Job Summary: General Maintenance Worker (Snow Removal)

Tessera (formerly known as Skookum Contract Services) is hiring a General Maintenance Worker for on-call snow removal operations at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs. This is a mission-critical, part-time, on-call position where you serve as a primary responder for base snow control. You will operate heavy equipment, conduct inspections, and maintain 24-hour standby readiness to ensure the Academy’s roadways remain safe and operational during severe winter weather.

Key Responsibilities

Snow Control Point of Contact: Serve as the primary onsite contact for base snow removal, coordinating efforts and reporting findings to the Pavements & Equipment (P&E) Manager.
Standby & Response: Maintain a state of readiness for 24-hour operations. You must be able to report to the USAFA within one hour of being placed on standby.
Heavy Equipment Operation: Operate snowplows and specialized clearing equipment to remove snow and ice from primary roadways and mission-essential areas.
Inspections & Maintenance: Conduct routine pre-operation inspections of trucks and equipment; perform minor repairs and document all maintenance needs for the vehicle facility.
Documentation & Communication: Use two-way radios to coordinate with team leads and accurately log all activities, phone inquiries, and operational milestones.

Required Qualifications & Skills

License & Clearance: A valid state driver’s license is mandatory; a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is highly preferred. You must be able to obtain a REAL ID and pass a federal background check for base access.
Experience: 2 years of general maintenance experience is preferred, along with practical knowledge of worksite safety and occupational hazards.
Physical Stamina: Ability to sit, stand, or drive for several hours at a time; ability to climb in and out of vehicles and lift up to 50 pounds (or 100 pounds with assistance).
Adaptability: Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and extended shifts under extreme adverse weather conditions.

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Rate: $28.00 per hour.
Union Affiliation: This position is represented by the IBEW Local 113.
Federal Holidays: 11 paid federal holidays.
Professional Development: Access to tuition assistance after one year, professional certifications, and training opportunities.
Bonuses: Potential for a shared earning bonus based on contract performance.

Market & Industry Context: USAFA Winter Ops 2026

Historic Snowfall: The winter of 2025–2026 has been noted by the National Weather Service as the warmest on record for Colorado Springs, yet it paradoxically recorded 21.3 inches of snow—roughly 7.7 inches above normal. This “warm but wet” pattern leads to heavier, wetter snow that requires more frequent plowing and equipment maintenance.
Precision Tech: In 2026, USAFA snow operations have increasingly integrated GPS-enabled routing and automated salt-spreader calibration to reduce environmental impact on the Academy’s unique ecosystem.
Operator Demand: The snow removal industry is currently facing a labor shortage, driving up wages (like the $28.00 rate seen here) as contractors compete for qualified operators who can handle high-productivity V-plows and hydraulic wing plows.

Demographic Context: Veteran & Disability Employment 2026

Tessera (Skookum) is a social enterprise specifically focused on creating opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities. As of February 2026, the employment landscape for these groups is as follows:

Veteran Unemployment: The national veteran unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, significantly lower than the non-veteran rate of 4.3%.
Disability Employment Gap: Veterans with a disability have an unemployment rate of 5.5%, which is notably lower than the 8.3% rate for non-veterans with disabilities, reflecting the success of programs like those run by Tessera.
Racial Representation in the Class of 2026: At the USAFA, where you will be working, the incoming class is roughly 38% minority, including 16% Asian, 10.6% African American, and 11.1% identifying as two or more races.

Interview & Application Insights

The One-Hour Rule: The most critical logistical requirement is the one-hour response time. Be prepared to discuss your proximity to the base and your reliable transportation.
Safety Knowledge: You will likely be asked about specific “Lockout/Tagout” procedures or your experience with equipment inspections.

Mission Focus: Since this is a military installation, highlighting your understanding of “mission readiness”—keeping the roads open so the Academy can function—will resonate with the hiring team.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Skookum Contract Services (Tessera)
Location	USAFA (U.S. Air Force Academy), Colorado Springs, CO
Compensation	$28.00 / hourly
Job Type	Part-Time, On-Call (Standby)
Union	IBEW, Local 113
Deadline	March 31, 2026

Mission-Critical Operations: USAFA Snow Control

This role is not just about plowing; it is a coordination and inspection position essential for maintaining the operational readiness of a federal military installation. You are the “eyes on the ground” for the Pavements & Equipment (P&E) Manager.

Functional Area	Actionable Tasks
Inspection	Conducting base-wide snow inspections and reporting findings to leadership.
Coordination	Serving as the primary point of contact for snow control; using two-way radios to direct teams.
Execution	Operating heavy equipment to clear roadways during 24-hour standby operations.
Maintenance	Performing routine safety checks on trucks/equipment; completing minor “field” repairs.
Documentation	Accurately logging all removal activities and maintenance needs for mission records.

Mandatory Qualifications & Logistics

Response Time: Must be able to report to the USAFA within one hour of notification.
Driver’s License: Valid state license required; CDL is highly preferred.
Base Access: Must be a U.S. Citizen or possess legal right to work; must have REAL ID-compliant identification for gate access.
Experience: 2 years of general maintenance experience is preferred.
Clearance: Ability to pass a federal background check and E-Verify for installation access.
Physicality: Ability to work in extreme cold for extended periods; capacity for repetitive motion, kneeling, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Total Rewards & Inclusive Culture

Skookum (Tessera) is a non-profit government contractor specifically dedicated to “Creating Opportunities for People with Disabilities” and veterans.

Financial Perks: Potential shared earning bonuses and Verizon wireless discounts.
Education: Tuition assistance and scholarships for qualified dependents (after 1 year).
Time Off: 11 paid federal holidays; pro-rated vacation and sick leave.
Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and professional development/certification opportunities.

Demographic & Economic Context: Federal Contracting

Skookum operates under the AbilityOne Program, one of the largest sources of employment in the U.S. for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

Workforce Impact: Skookum supports over 1,700 employees across 13 states. Nationally, the AbilityOne Program employs approximately 40,000 individuals with disabilities.
Veteran Representation: In Colorado Springs, veteran-focused hiring is a significant economic driver. Approximately 17.5% of the Colorado Springs population are veterans, nearly double the national average.
Racial Diversity in Maintenance (U.S. Averages): * White: 61.2%
- Hispanic/Latino: 23.4%
- Black/African American: 10.1%
- Asian: 2.8%

Comparison: Colorado Springs “On-Call” & Field Roles

Metric	Skookum Snow Removal	Complete Care ER (PRN)	City Golf Maintenance
Hourly Rate	$28.00	$20.00 + Differentials	~$16.00 – $18.00
Shift Nature	On-Call / Standby	Scheduled PRN	Seasonal (Apr-Oct)
Environment	Outdoor / Extreme Cold	Indoor / Fast-Paced ER	Outdoor / Summer
Requirement	1-Hour Response	BLS Certification	Golf Etiquette
Employer	Non-Profit / Federal	For-Profit Healthcare	Municipal Government

To apply for this job please visit tessera.org.