Email Opening Apply Now Title Road & Bridge Apprentice (Temp)  Category Road and Bridge   Description Application closing date: 8/21/2026 Hiring pay range: $24.64 - $29.57 Full pay range: $24.64 - $34.50   SUPERVISION: Non-Supervisory   GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB: Temporary position will not exceed six months. While receiving on-the-job training, operates a variety of specialized light and heavy equipment to facilitate the construction of County roads and bridges. performs light to heavy physical labor. While receiving on-the-job training in equipment operations. Garfield County will assist with the cost of obtaining a CDL for those apprentices who receive passing District and Field Operator evaluations as deemed by Garfield County Road & Bridge. This is a training position, and the apprentice is expected to pass the District and Field evaluations to transition to an Equipment Operator I position. Successful training program completion is required for continued employment. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (These duties are illustrative of typical essential responsibilities of the job, and may vary according to assignment) Equipment Operations: • Accepts assignments to operate larger and more complex equipment for on-the-job training, relief or special assignment. • Learns to and may operate heavy and light equipment which include tampers, mowers, truck, backhoe, and loader. Operates a variety of work-related tools. • Responsible for keeping vehicles and equipment clean, and inspects vehicles for damage, loose parts, tires, and other items that are required for safe operations. Assists in preventative maintenance of equipment. • Keeps trip logs and records, and pre-trip inspection forms, including the posting of equipment hours, fuel, oil, etc. Manual Labor: • Performs manual labor related to construction, maintenance, and other duties when not operating equipment. • Performs manual laborer tasks as required. Uses hand tools to dig ditches, shovel fill or patching materials, load and unload equipment from trucks, carry or move equipment by hand, and clean the shop, yard or work site of trash and/or debris. • Installs and maintains road signs, reflectors, cattle guards, fences and guard rails using post driver, shovel, posthole digger and other hand and mechanical tools. • Mows grass and weeds along roadbeds using a tractor mower or heavy-duty power mower. Operates chainsaw to cut brush or fallen timber for removal from rights-of-way. • Keeps tools, vehicles and equipment clean and in safe operating order, and follows all procedures for safe and efficient operation of tools, vehicles, and equipment. • May operate weed control equipment and machinery. Snow Removal: • Performs snow removal duties, including other winter maintenance on roadways to ensure roadways remain open. Safety: • Safely operates equipment and vehicles, observes safety precautions, and wears appropriate safety equipment. Other duties as assigned.   CORE COMPETENCIES: (Representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of the position) • Public Service: A commitment to the mission of providing exceptional services to the citizens of Garfield County. It is who we are, and what we do. • Customer Service: A commitment to providing exceptional service to all customers (internal & external), which includes being helpful, professional, courteous, and taking the time to understand customer’s needs. • Stewardship & Innovation: Is a good steward of public resources and looks for ways to be innovative and improve efficiencies. • Teamwork: Able to work together with a diverse group of people towards a shared goal, while considering the needs of others. • Business Technology: Ability to utilize the technology required of the position and demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies as required to assist the County in providing exceptional services, innovation, and work efficiencies. • Communication: Proficient in communication, and able to communicate using the English language, including written, verbal, or other communication channels as required by the position. • Maintenance and Basic Construction: knowledge of materials, tools, and methods required to complete basic construction and maintenance activities. • Equipment Operations: Proficient in equipment operations and knowledgeable about equipment parts and systems sufficient for safe use of equipment.   BENEFITS: Medical, Vision, Dental Disability & Life Insurance Retirement Plan Paid Vacation & Sick Time Employee Wellness Programs Employee Gyms To view the complete benefits information, please visit https://www.garfieldcountyco.gov/human-resources/benefits-brochure/   Position Requirements MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as determined by Garfield County may be substituted for the following requirements.) Education: High school diploma or equivalent Experience: One year of general labor experience and a minimum of six months operating light to heavy equipment. Licenses & Certifications: Must be able to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL A or B) with appropriate endorsement within six (6) months of hire. Licenses must be kept current as a condition of employment.   PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical activities and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   REQUIRED PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: Lifting and Carrying: Must be capable of repeatedly lifting and carrying heavy machinery components or tools, often exceeding 45 pounds, using appropriate equipment or techniques. Bending and Stooping: Able to repeatedly bend, stoop, and crouch when entering or exiting equipment cabins and while performing maintenance checks. Grasping and Manipulating: Able to frequently operate levers, joysticks, and controls with precision while wearing work gloves, even in adverse weather conditions. Visual Acuity: Must possess clear vision to safely operate heavy equipment, including awareness of surroundings, gauges, and obstacles. Walking and Standing: Able to stand for long periods during operation and to walk safely around construction sites, which may have uneven terrain. Climbing: Capable of safely ascending and descending equipment access points or ladders when necessary for maintenance or inspections. Reaching: Able to reach controls and equipment components while seated comfortably in the operator's seat. Hearing: Possess sufficient hearing and auditory perception to communicate effectively with coworkers and respond to signals or alarms on the job site. Sitting: Ability to remain seated for extended periods while operating heavy machinery, ensuring precise control and safety. Pushing and Pulling: Be able to repeatedly manipulate heavy equipment attachments, such as buckets or blades, using hydraulic systems. Fine Motor Skills: Display precise fine motor skills when operating equipment functions, switches, and auxiliary controls.   WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily conducted in outdoor weather conditions that may vary from extreme heat to extreme cold while performing the essential functions of this job, requires exposure to debris, fumes, odors, airborne particles, and dust. Hazards include electrical shock, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, and working in precarious or enclosed spaces. or other mechanical hazards. The employee is occasionally exposed to the possibility of bodily injury from electrical shock or mechanical hazards. The employee is required to wear safety equipment to perform most of the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the indoor work environment is moderate; in the outdoor environment is typically loud and may occasionally be extremely loud.   WORK HOURS: Temporary Full-Time position, 40 hours per week. Work hours are typically four 10-hour shifts on a rotating schedule. Winter: Must be available for snow removal activities during normal working hours, weekends, holidays and very early morning and evening hours on a rotating call-out basis.   ON CALL: This position is responsible for being available to address issues in a timely manner after regular business hours. An employee who is on on-call status is required to: Remain within a geographical area so that they can arrive at the employer’s premises within the department’s maximum response time. Be available to take calls, respond to emails or website inquiries, or otherwise respond to inquiries at all times while on on-call status. Be fit for duty at all times while on on-call status.   Employees assigned this responsibility must respond to calls within a reasonable timeframe. Safe, professional business practices are required of all employees assigned to on-call duty.   REQUIRED TRAVEL: Required to travel throughout the County.   TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT: A variety of light and/or heavy equipment (e.g., snow removal equipment, graders, dozers, tandem dump trucks, pickup trucks, rollers, backhoes, sweepers, loaders, and rock rakes) used in Road & Bridge construction and maintenance. Computer and relevant software applications; calculator; telephone system; mobile phone; two-way radio.   NOTE: This position requires a pre-employment background check which will include a Criminal Background Check, Employment Verification, and Motor Vehicle Record. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of these items. NOTE: This position requires a pre-employment drug and alcohol test NOTE: This position is required to comply with state, federal and local regulations concerning Drug and Alcohol Testing procedures applicable to holders of Commercial Driver’s License (CDLs) which includes random drug and alcohol testing and a completed, satisfactory previous employer reference.   THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Nothing in this job description restricts Garfield County’s ability to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities of this job at any time. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description describes the County’s current assignment of essential functions. Those functions may change at any time as the needs of the County change or for other reasons deemed appropriate by the County.   Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time   Location Rifle, Colorado.   Benefit Information To view the complete benefits information, please visit https://www.garfieldcountyco.gov/human-resources/benefits-brochure/   Hiring Range $24.64 - $29.57   Full Pay Range $24.64 - $34.50   Driving Classification Essential   Number of Openings 1   Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt   Req Number ROA-26-00007   Open Date 6/26/2026   About the Organization Garfield County, Colorado consists of rugged alpine vistas and high desert mountains in the Rocky Mountain region, which dwells along the Continental Divide. Garfield County is located in western Colorado, where outdoor recreation opportunities abound, including hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting and kayaking, biking, skiing and snowboarding. It is home to the second largest designated wilderness area in Colorado - the Flattops Wilderness, the world's largest mineral hot springs pool, a popular family ski resort, and Hanging Lake, designated as a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 2011.   EOE Statement Garfield County is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.   This position is currently accepting applications. 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