(Audacy) — PennDOT hasn't been immune to hiring struggles plaguing a number of industries across the country.
Pennsylvania is short 270 permanent positions and 560 temporary ones, but the Department of Transportation said that doesn’t mean the roads will be treacherous this winter.
“Our goal is to keep roads safe and passable rather than completely free of ice and snow,” said Alexis Campbell, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The roads will be cleared once the snow stops, she said.
She said staffing levels at this point last year are similar to this year. They've filled 41% of temporary winter operator positions and 94% of permanent positions statewide.
Across the commonwealth, certain counties are doing better than others.
PennDOT's District 6, which covers Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, is still looking to hire seasonal winter equipment operators, similar to across the state, according to Robyn Briggs, community relations coordinator for the district.
"Staffing levels this year, at this point, are similar to last year’s," Briggs said of the collar counties in an email to KYW Newsradio. "We have hired 11% of what we would like."
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While there are openings, Briggs said the district has recently hired more than 20 full-time equipment operators, and she assured "we'll still be able to get the roads passable even if we do not make more hires," by adjusting shifts of the full-time staff.
According to Lori Musto, assistant district executive of maintenance at PennDOT District 11, Allegheny County is down 10 temporary and 10 permanent workers. Lawrence County is down as many as nine temporary workers but has filled all of its permanent openings.
Musto said Beaver County is struggling most in southwestern Pennsylvania.
"We're currently down 23 permanent operators in Beaver County, and all of our temporary positions are open in Beaver County," she said.
On the other hand, District 10, which consists of Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson counties, is seeing increases in hiring over last year.
"Our district is currently sitting pretty well for our staffing levels," said Christina Gibbs, spokesperson for District 10. "Every one of our counties has filled the positional at a higher percentage than last year. We held job fairs in each of our counties this year where those interested in a career with PennDOT could come to the event, get assistance with their application, be interviewed and if applicable, be tested on the spot. These were very successful for us."
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Though some counties are still short drivers, districts have contingency plans in place to make sure service isn't disrupted.
"I will bring in rental trucks if I need to supplement where we're short-staffed," Musto said. "I will utilize what we call at MET team. It's a mobilized team that we'll work with our unions on crossing county or district lines."
That doesn't mean residents won't need to have a little patience this winter. Musto said major roads are always a priority.
"The roads will get snow-covered during an event. It does take our trucks time to run their routes and their cycles."
Job opportunities with PennDOT are posted to their website.
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