NYS Department of Civil Service Title Specification
Laborer, S06

This title is in the Labor Class and in the Operational Services Negotiating Unit.

New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard

NATURE OF WORK

Laborers, as members of a work crew, perform routine manual tasks on a wide variety of construction or maintenance projects.

Most of these positions are located in the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of General Services, Thruway Authority, and State University System.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Laborers are characterized by performing routine manual labor, requiring heavy physical exertion and exposure to inclement weather. Typically, positions work as members of a crew under the direct supervision of a higher level laborer or maintenance position, although Laborers may perform routine repetitive duties independently once those duties are learned. In performing their duties, Laborers use hand and power tools, such as chain saws, pneumatic picks, jackhammers, shovels, and power mowers, and, occasionally, operate power driven equipment, such as pumps and compressors.

In addition, some positions may be regularly assigned to warehouses or agencies where there is a frequent need to move heavy supplies, equipment, and furniture.

There are a number of other classes responsible for performing routine manual tasks as members of a work crew, however, they are distinguished from Laborers by the work setting and degree of specialization. For example, Marine Helpers serve on vessels by assisting in maintaining marine equipment and engines, performing waterways maintenance, and cleaning and maintaining the vessel. Grounds Workers perform a variety of tasks to plant and care for trees, shrubs, and flowers and mow and seed lawns. Maintenance Helpers assist artisans in maintenance and construction work by performing unskilled tasks while learning the practical techniques of a trade.

TYPICAL ACTIVITES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Laborers perform a wide variety of routine manual activities. The activities and tasks described below are illustrative maintenance repair, in assigned area, for which a higher level repair capability is needed.

Supervises lower level custodial personnel in cleaning and care of assigned area.

• Assigns specific tasks and gives verbal instructions to custodial personnel.
• Provides assistance in resolving work problems and reviews work while in progress and upon completion.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

While the majority of the tasks performed by a Janitor are thing-oriented, there are some which are people-oriented. There is frequent verbal and occasional simple written communication with various building users concerning custodial projects, such as setting up temporary seating facilities and equipment for conferences or demonstration projects or performing handyman-type repairs. Sometimes these are made on short notice.

Communication with subordinate custodial staff is predominantly face-to-face in giving assignments, instructions, and assistance. In addition, the incumbent has in installing and replacing signs by digging holes, placing posts, and fastening signs to poles.

• Assists in maintaining roadside rest areas by picking up and removing trash and debris, cleaning restrooms and replacing supplies, and maintaining grounds, parking areas, and sidewalks.
• Assists at construction sites by carrying supplies and equipment, performing rough carpentry and masonry work, such as building forms and pouring concrete, cleaning work areas, and holding and placing materials.
• Assists in installing, maintaining, and repairing traffic signal systems and street lighting.
• Digs holes and trenches for equipment and cables, inserts cables, and refills trenches.
• Attaches cables to equipment.
• Pours concrete and sets poles.
• Cleans and paints poles, lights, and signal heads.
• Cleans and polishes lenses and reflectors.
• Replaces reflectors, broken glass, and burned-out bulbs.

Assists equipment repair mechanics in mounting and dismounting heavy assemblies such as snowplows and salt spreaders and installing or removing heavy items such as engines, transmissions, and differentials.

Assists at Ski Centers by working on the lift towers, operating snow making machines, and grooming trails.

Assists on survey parties by holding a leveling rod and chain.

Occasionally operates self-propelled equipment, such as vehicles, mowers, and light construction equipment, for short periods of time and assists in maintaining this equipment by performing routine maintenance such as changing oil and tires, cleaning and polishing vehicles, and lubricating engines.

Moves heavy supplies, furniture, and equipment.

• Loads and unloads heavy equipment, supplies, and furniture from trucks and rail cars by physically lifting items or operating a hand truck or forklift.
• Moves items to and from storerooms.
• Accompanies truck drivers and motor vehicle operators to assist in picking up and delivering items and, occasionally, driving the delivery vehicles.
• Moves heavy furniture, office equipment, and records.
• Sets up and removes furniture and equipment for conferences, meetings, and special events.

Performs manual work to repair and maintain waterways structures.

• Removes deteriorated concrete, wood, and steel and protective paint by sandblasting, chipping, and other methods.
• Repairs surfaces by smoothing, painting, and assisting in replacing wood, concrete, and steel.
• Loads and unloads materials and debris from scows.
• Patrols canal banks to look for washouts, leaks, obstructions, and damage, reports problems, and assists in making repairs.
• Maintains embankments by cutting brush and trees, mowing grass, picking up debris, and placing riprap.
• Assists in operating and maintaining canal machinery and equipment and maintaining grounds and facilities.
• Cleans structures and walkways of ice and snow.
• Assists in placing, moving, and repairing navigation aids.

Assists in wildlife and land and water management programs by performing manual work.

• Assists in clearing trails and building forest roads, fire breaks, dams, ponds, dikes, and flood structures by clearing brush and trees, digging and filling trenches and holes, making routine repairs, and performing other manual labor.
• Assists in game farm operation by cleaning and maintaining hatching and brooding facilities, feeding and caring for stock, and planting and harvesting field crops.
• Assists at fish hatcheries by cleaning ponds, troughs, and equipment, feeding and weighing fish, removing, stocking and transferring fish, and maintaining buildings and grounds.
• Assists in wildlife surveys by tagging animals and birds, clipping fish fins, stocking experimental fish, and collecting data by trapping and netting fish and wildlife.
• Assists in nursery management by preparing beds, planting seeds, rootstock, seedlings, and saplings, cultivating, watering, and fertilizing beds, and preparing plants for shipment.
• Plants trees, flowers, and shrubbery.
• Fights fires.
• Trims trees and shrubbery according to directions.
• Assists in cleaning up oil and toxic material spills.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

The nature of work performed by Laborers generally restricts relationships to employees working in the same organization. These relationships are characterized by frequent oral communications with the supervisor and other crew members. The tasks of this class are primarily thing-oriented and, therefore, involvement with others is not a factor in classifying these positions.

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

Positions in this class are supervised by higher level maintenance and operations positions, which assign work, demonstrate work methods, provide oral instructions, check work in progress and upon completion, assist in performing work, and evaluate performance. Although Laborers are subject to close supervision, routine repetitive duties may be performed more independently once those duties are learned.

Although Laborers do not supervise, they may show new employees methods for performing specific work activities.

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED

Laborers use simple hand and power tools and may operate power mowers, chain saws, snowblowers, portable electric generators, compressors, salt and sand spreaders, bituminous heaters, sandblasting and gunite equipment, spray painters, and pumps. They may, occasionally, operate self-propelled equipment such as trucks, riding mowers, and other light equipment.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Laborers perform work requiring sustained medium to heavy physical effort and exposure to inclement weather. In addition, some duties may require that Laborers work from a scaffold or ladder or climb structures.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Basic knowledge of safety procedures.
• Basic knowledge of the use of hand tools and simple power tools.
• Basic knowledge of routine equipment maintenance.
• Ability to understand and follow oral instructions.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy labor for extended time periods.
• Ability to use a variety of hand and power tools.
• As assigned, ability to operate motor vehicles and other self-propelled equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

There are no education or experience requirements. Applicants must be physically able to perform heavy physical labor. When required to operate motor vehicles, Laborers must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.

NOTE: These qualifications are subject to change due to selection plan considerations. For current information on qualification requirements for selection purposes contact the Bureau of Staffing Services.

Date: Revised 6/80

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