The City of Hallowell (pop. 2,570) is accepting applications to fill a Department of Public Works vacancy. The ideal employee will be an enthusiastic and safety conscious professional, responsible for assisting the Department in a wide variety of municipal tasks on road, sidewalk, public building and public lands projects (see attached job description). This person works under the supervision of the Public Works Supervisor.
This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week with frequent overtime. Base wage is $20.72 per hour for Class 2 employees and $18.84 per hour for Class 3 employees. We pay our employees weekly and also offer health insurance or payment in lieu of health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; sick and vacation time; training and clothing allowances; paid holidays; and Maine PERS retirement. The union contract for this position may be re-negotiated soon so these wages might increase before 2025.
Applicants may submit an employment application which is available at Hallowell City Hall or from the Hallowell City Treasurer’s office via phone (207) 623-4021 or email to: [email protected]. Alternatively, applicants may submit a cover letter, resume, and three references. Application materials are encouraged to be submitted to the City Manager by noon on Friday, October 4, 2024 but the position will remain open until filled. Applications must be sent to City Manager Gary Lamb, 1 Winthrop Street, Hallowell, ME 04347, and preferably via email to: [email protected].
JOB DESCRIPTION
Class Title: Grounds and Maintenance Worker – Public Works Class 2 or 3
Department: Public Works
Location: City of Hallowell
Date Created: September 30, 2016 (and updated Nov. 28, 2022, Sept 16, 2024)
NATURE OF WORK
This employee is responsible for assisting the Hallowell Public Works department in grounds keeping, equipment / infrastructure maintenance, and road maintenance duties around greater Hallowell.
This is a full-time union position with a 40 hour work week and the potential for extensive overtime in peak seasons. The employee may often encounter long work days during winter plowing and snow removal operations.
Starting wages per union contract are $20.72 per hour for Class 2 employee or $18.84 per hour for Class 3 employee, depending on your abilities and experience. Please see the duties and responsibilities below for a job description at each employee class. The position includes an attractive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick time, health insurance and City contribution to Maine PERS retirement system. 9This position may soon have a wage increase as contract negotiations could begin during fall of 2024.)
After a six-month provisional hiring period, this position falls under the terms of the Granite City Employees Union.
The City of Hallowell provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, disability or genetics, and welcomes diversity in its workforce.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This person works under the general supervision of the Public Works Supervisor in accordance with the applicable laws and ordinances. Work is reviewed through reports, discussions and results achieved, along with performance reviews and goal setting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grounds Keeping, Equipment / Infrastructure Maintenance, and Roads Maintenance
This employee will perform general transportation infrastructure maintenance work involving construction, repair and maintenance of vehicles, equipment, buildings, grounds, roadways and/or other applicable infrastructure including but not limited to:
- Ability to safely and skillfully operate commercial vehicles including plow trucks, heavy-duty trucks, vehicles with trailers, and other specialized equipment.
- Ability to perform physical tasks, to climb and work at various heights over both water and land, and work in awkward positions in accordance with state and OSHA standards.
- Ability to work under adverse weather conditions
- Knowledge of, or ability to learn preventative maintenance on electrical, gasoline-powered and hydraulic tools and equipment.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle for extended periods of time in all types of weather.
- Ability to work with steel, concrete and timber used in construction.
- Ability to perform basic computer skills including email and do basic math computations.
- Ability to communicate and follow instructions including safety and environmental rules and regulations.
- Additional responsibilities as directed by the City Manager, Road Commissioner, and / or Emergency Operations Manager.
The candidate must be able to be reached by land line/cell phone during off-duty hours in case of emergency or unscheduled work. Although most work is generally performed under direct supervision, independent decision making and interpretation of standard procedures may be necessary throughout the workday.
To qualify for Class 2, the candidate must have completed a Road Construction Training class or have related public works field experience approved by the Public Works Supervisor and the City Manager, must possess a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL), and must have a good driving record.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Additional education, training, and / or certification is preferred.
- Must have strong written and oral communication skills.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess a Class B / commercial driver’s license (CDL) for Employee Class 2 or obtain one within six months after hiring for Employee Class 3. Strong preference will be given to candidates who possess a Class B license at the time of hire.
- Strong preference will be given to candidates who have taken a road construction training class, or have comparable training or demonstrable work experience. This training / experience is required for hiring at the Employee Class 2 level.
- Must possess and maintain a valid State issued motor vehicle operator’s license, have dependable transportation, and be insurable under the City of Hallowell’s vehicle insurance policy.
- Must have flexible problem solving abilities and work well independently, in teams, and with the public.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Plow Truck; Mini-Excavator; small and large Front End Loaders; Automobile; Phone; Hand Tools, Power Tools, Power Equipment, Computer, Cellular and Standard Phones
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work is performed mostly in field settings. Considerable outdoor work is required in grounds and road maintenance. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 80 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee should expect to deal frequently with visibly and audibly energized residents and/or business-owners.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application is by cover letter and resume. There will be a rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference checks. Job related equipment tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.