DUNMORE — As PennDOT officials aim to attract seasonal workers for the winter season, they’re touting the temporary positions as a potential springboard to a full-time job.
Kaitlyn Drumheller, maintenance services engineer for Department of Transportation Engineering District 4, noted PennDOT anticipates a significant number of retirements over the next several years.
“Whether you’re looking for seasonal employment, enjoy working in a fast-paced team environment, or are interested in starting a career with opportunities for permanent employment, PennDOT has a place for you,” Drumheller said. “Recruiting and developing employees for the next generation is critical to maintaining the safe and reliable transportation system our communities depend on.”
Carl Kmiec, PennDOT District 4 human resources officer, also stressed PennDOT offers opportunities for advancement.
“When they apply and get hired as a temporary CDL operator under the winter program, they can bid for permanent openings as they occur,” he said. “Our permanent positions are filled, but we always have room for seasonal staff. If we can get more people into the seasonal pool, that only helps the community.”
Kmiec added seasonal workers also have an opportunity for overtime work.
District 4 — which serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties — has immediate openings for transportation equipment operators with commercial driver’s licenses, diesel and construction equipment mechanics, automotive mechanics, laborers and clerical dispatchers throughout the district for September through April, Drumheller said.
Specifically, PennDOT seeks to fill 130 CDL operator positions and 30 additional support staff positions in District 4.
The hourly rates for the temporary winter positions are as follows: winter CDL equipment operator, $23.46/hour; winter dispatcher (clerical assistant 1), $17.73; diesel & construction equipment mechanic, $28.94; auto mechanic, $25.47; and semi-skilled laborer & tradesman helper, $18.83.
Kaitlyn Drumheller, maintenance service engineer for PennDOT’s Engineering District 4, speaks in a conference room of the district’s office in Dunmore Monday, August 3, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Kaitlyn Drumheller, maintenance service engineer for PennDOT’s Engineering District 4, discusses employement opportunities during a press conference in the conference room of the district’s office in Dunmore Monday, August 3, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Kaitlyn Drumheller, maintenance service engineer for PennDOT’s Engineering District 4, speaks in a conference room of the district’s office in Dunmore Monday, August 3, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Crews in District 4 maintain nearly 4,000 miles of state highways, more than 8,500 snow lane miles, and over 2,000 bridges, Drumheller said. She added employees use 100,000 tons of salt and more than 1 million gallons of brine to keep roads safe and passable each winter.
“Our CDL operators plow snow and treat roadways; our mechanics keep hundreds of pieces of equipment operating safely, and our radio dispatchers coordinate communications with county maintenance organizations, emergency responders, and 911 centers while providing timely roadway conditions,” Drumheller said. “Every position plays a vital role in keeping our communities moving throughout the winter.”
To make the application process easier, PennDOT will host open houses Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. at each of the six county maintenance offices, as well as the district office
Assistance will be provided at the following sites: PennDOT District 4 Office, 55 Keystone Industrial Park Road, Dunmore; Lackawanna County, 1034 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit; Luzerne County, 381 S. Main St., Ashley; Pike County, 291 SR 739, Hawley; Susquehanna County, 18786 State Route 706, Montrose; Wayne County, 984 Texas Palmyra Highway, Honesdale; and Wyoming County, 1 Franklin Avenue, Tunkhannock.