LABORER

Henry County Government; McDonough (GA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Henry County Government seeks a dedicated manual laborer for the Public Works crew responsible for constructing, maintaining, and repairing county streets, drainage systems, and related infrastructure. The role includes digging, paving, mowing, and handling typical tools and equipment used on site.

Applicants should have a high school diploma and be able to operate basic equipment, follow safety procedures, and communicate effectively with residents and colleagues.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred; related experience in equipment operation or construction maintenance is a plus.
• Ability to operate basic tools and machinery used in road and drainage projects.
• Strong communication and courteous interaction with the public and staff.

Responsibilities

• Perform manual labor for construction, maintenance, and upkeep of streets, roads, rights‑of‑way, drainage systems, and related infrastructure.
• Assist with setup of events, traffic control during activities, and cleanup after events.
• Adhere to safety procedures, wear protective gear, monitor work environment, and report issues to supervisor.

Skills

Manual labor

Effective communication

Flexibility

Equipment operation

Education

High School diploma

Tools

MS Office

Power tools

Job description

The purpose of this position is to perform unskilled and semi-skilled manual work associated with the construction, maintenance, and upkeep of County streets and roads, rights-of-way, stormwater and drainage systems, and other infrastructure as part of a public works crew.

• Performs manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and upkeep projects; lifts, moves, loads, and unloads materials, equipment, tools, furniture, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieves supplies, materials, tools, equipment, and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects and transports materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; and removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other County property.
• Performs various manual tasks in support of street, roadway, and drainage projects; installs and removes sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and culverts; clears and repairs ditches; clears drainage obstructions from culverts, ditches, and gutters; lays and smooths asphalt; repairs asphalt and concrete; patches and repairs potholes in road surfaces; compacts road surfaces and packs ground materials; and installs reflective markers in streets.
• Performs various tasks involving roadside maintenance projects; mows grass; edges roadways, landscaped areas, driveways, and sidewalks; plants and maintains trees, shrubs, and flowers; waters landscaped areas; cuts down trees; prunes tree limbs, hedges, and shrubs; picks up and disposes of litter, tree limbs, brush, and other materials from rights‑of‑way; mulches leaves; spreads pine straw, mulch, sand, gravel, or other grounds materials; lays sod or spreads grass seed; applies salt and sand during icy weather; rakes ground materials; and blows leaves and debris from roads and rights‑of‑way.
• Assists in setting up special events and activities; installs, erects, or hangs holiday decorations, tents, tables, chairs and other items for events; assists with traffic control during events; and assists with cleanup after events.
• Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks and equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs, and cones around project and work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.
• Operates a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with department projects, which may include a service truck, pump, probing rod, tamper, jack hammer, lawn mower, riding mower, edger, weed eater, chipper and mulcher, leaf blower, sod cutter, spreader, tiller, chain saw, power saw, hand saw, concrete saw, air compressor, pickaxe, sledgehammer, rake, posthole digger, shovel, hand tools, measuring instruments, or two-way radio.
• Performs general cleaning and maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking and replacing fluids, refueling vehicles, performing minor equipment repairs, greasing equipment, sharpening blades, replacing parts, washing and cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop or work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment to supervisor.
• Communicates with supervisor, other County employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Requires a High School diploma or equivalent and related experience involving equipment operation or construction and maintenance work preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications

Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Special Requirements

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of local government operations, maintenance and construction related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job.
• Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to get along with others, and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evening meetings.
• Ability to multi‑task and work within deadlines.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to work with and process payments for accounts within the budget and department.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting purposes.
• Ability to operate a copying machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is heavy work which requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and may require standing for extended periods of time. Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, or rude/irate customers.

Henry County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described in this job description. Henry County encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Henry County will comply with all applicable federal regulations and Henry County's insurance requirements governing workplace anti-drug and alcohol programs. Henry County employees shall be subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.