Public Works Laborer

TITLE                                    Laborer

SALARY RANGE                Salary Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

 

SUMMARY

A Public Works Laborer is responsible for the operation of a variety of construction and maintenance equipment and for performing manual labor activities as needed and/or required by the Public Works Department.  The majority of the work consists of the construction and the maintenance of Township roads, drainage structures, grounds and facilities.  Laborers also work in park maintenance, as sign crews, snow removal crews, and in other related areas. The position operates various hands and power tools, including mowers, saws, brush cutters, tar machines, air compressors and other equipment of similar complexity.  The position also drives trucks and operates heavy construction equipment if the employee has the ability to do so.  The position will operate vehicles to transport tools and equipment, apply road construction materials, plow snow and spread ice and snow control materials.  The position is responsible for performing preventative maintenance operations on the vehicles operated and for reporting other needed maintenance.  Equipment operation will include trucks, mowers, rollers, back hoes, material loaders and other vehicles of similar complexity.  The position will be responsible to perform other related work as may be required.

 

DUTIES

 

Loading and unloading of materials and tools from trucks

Assisting in crack seal and inlets, patching of highway surfaces by cleaning pot holes, applying patching material, leveling and packing, cleaning and sealing highway surface cracks

Cutting grass, brush, trees and branches using hand and powered tools, applying weed killers

Digging drainage ditches, cleaning out drains and pipes

Applying snow and ice control material and other maintenance chemicals

Performing minor maintenance and repair operations on equipment and vehicles

Cleaning and painting of Township facilities. Plant, water and maintain landscape areas.

Cleans drainage facilities of debris; cleans out catch basins.

Acts as a flagger to alert traffic and protect crew when required; sets up and picks up cones after work in the right-of-way.  Operate a variety of tools such as a jackhammer, tamper, lawn mower and carpentry tools. Operates light utility vehicles, operates a dump truck to load and unload materials as required in some operations. 

Performs related work as required and other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Completion of a 12th grade high school education. Any combination equivalent to: sufficient training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed above including six (6) months performing general maintenance duties.

Possession of a valid Pennsylvania motor vehicle operator's license for the class of vehicle to be operated.

Preferred possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Commercial Driver’s License but required to obtain (within six (6) months of employment start date) and maintain a valid Pennsylvania State Commercial Driver's License.

Knowledge of state laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles on highways

Knowledge of the proper operating procedures and safety practices associated with trucks, construction, and maintenance equipment

 

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

 

Ability to proficiently operate the following pieces of equipment:

Roller

Backhoe

Wheel loader

Street sweeper

Dump trucks

Snow plows

Salt spreaders

Power tools/chain saws

Air compressor

Excavator

Skid Steer

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to learn and carry out simple mechanical operations.

Ability to recognize defective operation of vehicles and to perform routine maintenance operations.

Ability to recognize defective operation of vehicles and to perform routine maintenance operations

Ability to follow all safety procedures and practices and wear proper safety equipment when necessary

Ability to learn and carry out simple mechanical operations.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions

Ability to respond to emergencies such as snowfall, floods, downed trees, etc.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to lift over 50 pounds occasionally from floor to waist level and waist to shoulder level.

On a frequent basis must be able to stand and/or walk.

On an occasional basis must be able to bend, twist/rotate.

Ability to work with arms extended and bent on occasion.

On an occasional basis must be able to push/pull with arms with force of up to 50 pounds while performing labor work.

On an occasion basis must be able to use hands and fingers to grasp/manipulate levers and steering wheel in a coordinated manner.

On a continuous basis must be able to maintain balance while climbing in and out of equipment cab.

On an occasion work various and/or long hours during emergencies outside of normal workday hours.

 

SELECTION

Based on merit, experience, training, education, and employment background checks