Prepping for winter, the Iowa DOT is recruiting hundreds of snowplow drivers

The Iowa Department of Transportation is hoping to hire more than 500 seasonal snowplow operators for the winter ahead, and a recruitment eventwas held Wednesday afternoon in Coralville, with more events coming in the next few weeks. Craig Bargfrede (BARG-freed), the D-O-T’s winter operations administrator, says the agency has 100 state maintenance garages and they’re aiming to fill multiple positions at each one — in nearly every county statewide.

He says snowplow operators play a vital role in keeping Iowa’s roads safe and communities connected during winter weather, and the pay is competitive.

It’s seasonal work and there’s no way of telling whether these snowplow operators will be called in once a week or daily depending on when the flakes fly and whether there’s a blizzard.

Driving a big orange snowplow can be exceptionally challenging, but he says it also brings a sense of pride and accomplishment.

The recruitment events are being held at D-O-T maintenance garages and they all run from 3 to 5:30 P-M. Events are scheduled for September 28th in Council Bluffs and September 29th in Sioux City.