Nebraska DOT trying to fill vacancies ahead of winter

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The State of Nebraska is dealing with staff shortages in many of its departments.

The Department of Transportation currently has 200 openings.

NDOT is exploring ways to fill vacancies such as snowplow operators ahead of winter.

“We know it’s going to be a challenge,” spokeswoman Shannon Ankeny said. “But we are ready to go. ”

Ankeny said that the department is being proactive and working ahead as much as possible.

“If we do have an above-average winter, we’ll of course have those added challenges that could result in a delay in clearing snow,” she said.

But NDOT is not the only agency in Nebraska that struggles with staff shortages.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees said it has to do with low wages.

“The  Nebraska Department of Transportation is critically short staffed,” said Justin Hubly, the executive director of the association.

“A mechanic starting wage is $18.60; that’s not aligned with the market,” he said. “They should be paying closer to $28.”

NDOT said that with Nebraska’s low unemployment rate, which is one of the lowest in the country, it is a challenge to recruit people.

Ankeny said the department is having conversations on the many benefits that NDOT offers to its employees.

The department offers on-the-job training for people who do not have experience.

You can find more information on openings and benefits on its website.