MILAN, Ill. — The Quad Cities may not have any snow on the ground just yet, but officials are staffing up to be prepared for when the temperatures get cold.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is holding an open house to recruit seasonal snow and ice removal workers to brave the elements this winter. The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Milan Maintenance Yard, located at 4128 69th Ave.
Officials will be hiring for both hourly and salaried roles. The starting salary for full-time roles is $5,814 a month, and hourly workers receive a starting rate of $25 an hour. Anyone interested in applying for one of the positions can apply here, and applications are due by Monday, Sept. 30. Applicants are required to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a hazmat or tanker endorsement, and must submit to a background check and drug screenings. Military veterans will receive preference in hiring and are especially encouraged to apply.
"The year I did it, there was a lot of ice storms, and that was really hectic," Jesus Gonzalez, one of the job applicants said. Gonzalez, an East-Moline resident, worked for IDOT two years ago as a "monthly snowbird," which are given schedules and consistent employment throughout the winter season. The other type of employment is on-call hourly-paid work. Hourly workers are referred to as "hourly snowbirds." Having worked this schedule before, Gonzalez said opportunities like this mean everything to those looking for work in this economy.
"These days it's pretty important. The cost of living is too high," Gonzalez said.
"The monthlies work from approximately Nov. 1 and through the end of March and into early April," Brad Sibley, administration manager of district two for the Illinois Department of Transportation said. "The hourlies are only called in for inclement weather."
Officials said that getting those roles filled is key to making sure they can get streets cleared in a timely fashion.
"Every year we got openings that we need to fill," Ernesto Negron with IDOT said. "Instead of being eight hours to clear the storm, if we're short on personnel, it might take 12 hours."