PennDOT still looking for snow plow drivers to fill local jobs over winter
Herald-Standard
A PennDOT plow truck clears Route 381 in Stewart Township in this file photo.
Alyssa Choiniere | Herald-Standard
The state Department of Transportation is looking for qualified drivers to round out its wintertime snow plowing shifts in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
The state Department of Transportation is looking for some extra snowplow drivers for the winter season, citing the availability of fewer qualified drivers in the area.
“Typically, we hire temporary positions during the winter to help with snow removal with drivers that have a CDL (commercial drivers) license,” said Valerie Petersen, Community Relations Coordinator for PennDOT District 12.
However, over the past few years, Petersen said there has been a shortage of people applying for those positions, so PennDOT officials have resorted to additional methods of advertising for the positions like automated message boards along the roadways and purchasing ad space in different publications.
Locally, Fayette and Greene counties are each short seven plow operators. Washington County is short 14 drivers and Petersen said Westmoreland County, the biggest of the four, is still in need of 20 people to clear the roads when the snow flies. They state’s made progress in their search, however, as a PennDOT progress report published in September listed the need for 32 drivers in Fayette, 38 in Westmoreland, 20 in Washington and 13 in Greene.
Petersen said officials have continued to look for operators through this month, and hope to have those slots filled before snow accumulations begin in earnest.
She said officials believe the shortage is due to more and more industries in the area hiring people who have commercial drivers licenses, leaving fewer candidates willing to take on the role.
And if the openings don’t get filled, Petersen said, local residents won’t have to worry about state roads going untreated. In the past, she said PennDOT has extended existing routes for plow drivers and put them on double shifts.
“We also have the capability of using contractors, should that need arise,” Petersen said. “Our key thing is we’re going to make sure the roads are passable and asking for patience from the motorists.”
No matter how many operators are on the roadways during any type of snow storm, Petersen said motorists need to look at the roadways and make the decision if they need to head out and then determine if the roads are okay for their vehicle.
She also suggested motorists have their cars prepared for winter driving, leave the house earlier to get wherever they need to go and be patients with plow trucks they may see on their way there.
Anyone who has a CDL and is interested in applying for a plow job can call PennDOT at 1-866-858-2753, or apply online at www.employment.pa.gov by looking under the “open jobs” tab.
PennDOT will offer training to run the different types of snow plows to successful candidates, Petersen said.