snow plow operator

driver assistant

PennDOT

I do appreciate my employment here and do have great supervisors. However I have seen that previous and present inspectors do not complete the responsibilities of the given work. A typical day is one where much previously undocumented information is recorded during my inspections. The management here is great as they appreciate the work I accomplish. My assistant is new but is also extremely thorough with great work ethics. The hardest part of my job is that I am aware that present and previous inspectors have not done the work to the best of their abilities. These inspections should be based on documentation of deficiencies and conditions of the elements so that future inspectors and inspections require minimum updates. It is a fact that I use much time during these inspections documenting information that should already be there. The most enjoyable part of my job is being responsible for the safety of traveling public. It is a responsibility that is and should be taken very seriously. I aslo enjoy the fact that I save taxpayers a lot of money due to my efficiency along with accessing structures that have not been accessed during previous inspections due to inspection conditions such as higher water and low underclearances.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Most people are good people; sometimes you're asked to do things that don't make a lot of sense, and this is often joked about between employees.  Pay is not the best, but the job is also not difficult.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The bureaucracy; oftentimes the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.  Communication is often lacking, and pro-active planning is not often used.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
They preach about safety until they want something done, and then it seems that they only care about results.  Having said that, most of the time people are pretty understanding if you can articulate doing things a certain way.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You show up to work and have no idea what you're going to do until you get there....if you do have an idea, if often changes the day you're supposed to do it.  Equipment breaks down, people call in sick, etc, etc.  Things are constantly changing.

Typically a day at PennDOT includes overviewing many projects, and doing an extensive amount of paperwork for each. Each individual project requires a lot of detail, observation, and attention. A lot of work goes in to each project and many never become approved. This demonstrates an understanding of trial and failure, but to continue being persistent. I've learned how to do very detail-oriented work, and how to work well alongside of others, as teamwork has always been a strong suit of mine. The people in the work place were incredibly kind and friendly, it was an absolute pleasure to work with them. The hardest part of the job was the more complicated projects and the more than usual attention It required, but that can be easily overcome by balancing what can be handled at one time efficiently. The most enjoyable part of the job besides the work, was my co-workers. All of the employees of PennDOT are truly kind and hardworking individuals, working alongside them was very motivational for me.

rator
What is the best part of working at the company?
Most people are good people; sometimes you're asked to do things that don't make a lot of sense, and this is often joked about between employees. Pay is not the best, but the job is also not difficult.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The bureaucracy; oftentimes the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. Communication is often lacking, and pro-active planning is not often used.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
They preach about safety until they want something done, and then it seems that they only care about results. Having said that, most of the time people are pretty understanding if you can articulate doing things a certain way.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You show up to work and have no idea what you're going to do until you get there....if you do have an idea, if often changes the day you're supposed to do it. Equipment breaks down, people call in sick, etc, etc. Things are constantly changing. bad job Pay okay 

Place is great, left a job that paid more but I wasn’t home. 
Took the pay cut to be able to have home time. 
Union job so of course seniority is a big deal. 
Spent years working my way up from flagging to operating. Training is done either in house or you get sent out. Plenty of courses to help you learn the specifics for job, crack sealing, shoulder cutting, pipe, paving…etc
As for the people complaining about being lied to…..someone who has put time in and waited for years isn’t going to give up their spot because you came in, you don’t just get to drive truck all day, it is a job where we maintain the roadways. 
People are great the work isn’t back breaking. 

Here's the thing.... You've got a put in the time. It's seniority based so the longer you stick with it, the easier it gets. Sure you'll flag when you start out but people get hired FAST and you move up the chain. I have watched people start and within 6 months have several people under them seniority wise and not have to flag anymore. Everyone gets to run equipment if they want, there is a TON of training opportunities and the more you know, the more you'll get to do. Plowing snow is whatever, stressful at times because the lights on the truck suck and management doesn't want you using a bunch of material but if you get a good foreman that will go to bat for you, and use good judgement, you'll be alright. 

Working for PennDot was a great way for me to experience the industrial workforce. I learned how to Fabricate, operate power tools, air tools, a drill press, and a ban saw. My title was a welder/fabricator, my main job was to repair any truck parts dealing with metal, make different types of brackets each of their own purpose, and fix truck plows. I operated a grinder, set of torches, and a MIG welder everyday. I made my own blueprints as a reminder of how to make each bracket i was told to make. My co-workers were great to work with, we got things done smoothly and done on time. Arguing and complaining wasn't an issue for me while working at PennDot. The most enjoyable part of working at PennDot was being able to learn how to operate all the equipment so I could have more experience and knowledge for my other future jobs.

I was hired as temporary staff for th winter for one of PA's counties. It was an essential job since it was the communications center for the county. As such in offered little flexibility in working hours, I was anxious to work, and glad for the position. However, I found that if you needed some time off and provided the reason, they would accommodate you, if you could provide adequate notice. The work was varied, somewhat interesting, but also very repetitive, but it was essential. I dealt with the public and the PennDOT staff and management, and found the work fulfilling since much of the work was communicating public and organizational requests (911, municipality) requests to staff and management for service for scheduling and completion.

If your hurting and need something to do temporary until you can find something better, it’s an ok job but not worth it to try and make a career of.  There’s way too much BS involved in working for the state or even worse working in a corrupt union.  Forget about what you’ve been thinking that you’ll be running equipment at this place.  That’s only if it’s snowing and you get to run the truck for your shift.  Any other time your low man and get carted around in the crew truck.  They try not to have you driving as much since it’s considered to be out of class even after you go to get state road certified.  That’s right, you get hired in a county, go thru their little road test and then get shipped up the line for 2 weeks to get your regional road test done.  Good luck

They are not looking for a driver they are looking for labor. You will be working hands on more than you will be driving forget how many year of experience  you have they treat you like you know nothing. You will get paid only 37.50 hours a week an they act like  they own you .I guess if  you have everything you need out of life than I guess is good for you but you will never achieve anything working  at penndot . They say your primary  purpose is for snow events  but they will work you all year around  no matter  if it is raining  or unsafe . Get use to picking up  road kill an standing  outside from anywhere around 6 to 8 hour in the cold. If you could make it to retirement congratulation you deserve  what your getting I worked for ten months an I was looking for a way out this was from my experience 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Snow plow operator 1 salary reported	$30,000 per year
Driver assistant 1 salary reported	$37,000 per year

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