Emergency Snow Plow Operator

State of Minnesota; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 3,247,000 - 4,353,000; Part time

Job summary

State of Minnesota, Transportation Dept, District 1A–Duluth, seeks Emergency Snow Plow Operators for seasonal snow/ice removal across district locations. Positions operate during winter, with shifts Mon–Fri, 6-month season, up to 45 days/year with varying locations.

CDL-B with tanker endorsement required; report within one hour of call. Open to all qualified job seekers; includes health and retirement benefits as part of MnDOT employment.

Qualifications

• 1 year of experience in snow/ice, soils, road surface maintenance, roadside maintenance, bridge maintenance, signs, or related activities.
• Education coursework can substitute for one year of experience (60 sem/90 qtr credits).
• Valid MN CDL Class B with tanker endorsement; no air brake restriction; tanker endorsement within 2 weeks of hire.
• Working knowledge of English to read, write, and communicate; logs and records.

Responsibilities

• Operate Emergency Snow Plow Operator duties during a 6-month season on an intermittent basis.
• Report to assigned truck stations and be available within one hour of being called.
• Ensure safety and compliance with CDL requirements and company policies.

Skills

Snow plowing

Road maintenance

Radio communication

Education

Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance Program

MN CDL Class B with Tanker Endorsement

Job description

Working Title: Emergency Snow Plow Operator

Job Class: Transportation Generalist / Transportation Associate

Agency: Transportation Dept

• Job ID : 97443

• Location : Various

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Intermittent

• Regular/Temporary : Emergency

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/06/2026

• Closing Date : 10/19/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Transportation Dept / Transportation-Dist 1-AFSCME

• Division/Unit : District 1A - Duluth / South Subarea

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Transportation Associate Salary Range: $23.57 - $24.28 / hourly

• Transportation Generalist Salary Range: $25.19 - $31.60 / hourly

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 202 - Craft, Maintenance, Labor/AFSCME

• Work Area : Various

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

** The Minnesota Department of Transportation does not sponsor applicants for work visas or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment.

MnDOT has a number of vacancies for Emergency Snow Plow Operator (Transportation Associate and Transportation Generalist levels) located at various Truck Stations throughout District 1. If you are interested in being considered for full-time winter positions in Northeast, you may also apply to Job ID: 97458 (Temporary Snow Plow Operator).

Emergency Snow Plow Operators will be utilized during a 6-month season for snow and ice removal on an intermittent basis. These positions are only called for work when needed and work for the State of MN for up to a maximum of 45 days (combined) in a 12-month period. This is a great opportunity for someone who is interested in plowing but still wants time off to enjoy winter sports or time at home to enjoy the beauty of Minnesota winters in the Northwoods!

Emergency positions may be located at Truck Stations in Duluth (Pike Lake & Nopeming), Carlton, Moose Lake, Sandstone, Pine City, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Grand Marais, Floodwood, McGregor, Grand Rapids, Ely, Virginia, Hibbing, Cook, International Falls, Littlefork (about 30 miles southwest of International Falls), Deer Lake (Effie).

Must be able to report to hired work location within one hour of being called.

Minimum Qualifications

Transportation Generalist Minimum Qualifications

Exam Part 1: The level of experience to perform this job at the TG level can be achieved with:

• Experience: One (1) year of experience performing activities in snow and ice, soils, road surface maintenance, roadside maintenance, bridge maintenance, signs, or related activities (roadway maintenance, driving commercial vehicles, commercial landscaping, operating heavy equipment, or farm experience.

OR

• Education: Successful completion of a Heavy Equipment Operation and Maintenance Program (of at least 60 semester credits; or 90 quarter credits) will substitute for one year of experience. (In order for education coursework to be considered in lieu of work experience you must submit a copy of your transcripts).

AND

• License: A minimum of a valid MN Commercial Driver’s License Class “B” with tanker endorsement and no air brake restriction at time of application. Tanker endorsement must be achieved within 2 weeks of hire date.

• Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak, and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

Transportation Associate Minimum Qualifications

• License: A minimum of a valid MN Commercial Driver’s License Class “B” with tanker endorsement and no air brake restriction at time of application. Tanker endorsement must be achieved within 2 weeks of hire date.

• Working knowledge of English sufficient to read, write, speak and understand oral and written information; communicate with employees and the general public in-person or via two-way radio and other electronic devices; and to maintain routine written logs and simple records.

NOTE: The incumbent will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. New employees must pass a pre-placement drug test for evidence of use of marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines (MDMA, MDA and MDEA) and acetylmorphine (6-AM).

The incumbent is required to be immediately accessible to a phone and be able to report to work within one (1) hour of being called.

Veterans may be eligible for a waiver of CDL based on military experience. Please contact your County Veteran Service Officer(http://www.minnesotaveteran.org/CVSO/) to obtain a copy of your VMET DD2586.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work nights; may be required to work outside exposed to the weather elements (both hot and cold) on an intermittent basis. The employee will drive a motor vehicle in on & off-road conditions. Periodically, the employee will walk on even and uneven sloping ground. The employee must frequently and continually rotate through various body positions (standing, twisting, bending, sitting, kneeling, squatting). The employee will occasionally operate machinery and equipment (using vision and hearing) under varying temperatures. The employee may need to infrequently move between 50 and 70 pounds by pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying. The employee must be able to wear and use personal protective equipment to protect the head, eyes, hearing, respiration, visibility, and feet from injury.

Additional Requirements

Successful candidate must pass past-employer reference checks and criminal history check

It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check

• Criminal History Check

• Employment Reference Check

• Education/License Verification

• Driver's License Check

• This position is contingent upon the selected job candidate having a valid Commercial Driver’s License, submits to a Federal Department of Transportation Pre-employment drug test (with negative test results), is subject to future random drug and alcohol testing and is registered in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.