Those in search of work would be wise to attend a job fair hosted by PennDOT ON Tuesday in Lehighton.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the PennDOT Carbon County office, 930 Bridge St., Lehighton.

The event will include on-site interviews with job offers. District and county employees will be on hand to answer questions regarding employment, and to assist attendees with the application process.

PennDOT is looking to fill a variety of positions in the county, including CDL operators, mechanics and clerks.

Temporary employees only receive monetary compensation, while permanent full-time employees receive salary and benefits, said Ron Young, PennDOT’s District 5 press officer.

Young said paid hourly rates are transportation equipment/CDL operator, $17.48-$19.72, based on location; diesel and construction equipment mechanic, $20.91-$22.24, based on location; auto mechanic, $18.53; and stock clerk, $14.61.

While this isn’t the first job fair, Young said, “it has been many, many years since PennDOT has held (a job fair) in our region.”

“We do need people, but every winter we hire winter temporary operators to help us supplement our own staff with winter storms and winter weather,” Young said. “We also need some diesel mechanics, clerks, looking beyond just winter temporary operators as well.”

Young discussed the qualifications the candidates must possess.

“In order to operate one of our plow trucks, they would need their commercial license, and a medical card which clears them medically to operate a big commercial vehicle,” he said. “If interested, they can almost get hired on the spot if they bring their credentials and prove they know what they’re doing.”

Young said there is a need, and that throughout their six-county region, they need roughly 60 winter temporary operators.

“We do want to fill these positions,” he said. “We will have some of our employees there from our (Carbon) county office, as well as District 5 office in Allentown to assist applicants with the process of applying, and answer any questions they may have.”

Young explained how PennDOT would function during the winter months in the event it isn’t able to fill the positions.

“PennDOT will adjust working hours for existing employees, or bring employees from other Penn­DOT county offices not affected by the winter storm, in to assist,” he said.

Young noted that while the job fair is being hosted in Carbon, PennDOT’s six-region area also encompasses Monroe, Schuylkill, Northampton, Lehigh and Berks counties.

“If someone’s looking for employment longer term, it’s a way in the door, so to speak, for someone to operate our large trucks,” he said.

Young said they are currently not required to be vaccinated, though it is encouraged, but added they would have to follow all other COVID-19 protocols.

Applicants should bring an updated copy of their resume. CDL operators also should bring their current driver’s license and medical card.

View the current available positions by going online to www.employment.pa.gov.