Public Works Laborer

ED Business Solutions; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Chatham County in Savannah, Georgia is seeking a Public Works Laborer to provide unskilled manual labor across Solid Waste, Storm Water, and Parks and Recreation.

This position performs routine physical work under close supervision, assisting county crews with waste collection, roadside and drainage maintenance, and upkeep of parks and recreational facilities, with extended hours, weekends, and possible overtime.

Qualifications

• Physically able to perform unskilled manual labor.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Reliable attendance and availability for full workdays.
• Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays as required (Solid Waste and Storm Water).

Responsibilities

• Assist with curbside collection of leaves, limbs, grass clippings, and bulky household items.
• Load citizen-filled containers, bags, and materials into rear-loading compactor trucks.
• Assist with off-loading collected materials at disposal or recycling facilities.
• Ride on collection vehicles in accordance with safety standards.
• Work as part of a crew with County drivers and contract laborers.

Job description

Savannah, United States | Posted on 12/18/2025

• Industry Employment - Recruiting - Staffing
• Work Experience 1-3 years
• State/Province Georgia
• Country United States

Job Description

Job Summary

The Public Works Laborer provides unskilled manual labor support across multiple County departments, including Solid Waste, Storm Water, and Parks and Recreation. This position performs routine physical work under close supervision, assisting County crews with waste collection, roadside and drainage maintenance, and upkeep of parks and recreational facilities. Work assignments vary by department and may include extended hours, weekends, or holidays depending on operational needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist with curbside collection of leaves, limbs, grass clippings, and bulky household items (excluding putrescible household garbage).

Load citizen-filled containers, bags, and materials into rear-loading compactor trucks.

Assist with off-loading collected materials at disposal or recycling facilities.

Ride on collection vehicles in accordance with safety standards (speed under 10 mph and short distances between stops).

Work as part of a crew consisting of County drivers and assigned contract laborers.

Utilize hand tools such as rakes, shovels, pitchforks, and push brooms.

Perform physically demanding work, including lifting items up to 50 pounds.

Serve full route days, which may extend beyond normal hours.

Work Schedule (Solid Waste):

Normal hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Overtime is required; 10–12 hour days are routine

Some Saturdays and County holidays required

Routes may extend as late as 7:00 p.m.

Storm Water Division

Perform roadside and drainage maintenance within County rights-of-way.

Assist with cleaning drainage structures, ditches, and culverts.

Trim vegetation, remove litter, cut grass, and load/unload ditch spoils.

Support construction and maintenance crews with routine storm water tasks.

Work under the close supervision of a maintenance supervisor or crew leader.

Work Schedule (Storm Water):

Normal hours: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Overtime as required

Parks and Recreation Division

Perform grounds maintenance at parks, sports fields, and recreational facilities.

Assist with litter removal, landscaping, mowing, and general facility upkeep.

Support maintenance and construction crews with routine repairs and cleaning.

Load and unload trucks and materials.

Use tools and equipment such as line trimmers, push mowers, rakes, shovels, loppers, and string trimmers.

Work Schedule (Parks & Recreation):

8-hour shifts between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Sunday, including special events

No overnight or overtime work

Additional Duties (All Assignments)

Perform ground guide activities to assist drivers and equipment operators when visibility is limited.

Act as a safety spotter to help prevent backing accidents and equipment-related incidents.

Follow all County safety policies and procedures.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform sustained physical labor in outdoor conditions.

Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly.

Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and work in varying weather conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

Physically able to perform unskilled manual labor.

Ability to follow instructions and work under close supervision.

Willingness to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays as required (Solid Waste and Storm Water).

Ability to safely use basic hand tools and equipment.

Reliable attendance and availability for full workdays.

Drug-Free Workplace & Background Requirements

Chatham County is a drug-free workplace.

All contract laborers must pass:

Background check

Random drug testing is required at least once annually for long-term assignments (6+ consecutive months).

Any worker suspected of impairment or posing a safety risk will be removed from assignment until verified substance-free.

Compliance with all County safety and workforce policies is mandatory.

Outdoor work in residential areas, roadways, drainage systems, and recreational facilities.

Exposure to weather, traffic, noise, and heavy equipment.

Team-based environment under County supervision.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage all qualified individuals to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.