Laborer

Salary

$20.38 - $22.47 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

5001-24

Department

City of Tacoma - CITY WIDE LIST

Opening Date

02/28/2024

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Position Description

MULTIPLE POSITIONS FOR SEASONAL LABORERS

POSITIONS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR 3 - 6 MONTHS.

The City of Tacoma is seeking highly motivated people devoted to public service to join our team in providing exceptional service to the citizens and rate payers of Tacoma. Laborers are generally hired on a temporary basis (normally employed for a period of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days or less) to perform heavy manual labor, and can work with different Departments at the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities. This is a great opportunity to join the City of Tacoma and acquire valuable work skills and gain relevant municipal experience. This is also a very good job for those seeking short-term employment.

This application period will be used to fill vacancies as they occur until May 31, 2024.

Examples of job responsibilities:

• Sweeps streets, gutters and alleys, loads dirt from streets into a truck; removes snow from sidewalks and stairs, and spreads sand or salt on icy streets

• Cut grass and remove weeds on parking strips; rain gardens, ponds and ditches; rakes and loads grass and brush; mows lawns and cleans grounds; cuts trees and brush along rights-of-way; plants, waters and assists in care of shrubs, flowers and grass

• Digs ditches, trenches, and post holes and loads dirt and construction materials

• Pours concrete and fills pavement cracks with asphalt and shovels asphalt paving mix in repairs of streets

• Uses a jackhammer to break asphalt or concrete; shovels broken material into a dump truck

• Builds, repairs, cleans and maintains solid waste containers

• Delivers and removes solid waste containers for customers

• Picks up debris on and around the grounds and the buildings at the Recovery and Transfer Center

• Uses a pressure washer

• Uses manual and power tools

• Performs traffic control for job sites

• Performs light to medium manual labor and related duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Outdoor and indoor environment; subject to noise and fumes from equipment operation and adverse weather conditions.

• Position requires heavy lifting, climbing, hoisting and pulling

• Some positions may require working weekend, holidays and flexible hours

Candidates must successfully complete a physical ability test as a condition to hire.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Some experience in performing heavy manual work; completion of the eighth grade; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Driver's License will be required at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Applicable occupational hazards and safety precautions

SKILLS:

• Ability to understand and follow specific oral instructions

• Ability to perform heavy manual labor for extended periods, often under adverse climate conditions

• Maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

• Operate motor vehicles

• Perform heavy manual labor

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

WHY WORK FOR THE CITY?

The City of Tacoma offers a generous program of employee benefits:

• Outstanding working conditions and an exceptional quality-of-life environment.

• Deferred compensation allowing tax-deferred savings as authorized under Section 457 of the IRS Code.

Per City of Tacoma Personnel Management Policy #170, the City of Tacoma is a drug-free work environment. Appointment is subject to passing a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen and physical ability test. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Teamsters Local Union #117.

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:

We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 5pm on the closing date of this posting.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Public Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

The Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination process; accordingly, it should be completed carefully. It must be submitted with your application. Do not indicate "see resume" or copy unrelated content from your resume when answering these questions. Answer all information requested in each question. Failure to do so may result in rejection of your application. I certify that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may cancel any terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Please check "Yes" to indicate that you have read and understand these instructions.

• Yes

• No

  02

  Have you completed the eighth grade?

• Yes

• No

  03

  Do you have some experience performing heavy manual labor?

• Yes

• No

  04

  Do you have a current valid driver's license, or the ability to obtain one by your date of hire if you are selected for a position?

• Yes

• No

  05

  This position REQUIRES a candidate to be physically able to do heavy lifting, climbing, hoisting and pulling. Candidates must be able to successfully complete a physical assessment test and medical examination in order to be eligible to be hired. The physical assessment test will include: 100 lb. squats, 50 lb. arm curl, 60 lb. bent-over rowing, grip strength, aerobic cycling assessment, shoveling, sweeping, sawing and tree trimming simulations. Are you able to do all these tasks with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes

• No

  06

  Are you aware that this application period is only good until May 31, 2024, and you will need to reapply in June to be considered again?

• Yes

• No

  07

  Check the boxes for as many of the different types of employment you are willing to work.

• Part-time temporary

• Full-time temporary

• 3 month assignment

• 6 month assignment

• 9 month assignment

• 12 month assignment

• None of the above

  08

  Check the boxes for as many of the different City Departments or Divisions where you have worked before.

• Public Works Department

• Sewer Division

• Solid Waste Division

• Environmental Services Department

• Tacoma Public Utilities

• None of the above

  09

  Check the boxes for all of the below listed job skills that you have work experience.

• Sweeping streets, gutters, alleys

• Loading dirt from streets into a truck

• Removing snow from sidewalks and stairs by hand.

• Spreading sand or salt on icy streets.

• Cut grass and weeds on parking strips.

• Rake and load grass and brush.

• Mow lawns and clean grounds.

• Plant, water and assist in care of shrubs, flowers and grass.

• Dig ditches, trenches and post holes.

• Load dirt and construction materials.

• Pour concrete and fill pavement cracks with asphalt.

• Shovel asphalt paving mix in repair of streets.

• Use jackhammer to break asphalt or concrete.

• Shovel broken street material into a dump truck.

• Build, repair, clean and maintain solid waste containers.

• Deliver and remove solid waste containers for customers.

• Pick up debris on and around the grounds and buildings at the Recovery and Transfer Center.

• Cuts trees and brush along transmission lines.

• Spread stone chips on streets.

• Assist in repairing leaks in water mains.

• Digging and backfilling ditches.

• Assist in caulking joints, making gaskets and cutting iron pipe.

• Remove graffiti from solid waste containers and paint if necessary.

• Deliver and remove solid waste containers.

• Clean up hydraulic oil and automotive fluids from damaged vehicles and/or equipment.

• Perform solid waste container audits.

• Pick up debris on or around grounds and landscaping.

• Clean reservoirs.

• Use power tools.

• Use manual tools.

• Use a presser washer.

  10

  Please list any certifications you may have, such as: forklift operator, traffic control (flagger), etc. If you do not have any, please respond with N/A.

  11

  Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification

• Internet search

• Professional organization

• Community organization

• Military organization

• Union job posting

• City of Tacoma employee

• Online job board posting

• Word of mouth

• Other

  12

  Were you referred from any of the following organizations? Check all that apply.

• Metropolitan Development Council (MDC)

• WorkForce Central

• Tacoma Urban League

• Youth Building Tacoma

• Tacoma Goodwill Industries

• Central Latino

• Tacoma Community House

• Washington Youth Academy

• Ministerial Alliance

• The Black Collective

• Associated General Contractors

• Bates Technical College

• Clover Park Technical College

• Pierce College

• Tacoma Public Schools

• N/A

  13

  Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

  Required Question

Agency

City of Tacoma

Address

Human Resources Department 747 Market Street Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone

253-591-5400

Website

http://www.cityoftacoma.org

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