Equipment Operator / General Laborer (Public Works)

JOB SUMMARY  

The General Laborer is an entry level position that provides manual labor support to team members of the Public Works Department.  The General Laborer's work schedule is 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, but is required to report for inclement weather and other emergencies on occasion that could be outside of the normal work schedule.

 ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

•  
• General Labor
• Drive a mowing follower truck
• Weedeating, shoveling
• Utilizing a chainsaw when trimming or removal of trees and brush
• Traffic Control Flagging
• Put out safety signs on the roadway
• Installing road safety reflectors 
• Cleaning brush out of the road right a way
• Cleaning out drainage pipes and ditches along public rights of way
• Clearing the public roadways
• Snow removal 
• General equipment maintenance
• All other duties as assigned.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

COMPETENCIES    

• Able to manage time effectively
• General knowledge of chainsaws, weedeaters, shovels, and other small hand tools and equipment
• Customer service skills 
• Able to follow direction 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES  

• High School diploma or GED
• Prefer one-year experience in construction or general maintenance
• Valid driver’s license
• Class A and Class B CDL's preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES  

• Able to operate a chainsaw, weedeater, shovel
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the general public
• Able to maintain good teamwork and collaboration
• Able to follow safety guidelines, and instructions 
• Knowledge of basic hand tools and construction equipment
• Able to complete basic roadside clean up, brush and tree clean up and other small jobs without supervision
• Able to hold a traffic safety sign for extended periods of time

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of a General Laborer for the  Public Works Department. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential function of this position. These physical demands include, but are not limited to:

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to be able to lift at least 45 pounds. He/She must be able to stand, walk, sit, and squat for extended periods of time. He/She must be able to bend and reach over his/ her head. Other physical demands include but are not limited to.  

• Extensive Walking in diverse terrain/climbing stairs  
• Climbing and balancing on equipment, step stools, and ladders  
• Standing for extended amounts of time or squatting     
• Able to lift a minimum of 45 lbs
• Lifting and carrying equipment
• Bending, twisting, pushing, and pulling while working on equipment
• Maintain work during extreme weather such as heat or severe cold, rain, sleet, and snow
• Able to complete repetitive motions with arms and legs 
• Holding objects up including flags and traffic safety signs during jobs  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing required duties of a general laborer the employee can be exposed to moderate to high noise levels.  Duties will be performed 95% outside in all parts of Walker County.  Environmental factors include extreme weather conditions including heat, rain, extreme cold, sleet, and snow at times.  There are also times that a General Laborer could be exposed to respiratory hazards including fumes from gases, chemicals, dust, and dirt.  There is exposure to dangerous machinery as well as moving vehicles while work is being performed. PPE should be worn as needed.  

STANDARDS FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE  

• Successful development and implementation of objectives; continuous growth in service provided
• Appropriate and positive interaction with staff, management, volunteers, community groups and professional  associates and private citizens  
• Accomplishment of job functions in an effective and timely manner
• Effectiveness in establishing priorities, working on multiple assignments and concurrent projects, appropriately completing assigned tasks
• Exercise of sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines
• Demonstrated ability to thoroughly analyze problems; to meet demanding and changing deadlines in spite of  interruptions
• Compliance with established policies and procedures
• Ability to work alone or with a team