Geary County Public Works will have to deal with a shortage of equipment operators including snowplow / motor-grader operators. Corey Trumpp, Public Works Administrator, said the shortages are in line with workforce shortages across the state.
Trumpp stated that these shortages create the potential for highways and gravel roads to not be cleared of snow and ice as quickly as in past years.
Geary County Public Works has dealt with reduced staffing in the past, and worked through those times. The shortages are greater this year, with the Department about 45% short of equipment operators necessary to be fully staffed. Employees work 12-hour shifts in their effort to keep roads open for the traveling public and emergency vehicles.
Public Works will rely on all employees who have a commercial driver's license to clear roadways of snow and ice. For people interested in working at Geary County Public Works, go to the county's website at https://gearycounty.org/. Geary County will assist selected applicants in obtaining a CDL upon hiring, including paying for training.