LEMOYNE, Pa. — Ahead of what is likely to be the first plowable snow in nearly a year, PennDOT says they've overcome a struggle to find staff in just about all central Pennsylvania's counties.
The agency was down dozens of workers back in November. Spokesperson Fritzi Schreffler attributes several open houses and a revamped hiring process to PennDOT filling those positions.
Aside from Lancaster, the vast majority of permanent positions are filled. Below is a look at openings in central Pa.'s five largest counties as of January 4, 2024.
Schreffler says temporary employees are a way to help ease the load of the full-time staff.
"The winter temps are kind of of a bonus for us," she said. "It's more of an urgent need when we're looking at significant amounts of snow or an extended period of time."
With these new hires, more plow drivers for PennDOT haven't had as much experience with plowable snow.
Schreffler says they take that into account when training.
"We also do what we call 'dry runs' which means that they go out over and over and over again on their own route," She said. "So they're looking for things like maybe there's raised manhole cover somewhere, maybe there's some kind of new streetscape that's been done so that the sidewalks are bumped out. Whatever it might be that they might not see during a snow event we we train them on that."
Schreffler says many of the seasonal or temp workers end up signing on for permanent positions.
Though PennDOT plans to have plows out this weekend, Schreffler says to avoid traveling during inclement weather if you don't have to. You can also check 511PA for up-to-date road information.
