PennDOT CDL Operator Trainee (Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee)

PennDOT CDL Operator Trainee

Be part of a team that makes a real difference every day! As a PennDOT CDL Operator Trainee with the Department of Transportation, you will step into a role that helps keep our roads safe and well maintained. This trainee program provides hands on learning with equipment and safety practices that prepare you for long term success. You will gain valuable experience while working outdoors and supporting statewide transportation efforts. Choose a career path with PennDOT and help shape the roads that connect us all! Check out this video for more information!

Within this role, you will participate in a six-month trainee program focused on learning equipment operation, safety practices, and the manual labor skills needed to support highway and bridge maintenance. As a PennDOT CDL Operator Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Equipment Training: Learn to operate heavy trucks, loaders, and other roadway maintenance equipment accurately and safely
• Tool Operation: Use motorized and non-motorized tools such as shovels, rakes, saws, and tampers for maintenance tasks
• Safety Practices: Follow all safety rules, use required protective gear, and report hazards or incidents promptly
• Area Awareness: Stay alert to risks in the work zone and help protect yourself, coworkers, and motorists
• Environmental Care: Apply environmental protection practices required for maintenance activities

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Travel, overtime, and shift work may be required. Work hours are subject to change based on seasonal requirements and operational needs.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications:

• This position requires possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C Driver's License or equivalent.
• All employees must possess an active Pennsylvania Class A or B Commercial Driver Learner's Permit on the first day of work.
• All positions require employees to possess an active Medical Examiner's Certificate in accordance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations by the first day of work.

Additional Requirements:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Ability to demonstrate successful operation of equipment with a manual transmission.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.