs skilled, specialized heavy construction equipment operation and heavy manual labor under hazardous and adverse conditions. This position is responsible for maintaining facilities to as near original conditions as it was constructed as well as ensuring that all equipment is safe and operable. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Perform the daily planning and scheduling of activities in assigned worked area; develop work plans for employees on the patrol; review work progress, identify training needs, and provide feedback, on-the-job training and mentoring; provide performance appraisal input / recommendations; conduct tailgate safety talks for employees; Ensure patrol attends all required personnel training, safety classes, and informational training; perform worksite, night, and roadway inventory inspections; Lead, perform and assist in maintaining roadway surface by hand patching, roto-milling, machine patching, crack-sealing, blading existing unpaved shoulders, building or restoring unpaved shoulders, stock piling, etc.; Lead, perform and assist in the maintenance of road side facilities by drainage structure cleaning, repair and replacement, maintenance of streambeds and ditches, slope repair, dirt drifts, mud and rock slide cleanup, fence, gate and sound barrier maintenance, litter-barrel and trash clean up, rock run, machine sweeping, and hand sweeping; Lead, perform and assist in traffic services, such as the maintenance, replacement, and installation of single post sign, delineator and reference post, metal guard rail, concrete rail, pavement marking or removal, roadway warning devices, energy attenuator, and courtesy assistance; Lead, perform and assist in the maintenance of roadside appearance by vegetation control, hand mowing, weeding, tree trimming and tree removal; Lead, perform and assist in bridge / structure maintenance and repair by visual inspection, cleaning/washing, deck repair, crack and joint sealing- rigid bridge deck, roto-milling flexible bridge decks, roto-milling rigid bridge decks, crack sealing flexible decks, bridge superstructure maintenance and repair, painting, bridge/structure bearing maintenance repair, bridge substructure maintenance repair, approach slabs and slope protection, and deck expansion device maintenance and repair; Lead, perform and assist in snow and ice control by snow removal, traction application, ice control, stock piling, and snow fence installation and repair; Lead, perform and assist in the maintenance and repair of equipment, buildings, and grounds upkeep; Complete required paperwork and reports; use SAP to enter work orders, timesheet entries, and other items on a regular basis

Trim and remove trees; remove graffiti; Use a variety of light to heavy equipment; Ensure patrol uses proper equipment and PPE; Assist other patrols as needed; Other duties as assigned. 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 in close proximity to heavy traffic Use of ladders and scissor lifts for heights of approximately 10 - 20' Required to use various hand tools and to operate heavy equipment, such as backhoe, tractor, bucket truck, forklift, skid steer, loader, aerial devices and other equipment Required to drive CDOT vehicles Exposure to High Voltage (anything over 600 V) and electrical shock Some of the positions are NIGHTS ONLY and others are WEEKEND positions Frequently respond to emergencies outside of 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 Required to use computers to accomplish everyday work duties The average work week is 40 hours a week, with periodic overtime due to emergencies or inclement weather Must be able to read, understand, and follow oral and written instructions.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Minimum Qualifications At least three (3) years of experience in road/highway maintenance Examples of road/highway maintenance experience: repairing potholes; performing asphalt or concrete paving operations; operating heavy equipment such as bulldozers, motor graders, backhoes, front end loaders and other heavy equipment to repair and/or maintain roads; maintaining right-of-way fences; performing street striping and marking; performing mechanical mowing along the roadside (e.g. handheld weed eater up to a 15' rotary mower); performing bridge, roadside ditch, and culvert cleaning and maintenance; installing and/or maintaining roadway signs or guardrail; operating mechanical sweepers; conducting traffic control; or performing mechanical snow removal (gator up to a tandem truck). 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.

Conditions of Employment: The following conditions must be met and maintained in order to be employed and to continue employment at CDOT in this position, unless exempted by the Maintenance Superintendent or Traffic Program Engineer. Must possess and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License Class A or B with no restriction on air brakes that allows operation within Colorado. If you have a non-Colorado Commercial Driver's License, you must have a Colorado CDL before hire as this location requires Colorado residency.

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. You may be required to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement within 6 months to 1 year as a condition of appointment.

May be required to pass a controlled substance test (i.e., drug test), and DOT physical through our medical provider. May be required to work overtime including weekends and holidays. Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services outside regular work hours to ensure health, safety, and welfare

May be required to live within thirty (30) minutes' driving time in normal weather conditions to be able to respond in a timely manner after being notified to report to work. Knowledge of an emergency or hazardous condition may be considered to be notification to report to the work station. Must provide the supervisor with a telephone number where you can be reached for the purposes of responding to an emergency.

Required to attend training one week out of each year in Aurora. Preferred Qualifications The Exceptional Applicant will be dedicated to a career in the transportation field and possess proven ability or accomplishment in the following: Demonstrated success with the duties as listed in the Description of the Job section; Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position; Demonstrated experience in scheduling and planning daily work activities for subordinates; Comprehensive knowledge of the Emergency Response Guidelines, Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and supplement to set traffic control for road projects through different terrain, Colorado's Chain Law, Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulation, Colorado Commercial Driver's License Manual, MLOS standards, M & S Standards, and CDOT Policies and Procedures; Possess and maintain in good standing a Colorado CDL Class A or B with endorsements such as hazardous materials and tanker; Extensive experience safely and effectively operating and training others on several types of heavy equipment, such as front end loaders, tandem trucks, backhoes; Extensive experience effectively using several types of hand tools; Extensive experience performing physically demanding work assignments; Strong positive and can-do attitude; Strong commitment to safety; Strong oral and written communication; Ability to effectively communicate with CDOT staff and others, sometimes in safety situations where quick communication is essential; Self-starter and motivated to accomplish assigned tasks; Ability to react safely and properly in emergency situations; Ability to quickly learn with minimal direction; Ability to adapt to changes in work assignments and environments; Ability to effectively perform as a leader and mentor to employees; Strong customer service skills; Strong project management and work scheduling skills; Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills; Strong attention to detail and accuracy; Strong analytical, reasoning, troubleshooting, and problem solving skills; Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations; Familiarity with SAP, MS Office Suite, Gmail, the knowledge and know how to use computers, and the ability to quickly learn new software. Supplemental Information 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 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: 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. 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 qualific...


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