KINGWOOD – More than 30 people attended the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) job fair Wednesday in Preston County.
That’s according to Leslie Adkins, job recruiter for the event, which was held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center on W.Va. 72.
“Some of the applicants were waiting when the fair opened at 9 a.m.,” she said.
Applicants must still pass drug tests and a background check before they will know if they have a job.
WVDOT is seeking transportation worker one and two workers. Darby Clayton, District 4 Engineer, said transportation one workers do general labor but have the opportunity to move up and get their CDL (commercial driver’s license).
“Within the first six months we set them up for a written exam and provide them with a mentor,” Adkins said. “The mentor teaches them on a piece of equipment.”
She said when the person is ready, he or she takes a road test with the equipment. “When they pass that test we will pay for their CDL license. It saves them thousands of dollars they would spend going to trucking school and paying for the license,” Adkins said.
Preston County is funded for 55 WVDOT workers but only has 44, according to information provided last week by Clayton. Highways officials say it is hard to compete against salaries offered by the gas industry for workers.
Clayton said working for WVDOT is a great opportunity for someone who would like to work close to home. He said advancing through the program and receiving raises is fairly easy. “Every 10 months you can increase your pay.”
Clayton said there is also the advantage of knowing your schedule, which is usually 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“That gives you evenings and weekends free. There is also 14 paid holidays a year.” He said during the winter months employees can be on call. “If you work overtime you are paid time and a half”.
“We are also interviewing for transportation two equipment operators,” Adkins said. “This requires at least a Class B CDL license.”
“This job includes mowing using riding mowers, driving truck and plowing in the winter,” she said.
Clayton said the WVDOT is also looking for temporary workers for the summer. “If we had 10 temps it would benefit the county in many ways.” Temporary employees work six months, 40 hours a week “If in that six months a full-time job comes up the temporary worker could move to full-time.”
Benefits provided by WVDOT include medical, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation; paid holidays; paid sick leave; life insurance; retirement plan; employee education reimbursement and leave program; and promotion opportunities, according to Adkins.
“For those who stay with us over the years they accrue leave or vacation time. You can use your vacation time as you need it.”
For those who missed the job fair, applications can be found on line at www.personnel.wv.gov or can be picked up at the Albright or Bridgeport offices. Or for more information email Adkins at leslie.r.adkins@wv.gov.
