JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Even though Missouri is still in the dog days of summer, the Missouri Department of Transportation has begun preparations to make sure it has the right number of people in the right places ready to treat and plow Missouri's 34,000 miles of state roads when winter weather hits.
Each year the department recruits seasonal workers and emergency snowplow operators to help the department's 2,400 maintenance employees when a major storm hits the region or state. MoDOT’s Central District has about 30 open positions for seasonal workers and 54 for emergency snowplow operators.
MoDOT requires maintenance worker applicants to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED/HiSET. Applicants must also successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening. Other job requirements, as well as the on-line application, can be found at www.modot.org/central.
Seasonal maintenance workers, while not permanent positions, work full-time for the duration of the winter season performing snow removal and other maintenance activities. Seasonal workers are paid $12.69 per hour.
Emergency snowplow operators do not have guaranteed working hours, but are called upon during winter storms. Those hired as emergency operators can earn $14.10 to $15.94 per hour, depending on their level of experience.
"Hiring seasonal maintenance and emergency snowplow operators is one of the most cost-effective ways we can get extra help during winter storms," said MoDOT Central District Maintenance Engineer Randy Aulbur. "We staff our maintenance forces at a level that will allow us to provide excellent service to Missourians, but if a winter storm hits and crews are working around the clock, we need to make sure we have enough people to operate safely."
MoDOT annually spends approximately $46 million to keep roads clear in the winter and help ensure that motorists get to their destinations safely and quickly. To learn more about MoDOT’s winter operations, visit www.modot.org or call 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636).
