DPW Laborer /Beginning Skilled/Semi-Skilled

TITLE:                     Laborer /Beginning Skilled/Semi-Skilled

DEPARTMENT:      Public Services

STATUS:                   Full Time, Non-Exempt (with occasional required overtime)

UNION:                     Technical  Professional Office Workers Association of Michigan

SALARY:                  $21.86 - $27.22 DOQ, Full Benefits Package

GENERAL PURPOSE: As a crucial member of our team, you will perform a variety of semi-skilled maintenance tasks and operate various equipment in the construction, operation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of City water, sewer, street, and storm drainage facilities and systems.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: You will work under the close supervision of the DPW Operations Manager, DPS Deputy Director, and the DPS Director in a supportive and collaborative environment.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspect and repair meters, streets, drainage systems, and sewer systems at regular intervals to ensure all aspects of the systems are functioning properly.
  
  


• Perform required labor involved in construction and maintenance projects, including pavement cutting, ditch digging, manhole and line cleaning, main and pipe repair, laying, and backfilling.
  
  


• Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, cleans, and flushes water mains, pipes, gates, and fittings during the repair of mains and services, as well as the installation of services, fire hydrants, and drinking fountains; assists in shutting off broken sections of water mains.
  
  


• Maintains a variety of records related to inspections, maintenance activities, water supply, and consumption, among others.
  
  


• Determines the locations of gas, telephone, power, television, water, and sewer lines from the respective sources prior to excavation.
  
  


•  Respond to complaints regarding water leaks, pressure loss, or no water, evaluate the situation, and report the findings to the supervisor.
  
  


• Contact residents and business owners in areas where services will be discontinued, explaining when the services will be shut off and when they will be restored.
  
  


• Clear streets and sidewalks of snow and ice.
  
  


• Maintains and repairs streets and sidewalks.
  
  


• Mows and maintains park and open space areas, mows lawns, and weeds. Cleans and maintains courts and appurtenances, as well as sprinkler systems. Assists in the repair and installation of sprinkler lines and heads.
  
  


•  Inspect, wash, and perform routine maintenance of drinking fountains and restrooms.
  
  


•  Assists in the maintenance of open space structures, such as restrooms, shelters, and maintenance sheds, by performing custodial, maintenance, painting, plumbing, carpentry, and other unskilled and semi-skilled trades work.
  
  


• Assists in setting up and taking down equipment for various functions and programs and prepares facilities for program use.
  
  


• Ensures the proper maintenance of equipment and tools by cleaning and inspecting them after use.
  
  


• Drives trucks of various sizes and weights to load, haul, and unload equipment, gravel, and sand.
  
  


• Performs routine inspections and preventive maintenance on assigned equipment, referring defects or needed repairs to the supervisor, and cleans the equipment as necessary.
  
  


• Operates light, medium-sized, and heavy construction and power equipment, including mechanized brooms, Jetter/inductor trucks, backhoes/loaders, vacuums, and snowplows.
  
  


• Perform all duties in accordance with applicable safety and security standards.
  
  


• Services water supply, sewer lift, and other pumps.
  
  


• Operates a variety of power construction and maintenance equipment used in the water, sewer, and street department.
  
  


• Assists in the operation of City Cemeteries, which may include burials, general maintenance, and ground care.
  
  


•  Assists the DDA with the maintenance of downtown plantings, flowers, and other beautification efforts, including seasonal decorations.
  
  


• All other duties as assigned.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES: Serves on various employee or other committees as assigned.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

            (A) Graduation from high school or GED equivalent, and

            (B) Two (2) years of experience relating to construction, maintenance, or repair, or

            (C) Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

            (A) Some knowledge of equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in maintenance, construction, and repair activities.
            (B) Skill in operation of some of the listed tools and equipment.

            (C) Ability to perform heavy manual tasks for extended periods of time.

            (D) Ability to work safely.

            (E) Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

            (F) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, and the public.

            (G) Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: A valid state driver's license and CDL certification or the ability to obtain one.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:  Motorized vehicles and equipment, including vactor, snowplow, dump truck, pickup truck, utility truck, street sweeper, jetter/inductor truck, street roller, forklift, tamper, plate compactor, saws, pumps, compressors, sanders, generators, common hand and power tools, jackhammer, chipper, shovels, wrenches, detection devices, mobile radio, phone, ditch witch.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside-weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is often exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, as well as vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of electrical shock.

            The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: A formal application, rating of education and experience, an oral interview, and a reference check, as well as a physical exam that includes a drug screening, will be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement or contract between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the employer's needs and job requirements evolve.