Statewide Avalanche Specialist

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.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.About the Work UnitThe Division of Maintenance and Operations oversees maintenance operations across the state for 1800 employees. The Division provides leadership and direction in establishing and enforcing standardized best practices for training, execution, and sustainment of CDOT’s highway maintenance operations. Providing policy and direction to the day-to-day leadership of highway maintenance forces and coordinating with the Regional Transportation Directors, Superintendents, Traffic Engineers, and Division Directors for implementation of visionary plans and best practices. Coordinates activities with the CAIC and local patrols to safely and efficiently manage avalanche closures, mitigation and road opening. The Division includes a Winter Operations Unit within the Division of Maintenance and Operations. The Winter Operations Manager will oversee CDOT’s $90 Million Snow and Ice Budget as well as setting standards for Winter Operations, Winter Product usage, Level of Service programming for Winter Operations, materials management, avalanche control, and training of maintenance forces. The position will lead CDOT in exploring new opportunities and ideas in the Winter Maintenance industry, focusing on integrating them into CDOT processes and culture in a way that brings value to both internal and external stakeholders. This position acts as the Statewide expert on winter operations, winter weather and avalanche forecasting, and avalanche mitigation and response. As the Statewide expert, this position regularly assists other State agencies such as the Division of Fire Prevention (DFP), Division of Aeronautics (DOA), Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and works with federal agencies such as the National Weather Service (NWS) and United States Army. Position also publishes scientific papers at National and International conferences like the International Snow Science Workshop, Transportation Research Board, and International Geology Conference.About the positionThe Statewide Avalanche Specialist is a critical team member for the highway avalanche safety and mitigation program statewide. This position is heavily involved in planning, developing, and implementing many aspects of this program to ensure the safety of CDOT employees and the traveling public. This position will support the Winter Operations Program Manager and Statewide Avalanche Coordinator for CDOT’s avalanche mitigation program statewide, including Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS), United States Army Avalanche Program, and CDOT Explosives Licensing and Training.Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:This position will assist the avalanche program manager on safety, operations, and maintenance of the non-explosive and non-artillery assets; required to assist with setting up and conducting winter operations when these assets are utilized. CDOT currently operates 49 Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS) systems. This position will assist with maintenance efforts with this technology across the State in the summer months.Assist with explosive magazines inventories and inspections.Assist with training needed for CDOT employees so they can safely and correctly operate all current mitigation methods (RACS, Howitzers, Avalaunchers, Heli Bombing, and hand charge routes). Record the results of the operations.Assist regional staff on operations decisions regarding avalanche mitigation techniques, explosive usage, and planning for future avalanche mitigation projects.Assist with all avalanche projects including construction, contract administration, and inspection of several different types of Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS).Assist with helicopter operations to support construction and maintenance of avalanche infrastructure across the state.Assist with fleet management of implemented RACS and future installations.Knowledge of procurement procedures.Knowledge of contract management.Ability to work around helicopters during longline operations.This position will be a member of the CDOT Artillery Program.Ability to travel in the backcountry during the winter.Ability to travel on high, very steep exposed portions of mountainous terrain.Must be willing and able to tolerate cold weather and wet or humid conditions.Must be willing and able to tolerate noise and vibration related to explosives.Other duties as assigned.Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

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