Highway Department Laborer

GREEN LAKE COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                       HIGHWAY LABORER

DEPARTMENT:       HIGHWAY

LOCATION:              GREEN LAKE AND/OR MANCHESTER HIGHWAY BUILDING

SUPERVISOR:        HIGHWAY COMMISSIONER AND/OR PATROL SUPERINTENDENT

SUMMARY: 

Under general direction, maintain State and County Trunk Highways, ditches and right of way so as to aid in the safe flow of traffic throughout Green Lake County; to perform reconstruction work as needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The percent of time spent on various jobs in the General Laborer classification can vary from job to job and season to season and within the season based on many variables that need to be taken into consideration.  Given these elements of change, approximately:

• Snow and ice removal work, including putting up and taking down snow fence 20% of the time.
• Mowing, tree and brush control 15% of the time.
• Blacktop and shoulder work, including filling potholes 18% of the time.
• Flags and directs traffic when work is being conducted on roads 8% of the time.
• Rubber crack sealing 10% of the time.
• Patrol State and County Trunk Highways, clears debris and picks up litter 7% of the time.
• Drainage maintenance, including setting or assisting of setting culverts; cleaning culverts; may haul gravel or fill 10% of the time.
• Performs repairs on bridges, assists with annual inspections and other bridge work, as necessary 2% of the time.
• Operate heavy equipment 5% of the time.
• Assists in the upkeep, maintenance and repair of buildings, grounds and equipment. 5% of the time.
• Performs other work as assigned by the Commissioner or Superintendent 5% of the time.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• General knowledge of methods, materials and equipment used in road construction and maintenance projects.
• Ability to use a transit or GPS; determine grade and proper slope for ditches and shoulders on existing roads.
• Knowledge, ability and skill in the use of measuring devices, assorted small tools that could be hand or power, motorized vehicles, earth moving equipment, landscaping equipment, compact track loaders and attachments, material handling equipment, tractors, mowers, front end loaders, snow removal equipment, grader, dozer, rollers, backhoe, brush chipper, tar kettles, mechanical brooms and other similar equipment. Assorted personal protective equipment as required.
• Ability and skill to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing or with hand and arm signals.
• Ability to adapt to changing conditions.
• Ability to work flexible, 40 hour/week schedule to accommodate snow removal on weekends and emergency call-ins, as necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Must possess a positive attitude and strong work ethic.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:  High School diploma or GED equivalency.

EXPERIENCE / JOB KNOWLEDGE:  1-2 years’ experience working in road construction and maintenance, heavy equipment operation course, or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess and maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) with A, B, C, D, and preferably N endorsement or be able to obtain within 6 months of hire.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Given the variable and seasonal functions of this position, physical demands vary greatly from work assignments and seasonal demands. Approximately 75-90% of the time, depending on the actual work assignment, the employee will be performing work which could involve acute vision demands, walking, bending and twisting, feeling, standing, reaching, sitting, climbing hills or stairs, stooping, kneeling, verbally communicating, grappling, crouching, balancing, crawling and climbing ladders and getting on and off equipment are all required at various times and for various assignments. Good physical dexterity of arms and hands, legs and feet is necessary for accurate and safe operation of heavy equipment.  Communications while working may be verbal.  Good peripheral vision is necessary to assist the operator with maintenance and construction work as well as safety in work operations especially when working in traffic.  Vision and hearing are important to this job as are hand and eye coordination.  Approximately 10-25% of a shift may be spent lifting and carrying up to 80 pounds, as required.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:   Up to 95% of work can be performed outdoors, exposed to seasonal weather elements, which could mean extreme hot, cold or humid conditions; 65% of work has exposure to noise or work involving vibration; 5% of work may be performed indoors.  Hazards of this position include dangers from mechanical equipment, fast moving vehicles, heights, burns, fumes, mists or gasses, noxious odors, exposure to weather, dust, heat, equipment noise and fumes, electrical, and chemicals.  May be required to work long or unusual hours as necessary to meet departmental needs.

This is a public service position, and employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times with the public and clients; also establishes and maintains a courteous and cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, working conditions and needed skills.  It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities and/or essential functions.  This description is not intended to limit or modify the rights of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The county retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from, any section of this document as it deems, in its' judgment, to be proper.

January 13, 2023