A snowplow truck operator is employed by businesses that offer both residential and industrial snow removal services. To clear snow from various surfaces, these individuals need to know how to operate and manage complex snow plows.
They are also expected to have in-depth knowledge of maintaining assigned snow plows and performing minor repairs and maintenance on them. For a town, city, or municipality’s public works division, snowplowing is typically an on-call or contracted position.
Some snow plowers are contractors working for private customers, such as condominiums, corporations, and malls. If you want to become one, here’s what you need to remember! Read on to learn how to apply for snow plow truck jobs.
An Overview of Typical Responsibilities
After a snowfall, you run and retain equipment used to clear public roadways and areas as a snow plower. Snowplow operators are general public workers in several jurisdictions who perform other tasks outside of snow removal.
A snow plower’s core task is to run a snowplow or tractor to remove snow from the roadways with a plow. This also means going out to clear snow late at night or early in the morning as precipitation is unforeseeable, and roads need to be removed before traffic reaches rush hour.
As you drive to avoid build-up or freezing, plows often have spreaders on the back used to disperse salt and sand on the roads.
Usually, operators of snowplow trucks are responsible for the protection and maintenance of their vehicles. It pays for care whether the town or city owns the equipment. If you own the machinery, the repairs must be paid for.
Essential Tasks
For both successful snow removal and safety on the roadways, proper working equipment is necessary. Among the things you need to check periodically on a snowplow or truck are fluid levels, engine belts, tires, brakes, and lights.
Here are some other tasks a snowplow truck operator needs to do.
- Raise and put the snow from various locations on the snowplow’s back to move it to another spot
- To provide them with snow removal alerts, connect with clients, and get work orders signed by them
- Ensure that the allocated snowplows are maintained and that the manager is aware of any maintenance needs
Requirements and Qualifications
Usually, a high school diploma or a GED equivalent is required to work as a snowplow operator. It is also essential to have a license to drive a snowplow within the state you plan to operate.
Of course, you would be considered an excellent applicant to employ in this role if you have served in this capacity before. Because there are different types of snowplows for various circumstances, you will need to master all of them.
When working as a snowplow operator, physical stamina and grit are a given, as you can regularly brave inclement weather conditions. Also, often you are forced to work odd hours, which is why a flexible schedule is crucial.
Average Salary
The average annual wage for a Snow Plow Driver in the United States is $51,510 a year as of Nov 29, 2020. Just in case you need a quick calculator of wages, it averages out to be around $24.76 an hour. This is the $991/week or $4,292/month equivalent.
How to Get a Job
The only other responsibility for contracted snowplow operators is to log hours and operations for record-keeping and obtain payment. When it doesn’t snow for public works staff, a variety of other tasks are typically assigned.
It is also possible for workers to mow public lawns, repair sidewalks, gutters, and shoulders, strip roads, and clean up ditches and debris.
The job description of the municipality for full-time snowplow operators usually contains information about other activities. You can apply through job portals, such as Indeed, or Glassdoor.
Conclusion
As a snowplow truck operator, you assist maintenance staff in spreading cleared surfaces with sand and salt. As part of the public awareness campaign, you also help clients recognize the value of protection on wet or semi-wet surfaces.
Also read – Make Extra Money as a Roof Snow Removal Specialist