Laborer - Greenscapes

Performs routine manual work, usually of a repetitive nature. An employee in this class is responsible for performing duties primarily requiring physical exertion.
 

• Follows safe practices in the performance of duties.
• Cleans sewers, inlets, and water systems; washes windows, walls, and cleans building. 
• Uses manual and/or power-operated tools on routine tasks.
• Performs routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles. 
• Loads and unloads gravel, dirt, leaves, sewer pipes, timber, chemicals, asphalt, salt, storm drain pipes, sign materials, tools, and equipment.
• Performs extreme physical labor for extended periods of time under all weather conditions, with the ability to lift objects weighing up to one hundred (100) pounds. 
• Manually removes litter from right-of-way and easements. 
• Climbs ladders. 
• Manipulates both large and small tool parts. 
• Removes and replaces various types of pavement. 
• Uses and operates manual and power-operated tools and equipment, including but not limited to jackhammers, pavement breakers, shovels, sledgehammers, post drivers, tamp bars, chainsaws, compressors, cement mixers, and weed eaters.
• Performs manual labor involving loading and unloading trucks, digging ditches, cutting brush, and similar tasks.
• Digs holes and trenches.
• Drives and operates Public Works vehicles and equipment of various types.
• Restores streets; finishes surfaces to line and grade.
• Responsible for maintaining street cans that are sometimes overflowing from the weekends and special events downtown. 
• Responsible for citizen complaints, emergencies, storm damage, etc. that come in after the second shift has ended.
• Performs inlet cleaning, leaf removal, and snow and ice control.
• Provides assistance to journeypersons. 
• Performs additional work duties as assigned.

Bureau of Wastewater-Collections

• Assists with televising operations as camera assistant.
• Removes and replaces storm drains, with assistance, which can weigh up to 285 pounds. 
• Removes and replaces manhole covers which can weigh up to 165 pounds.
• Performs heavy manual labor to install, maintain, clean and repair water and sewer lines/mains, fire hydrants, manholes, and valves.
• Performs construction of basic repairs on water and sewer lines of various sizes, including shoring of ditches, and confined space entry.
• Carries equipment and materials for maintenance and repair of water/wastewater utilities, including opening manholes, vaults; shovels and carries heavy loads.

Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit

• Performs water system flushing (night shift).
• Installs water, sewer, and storm sewer pipe and manholes/inlets efficiently and safely
• May be assigned to a 4x10 schedule (40 regular hours) for construction work, depending on project needs. 
• Opens and closes water valves; maintains fire hydrants; and replaces worn or defective parts.
• May sand, scrape, and paint fire hydrants.
• Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, and makes water main cuts. 
• Works in construction zones including in trenches. 
• Responds to emergency situations as assigned (24/7). 

 Streets/Parks Departments – Night

• Tickets No Parking Signs in the Uptown Business District (2 a.m. to 6 a.m.).
• Performs surveys to report all lights that are out, including street lights and lights out at City-owned facilities and parks. 

Streets/Parks Departments – Day

• Erects and/or replaces street signs; drills holes in concrete and installs sign posts; sets up 

             and removes concrete traffic barriers. 

• Prepares grade for paving machine; spreads stone chips on street; places concrete and shovels

           asphalt mix in the repair and construction of City streets.

• Removes and replaces storm drains, with assistance, which can weigh up to 285 pounds. 
• Removes and replaces manhole covers, which can weigh up to 165 pounds.
• Performs heavy manual labor to install, maintain, clean, and repair water and sewer lines/mains, 

            fire hydrants, manholes and valves.

• Performs construction of basic repairs on water and sewer lines of various sizes, including shoring 

           of ditches, and confined space entry.

• Carries equipment and materials for maintenance and repair of water/wastewater utilities, including  opening manholes and vaults; shovels and carries heavy loads.

Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)

• Cuts grass with power equipment and hand tools. 
• Assists with maintenance and repair of Green Infrastructure BMPs, including but not limited to curbside rain gardens and stormwater projects. 
• Performs regular seasonal landscape maintenance on all landscaped beds on City-owned properties and within the public right-of-way, including but not limited to mulching and edging; litter/debris removal; and manual removal of weeds and non-native/invasive vegetation.
• Applies pre-emergent weed preventer and fertilizer as needed for plant care and establishment.
• Operates vehicles and water distribution systems to irrigate landscaped areas and decorative planters throughout the City, including the downtown area.
• Replants perennials and shrubs, if necessary, in bare areas and replace diseased/dying plants in landscaped areas. Installs and exchanges annual plantings for aesthetics in spring, summer, and autumn.
• Prunes, fertilizes, and maintains rose bushes.
• Performs leaf collection and removal from landscaped areas in autumn in conjunction with seasonal perennial dividing and cutbacks.

Bureau of Recycling

• Utilizes electronic mail to correspond with our broker about load readiness.
• Maintains a warehouse, including cleaning and organization of the additional facility.  
• Records the weight of materials and plans outgoing loads to market in compliance with U.S. DOT regulations. 
• Accurately loads and records shipments destined for foreign markets.
• Works with freight haulers to coordinate loading times and offloading times. 
• Schedules external customers to deliver recyclable materials to the recycling drop-off facility to not interfere with existing operations. 
• Answers the phone at the recycling drop-off and responds to customer inquiries.
• Engages external customers regarding proper recycling practices.  
• Provides detailed load information to the Bureau Chief. 
• Performs daily inspections of forklifts and baling equipment.
• Provides traffic control to a facility handling roughly 6,000 cars monthly.  

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is required.

Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit   

• Two (2) years of construction experience is required; utility construction experience is preferred.

 Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in groundskeeping, landscape development, native plant care, or similar maintenance work is preferred. 
• Possession of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 00 - Core and 23-Park/School Pest Control), or the ability to successfully obtain one within twelve (12) months of hire, is preferred. 

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License.

Environmental Conditions 

• Indoors, environmentally controlled. 
• Outdoor, exposed to inclement weather and extreme temperature.
• Exposure to noise, pollution, dust, vehicle exhaust, and caustic chemicals such as herbicides and fertilizers.
• Exposure to waste products.
• Exposure to a variety of plant life including noxious species, pollen, or other plant-based fine particulates. 
• Exposure to common insects and wildlife, including but not limited to bees, mantids, wasps/hornets, rodents, birds, and snakes.
• Works around motorized or moving vehicles, equipment, and machinery, including active traffic zones. 

• Personal Protective Equipment such as hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, rain gear, steel toed safety shoes, rain boots and respirators. 

• Knowledge of safe practices related to Public Works.
• Ability to operate a vehicle on private and public streets is required.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and maintain positive interactions is required. 
• Positive interpersonal skills are required.
• Proven ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English is required.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and collaborate successfully with others is required.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and demonstrate flexibility in improving work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and continuous improvement is required.

Bureau of Wastewater-Collections

• Ability to safely enter, exit, and work within manholes and/or confined spaces is required.
• Ability to climb up and down ladder wells and climb unprotected heights is required.

Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit 

• Knowledge of PA One Call (811) laws and regulations. 
• Knowledge of excavation and trench safety, including the safe use of shoring systems. 
• Experience in the semi-skilled use of common hand tools.

Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)

• Knowledge of plants native to the region and the ability to identify species, both native and invasive/non-native, for the purposes of cultivation or eradication, whichever may be appropriate. 
• Knowledge of grounds and turf management best practices, supplies, and equipment. 
• Proven ability to take accurate measurements and perform basic mathematical and geometric calculations (e.g. length/height, area, volume, etc.).

Comments

• Requires standing, bending, walking, sitting, and climbing in the performance of duties up to eight (8) or more hours per day.
• Requires working long hours and must be available to handle emergency situations after hours, weekends, and on holidays.
• Must be able to perform frequent overtime work, which may involve late-night or early morning hours. 
• Must have sufficient physical strength and ability to independently and repeatedly lift, move, and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Requires the use of hand tools.
• Requires the use of air tools, hydraulic tools, and/or electric tools such as jackhammers, pavement saws, and tampers.
• Requires performance of duties occasionally under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Knowledge, skills and/or abilities assessment tests may be conducted as part of the position screening process. 
• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.