December 1, 2023 |
Photo – WYDOT snowplow clearing shoulder of highway – Bigfoot99 file photo
WYDOT is looking for a few good snowplow operators.
The job comes with an immediate perk. Because of a shortage of full-time employees and the busy time of the year approaching, the state highway department has announced a $2,000 hiring bonus.
According to a news release from the state agency, the bonus is available for all permanent positions.
We’ve all seen the big yellow snowplows on the road when winter weather hits. When some people want to hunker down and ride out the storm, WYDOT drivers are already hard at work. Keeping the roads open is both challenging and rewarding.
WYDOT recently put together a promotional vehicle. Erik Brannigan is a District Safety Representative in the Sheridan area. Brannigan appears in the video talking about the demands of being a snowplow operator in Wyoming.
When a snowstorm hits our area, clearing the highways is easier said than done. The trucks need to be prepped and ready. The dedicated team of WYDOT plow operators fight difficult and dangerous conditions to keep state highways open for travelers.
During last week’s storm over the Thanksgiving holiday, three WYDOT plows were struck by careless drivers, including one here in Carbon County near Arlington.
Depending on weather and road conditions, shifts can last 12 hours and longer. The control panel for the plow sits in a console display to the right of the steering wheel. It includes joy sticks, rocker switches and other controls.
WYDOT spokesperson Doug McGee said currently 200 to 250 full-time openings are available within the department. The agency employs 2,000 people.
WYDOT is currently experiencing shortages of snowplow drivers, engineers, Highway Patrol dispatchers, Highway Patrol troopers and in maintenance dispatch centers, as well as mechanics in multiple locations.
The highway department has an immediate need for 40-fulltime plow drivers. As with most businesses and industries across the country, staffing shortages at WYDOT increased after the national freak out over COVID-19.
For plow drivers, the work is not done after the snow stops and the sun comes out.
WYDOT operates out of 65 locations around the state. A check of their web site on Thursday shows that the Rawlins shop has an opening for a temporary snowplow operator. The position pays over $20 an hour. The Rawlins shop is also advertising for an engineer, a position that pays about $30 an hour.
And remember, when you encounter a snowplow on the road, be patient and give them room to work.
