Description
Job Title: Laborer
Department: Department of Public Works
Union Affiliation: Independence Workforce Association-IWA
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Description Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Public Works, the Laborer performs a variety of duties involving the upkeep of buildings, grounds, maintenance of equipment, and the operation of light equipment. This position will also provide assistance with the construction, maintenance, repair and/or replacement of the municipal water distribution system, wastewater system, sanitary sewer system, water treatment facilities, cemeteries and safety paths.
Essential Function(s) of the Position:
The duties listed below 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 level and/or class of this position.
Assist in water system and sewer system construction, repair and maintenance.
Perform general preventative maintenance on DPW equipment as needed.
Conduct inspections on meters and connections, read meters and check for damages or defects to eliminate high consumption.
Maintains inventory of construction supplies and other repair materials. Notifies the DPW Superintendent of any needed purchases.
Respond/report complaints from Township citizens to DPW Superintendent.
Repairs lawns and landscapes to prior state after making water/ sewer repairs.
Ensure site safety protocols are followed.
Assists in maintaining fire hydrants, repairing certain parts of the fire hydrant that can weigh up to approximately 200 lbs., and performing winterizing procedures.
Assists in the operation and maintenance of sewage treatment pump stations, including repairing pumps, motors, and other various equipment.
Assists higher graded personnel with inspecting, cleaning, maintaining, constructing and repairing of water treatment systems, water wells and related systems utilizing a variety of equipment.
Performs basic buildings and grounds maintenance, which includes painting, cleaning and landscape maintenance. This type of work includes cutting lawn and brush areas, raking leaves, shoveling gravel and dirt, mixing and pouring cement, snow and ice removal, etc.
Assists other Department personnel with Cemetery setups and burials
Assets other Department personnel with Safety Path maintenance and repair
Performs other duties as assigned
Mandatory participation in the departments on call stand by program is required
Education/Experience/ Licensing/Certifications:
High school diploma or equivalent experience in a construction or maintenance field.
Experience operating and maintaining outdoor equipment, such as mowers, tractors, etc.
Excellent organizational and communication skills
Ability to work as a team player.
Prefer basic knowledge of construction trades (Carpentry, electric, plumbing, etc).
Must possess a valid Michigan’s Driver’s License at the time of employment and be able to meet the Township’s driving standards and ability to obtain a Michigan “B” CDL with proper endorsements within 1 year of appointment.
Must obtain a S-4 or D-4 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality License within 18 months of appointment, FAILURE TO OBTAIN STATE LICENSING REQUIRMENTS WITHIN SPECIFIED TIME FRAME WILL RESULT IN TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Judgment and decision making.
Seeking guidance and direction as necessary for performance of duties.
Demonstrating good judgment in investigation problems.
Respecting the confidentiality of company, customer, and personnel information.
Maintaining cooperative working relationships with supervisors and other staff.
Demonstrating ability to tactfully handle difficult situations.
Planning and time utilization.
Making the best use of time during shift.
Consistently showing ability to recognize and deal with priorities.
Initiative.
Performing all duties in an independent manner with little supervision.
Recognizing and performing duties that need to be performed although not directly assigned, and assisting others as needed.
Attendance and reliability.
Maintaining the work area in a neat and orderly manner.
Assuming responsibility for staying aware of changes in company policies and procedures.
Ensure licenses and certifications are kept current and valid
Maintaining a well-groomed, professional, appearance that is appropriate for the position and situation.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools and Vehicles Used:
Backhoe, tapping machine, boring machine, specialty hand tools, shoring box, hydraulic shoring, air compressor, traffic signage, 7-yard dump truck with 16 ton 23” equipment trailer, pickup trucks, and utility trailer for shoring box.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that the employee must be able to successfully accomplish to be able to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
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; reach with hands and arms, stand, talk, hear, walk, climb, bend, squat, and lift or move up to seventy (70) pounds. Heavier items lifted with assistance. The ability to climb water towers when required with no fear of heights.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, employees are required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents, analyze and solve problems, observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information; and interact with members of the public and Township staff.
Working Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Employees are exposed to moderate and sometimes extremely, disagreeable working conditions during the course of daily work assignments, i.e. dust, dirt, heat, and cold due to outside weather conditions. Employees may be required to work extended shifts.
Reporting Relationships:
This position reports to the Water and Sewer Superintendent.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None.
