IDOT holds open houses for seasonal employment

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced it will hold a second series of open houses for individuals interested in applying for seasonal positions to help with snow-and-ice removal statewide. Open houses will be held throughout the state to spread the word about the department's annual "snowbird" program and help facilitate applications.

At each open house, attendees will have a chance to speak with IDOT staff to learn more about the program and obtain assistance in submitting an application, which must be completed online.

Open houses are as follows:

District 1:

Northbrook Maintenance Facility

1916 Techny Road, Northbrook

Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Interstate 55 Maintenance Facility

151 E. South Frontage Road, Bolingbrook

Saturday, Oct. 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

District 2:

Milan Maintenance Facility

4128 69th Ave., Milan

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m.

Rockford Maintenance Facility

4109 11th St., Rockford

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m.

Geneseo Maintenance Facility

828 N. College Ave., Geneseo

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m.

Creston Maintenance Facility

5870 S. Mulford Road, Creston

Thursday, Sept. 29, 4-6 p.m.

Roscoe Maintenance Facility

9988 N. Second St., Roscoe

Thursday, Sept. 29, 4-6 p.m.

District 4:

Morton Maintenance Facility

1971 N. Morton Ave., Morton

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 4-6 p.m.

Knoxville Maintenance Facility

1393 Knox Highway 9, Galesburg

Thursday, Oct. 6, 4-6 p.m.

District 5:

Bloomington Team Section

2621 S. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington

Thursday, Oct. 6, 4-6 p.m.

Heading into September, a total of 2,536 temporary winter positions were open: District 1 (640), District 2 (266), District 3 (307), District 4 (215), District 5 (235), District 6 (208), District 7 (214), District 8 (284), and District 9 (167). Click here for a map of IDOT's districts.

Both Snow Removal Operators and Winter Salaried Highway Maintainers are being hired to help maintain more than 45,000 lane miles statewide during winter. They are required to promptly respond to emerging weather situations for snow-and-ice removal and be ready to work in emergency conditions at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Applications for Winter Salaried Highway Maintainers and Snow Removal Operators must be submitted online. Paper applications cannot be accepted. For job postings throughout the state, visit: https://illinois.jobs2web.com.

Applicants must have a commercial driver's license and submit to a criminal background check. A pre-employment physical and vision test as well as drug and alcohol screening are required. A new law provides for veterans' preference for these seasonal positions and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, job-related experience and qualifications. For additional information, including positions available and the application process in specific districts, details on pay and potential for benefits, please click here.

A short, animated video on the snowbird program is available on IDOT's YouTube channel.