Public Works Technician I

Town of Elon; Elon (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Elon invites applications for a Public Works Technician I to support maintenance of streets, parks, water and sewer infrastructure. This role involves hands-on labor, operation of basic equipment, and grounds care to keep our town safe and appealing.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED and a few years of maintenance experience; a NC driver’s license is required. Training provided; on-site work with occasional after-hours duties during storms or emergencies.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 3–4 years of related maintenance experience.
• Valid NC Driver’s License; CDL-B may be required.
• May require DENR Water Distribution and/or Sewage Collection certification depending on assignment.

Responsibilities

• Mow and maintain grounds with riding and push mowers; trim trees and shrubs; plant beds.
• Repair water and wastewater piping; perform building maintenance tasks.
• Operate maintenance equipment including trucks, jackhammers, and leaf blowers.
• Direct traffic; load supplies; support safety during projects.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Mowing

Equipment operation

Tree and shrub care

Traffic control

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Mower

Tractor

Dump truck

Jackhammer

Leaf blower

Job description

The Town of Elon is accepting applications for a Public Works Technician I. If you love working outdoors, taking pride in a job well done, and making a tangible impact, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to serve our community. In this role, you will perform a variety of hands‑on, essential tasks to maintain town grounds, infrastructure, and public facilities. We are seeking a dependable, hardworking individual ready to keep our streets, parks, and services safe and well‑maintained.

General Statement of Duties

Performs unskilled to semi‑skilled manual labor in the maintenance of streets, water and sewer lines, and similar work with other municipal structures. The position being filled will be cross trained in all public works duties but must have some grounds maintenance background, with the ability to do planting, trimming and mowing.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs routine labor and equipment operation work to provide safe and attractive structures, facilities, and grounds. Work includes specific landscaping and grounds maintenance, repair or replacement of water and sewer pipes, maintenance of streets and pavements, leaf collection, driving a truck, loading and unloading crew supplies, directing traffic, and other labor‑intensive tasks. Work is differentiated from the Public Works Technician II level by not requiring additional skills or experience in performing more complex work assignments. Work is performed under the direction of the Public Works Supervisor or may be performed independently without close supervision based on the assignment. Work is evaluated on the basis of achieving annual performance objectives, compliance with safety regulations, efficient operation of equipment, and overall appearance and performance of municipal structures.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Performs grounds maintenance work including mowing with riding and push mowers, trimming and pruning trees and shrubs, raking, applying mulch, cutting down trees, preparing plant beds, planting flowers and shrubs.
• Performs varied maintenance work including repair of water and wastewater piping systems and building trades maintenance including painting and janitorial work.
• Performs routine manual support work such as repairing or replacing light switches or receptacles, hanging doors, testing of mechanical or air conditioning equipment, installing or repairing plumbing fixtures, and related building trades.
• Checks operation of water and wastewater valves by manually turning valves on and off with valve key or wrench; reports valve replacements to immediate supervisor.
• Cuts pavement and digs holes for pipe repairs using shovels, dump trucks, jackhammers, and tamps; cuts pipes and attaches clamps; tests water or sewage flows for leaks; calculates amount of asphalt or concrete required to backfill areas to original surface and restores surface to original level.
• Drives dump truck to and from worksites and hauls debris or mud and gravel for backfill.
• Shovels snow from sidewalks and spreads ice melt.
• Performs other general maintenance duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of plant materials, maintenance and trimming of plants and plant beds.
• Knowledge of general maintenance work as it applies to water and sewer line maintenance.
• Knowledge of the materials used in general maintenance of streets, underground utilities, and buildings and other facilities.
• Skill in operating a mower, tractor, dump truck, leaf blower, weed eater, tamp, jackhammer, and other maintenance equipment.
• Ability to apply seed/straw, fertilize, mow, shovel, rake, and erect signage for work crews.
• Ability to receive and carry out instructions provided by a supervisor.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision or as part of a maintenance team.
• Ability to repair or replace worn or broken parts of equipment and facility structures.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work regular hours as well as ability to work in an on‑call capacity for work required after hours or in storms and other bad weather conditions or emergencies.
• Ability to see, hear, and speak in the performance of one or more tasks.

Physical Requirements

Work is characterized as heavy work requiring exertion of 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. This employee must have the visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned. Employee must have the manual dexterity to move hands and legs and perform repetitive physical work. Employee must have the physical strength to perform all work requirements at a proficient level.

Physical Requirements

Work is characterized as heavy work requiring exertion of 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. This employee must have the visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned. Employee must have the manual dexterity to move hands and legs and perform repetitive physical work. Employee must have the physical strength to perform all work requirements at a proficient level.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions with predominance to working out‑doors. Employee is subject to workplace hazards including mechanical equipment and atmospheric conditions due to exposure to fumes, odors, oils and grease, and dusts as well as chemicals, insecticides, and herbicides. Employee may work in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, man holes, small enclosures with sewage and water line pipes, and other areas which could cause claustrophobia. Employee may also be exposed to effluent and blood‑borne pathogens when working with sewage piping.

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Completion of high school or GED equivalency and three to four years of work experience in the installation and maintenance of water and sewer pipes, excavation and pavement of streets and drains, and trades maintenance of buildings and grounds.

Special Requirement

• Valid North Carolina (N.C.) Driver’s License; may require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-B).
• May be required to have N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Water Distribution and/or Sewage Collection certificate depending on the assignment.

Disclaimer

This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions section of this classification may vary from position to position. The Town reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.