With at least two more months of winter, the state Department of Transportation is looking to fill hundreds of positions across the state.
The available positions include highway maintenance workers, mechanics,and engineers.
Permanent and seasonal positions are available across the state for highway maintenance workers to plow snow this winter, officials said.
DOT maintains substations throughout Columbia and Greene counties, with the largest two located on Bross Street in Cairo and Route 66 in Greenport.
Applications are being accepted for the available positions in the Capital Region, state DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez.
“Our DOT family of public servants is among the best trained at performing the essential services that make a real difference in the lives of New Yorkers,” Dominguez said. “Our employees receive competitive pay and benefits, along with professional experiences that are only obtainable in public service. I encourage everyone who wants to be part of this dynamic team to apply today, so you can help us continue to perform the wide range of services that provide connectivity, safety and prosperity for communities.”
Many of the available positions are in the Twin County area.
Across the state’s various regions, the department is hiring fleet technicians and highway maintenance workers. Openings include both permanent and seasonal roles, said Bryan Viggiani, public information officer for Region 1.
Greene County lies within Region 1, Columbia County is listed under Region 8.
To apply, a candidate must be at least 18 years old and pass a physical and drug test. Some positions require a clean, valid Class A or Class B commercial driver’s license. Those who do not possess a commercial driver’s license are also welcome to apply as the department offers in-house training and road tests to obtain the license, Viggiani said.
Those who are hired will be trained and evaluated on several pieces of essential equipment and are expected to perform productive work while gaining experience. Physical labor is required for most of the positions.
During the winter, maintenance workers primarily assist in snow and ice removal, but also are expected to perform general highway and bridge repairs and maintenance, Viggiani said.
Shifts for maintenance workers will vary depending on location. Employees can be expected to work overtime. Training is provided by highly professional and experienced instructors. Depending on job duties, employees will receive an allowance for footwear, a call-out bonus, and Special Assignment to Duty Pay, while mechanics are also eligible for an allowance for tools, Viggiani said.
Billboards promoting the recruitment campaign are located across Greene and Columbia counties.