MoDOT looking to fill open positions across the state

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Transportation is working to fill hundreds of open positions across the state.

Right now, the department has hundreds of full-time and emergency maintenance positions available.

Central District Maintenance Engineer Jason Shafer said MoDOT is working through the staffing challenges the same way other industries are by trying to get the word out.

"If a person is looking for a position that no two days are going to be alike and there's always something different going on, I would encourage them to come to work for MoDOT," Shafer said.

Shafer said staffing shortages can affect road projects in the state.

"Whenever you have a set amount of work to do and you need a certain amount of people to do it and you have fewer people you're not going to get things done as rapidly as you want to and, you know, we have felt it as far as some projects," Shafer said. "We get it done, but just not as timely as we'd like to simply because you can only get so much done in a day's time with so many people."

The department has planned hiring events statewide for July and August. MoDOT had at least three job fairs planned for this week. An event was held on Monday in St. Joseph. MoDOT hosted a career fair in Lee's Summit on Thursday and another fair is planned for Friday in Ballwin.

According to MoDOT's website, full-time maintenance employees receive training, retirement benefits, paid leave, as well as medical, vision and dental insurance. Salaries start at $19.08 per hour, depending on the person's experience and area of operation.

Anyone interested in applying for a job can find a list of open positions on the state's website. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and complete a criminal background check.