Location: Syracuse, NY Category: Temporary/Hourly Job Type: Other Posted On: Wed Oct 1 2025 Job Description:
The work involves a variety of routine manual tasks requiring little planning or special knowledge and sustained medium to heavy physical effort involving frequent exposure to all kinds of weather conditions. A Laborer I usually works as a member of a crew using hand tools and power tools such as chain saws, pneumatic tools, and may operate power driven equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and small tractors. Laborers I may assist with: the repair of basic plumbing (PVC and copper), greasing of pumps and performance of basic preventative maintenance on wastewater treatment equipment. This work is distinguished from other classes performing routine manual tacks as a member of a crew by either the work setting or the degree of specialization. Examples would be groundkeepers, maintenance helpers or stock attendants. A Laborer has no supervisory responsibilities. Positions in this class are supervised by a higher level laborer or maintenance position, usually a foreman, crew-leader, or other higher level worker, who assigns tasks giving detailed instructions. The work of the Laborer is subject to close supervision in progress and upon completion, although routine repetitive duties once learned may be performed more independently. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Laborers perform a wide variety of routine manual activities under supervision including, but not limited to the following: Removes trash, animal carcasses, and rock fall from roadways and rights of way; cleans drainage ditches of ice and other obstructions; does manual work in resurfacing roadways including breaking up surfaces with hand or power tools and mixing and spreading a variety of paving material; controls traffic on highway maintenance and construction projects; shovels sand and salt on icy pavements and cleans snow and ice from roadways; operates snow plow wings; installs, repairs and paints guardrails; sets up and takes down snow fencing; cuts grass, brush and trees using hand tools and powered equipment. Works on the installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signal systems and overhead street lighting by digging holes, attaching cables, cleaning and painting poles and signal heads, pouring concrete, cleaning and polishing lenses and reflectors, replacing broken glass and burned out bulbs, and digging trenches, inserting electric cables, and refilling the trench. Performs manual work in the repair and maintenance of bridge structures including the removal of deteriorated concrete, wood and steel with hand or power tools, mixing concrete and painting; uses sand blast and gunite equipment. May assist equipment repair mechanics in such activities as the mounting and dismounting of major assemblies such as snow plows and salt spreaders and in the installation or removal of heavy items such as engines, transmissions and differentials. Performs a variety of woods, field and stream related work including cutting trees and brush, clearing trails, building and maintaining of park roads, dams, marsh ponds, dikes, and flood structures by clearing brush and trees, digging trenches, filling holes, and performing like manual tasks; does rough carpentry and painting; maintains grounds including mowing grass, cleaning catch basins, shoveling snow, removing refuse, and excavating for repair of water, stream, and drainage lines. Loads and unloads trucks of such items as crates, machinery, furniture, equipment, heavy stores, etc. by physically lifting the items or by operating a hand truck, forklift or similar equipment; moves items to and from storerooms; may accompany a truck driver or motor vehicle operator in the pick up and delivery of items and as such may in the event of need be required to drive the vehicle. May assist on survey parties and in construction work by holding a leveling rod and chain.
May assist skilled laborers in the installation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment plant mechanical equipment, process piping, and related appurtenances by using a variety of tools and equipment in the performance of unskilled tasks.
In addition to the use of simple hand tools, chain saws, power mowers and like equipment, a Laborer may operate such equipment as portable electric generators, compressors, salt and sand spreaders, bituminous heaters, pumps and other non self-propelled machines. They may occasionally operate self-propelled equipment such as trucks, riding mowers and other light equipment occasionally and for short periods of time.
Job Requirements:
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to perform heavy manual labor. Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools and motorized equipment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS None.
SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.
Additional Information:
Pay rate: $17.00
