Highway Laborer (Seasonal)

Highway Laborer

Current wage rates are up to $18.32 per hour. Come join the St. Louis County Public Works team and perform routine highway maintenance work for the summer of 2026. These seasonal positions are full-time and located in Cook, Cotton, Culver, Ely, Floodwood, Hibbing, Jean Duluth, Kugler, Meadowlands, Pike Lake, and Virginia. Applicants will be able to pick their location preference when completing the application.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Distinguishing Features of Work

Employees in this class perform manual labor duties in the construction, maintenance and repair of roads, bridges, right of ways and drainage structures. The work is performed under the general supervision of assigned supervisory staff.

Work Environment

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Balance; rotate neck; stand; talk/speak; walk; turn wrist left and right; hearing; vision (near, midrange and far); extended day; outside; drive. FREQUENT: Lift up to 50 pounds; grasp/handle; rotate trunk; stoop/bend; taste/smell; work alone. OCCASIONAL: Lift up to 75 pounds; lift up to 100 pounds (2 persons); carry up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; crawl; kneel; reach; sit; customer/public contact. RARE: Lift up to 150 pounds (2 persons); push/pull up to 50 pounds; climb ladders; crouch/squat; reach above shoulder. Lighting: Natural, may work outdoors in darkness. Flooring: Concrete, blacktop, gravel, uneven terrain (hills, ditches, etc.). Walking surface can be affected by weather. Temperature: Exposure to all weather conditions. May work entire shift outdoors in all conditions. Temperature can be controlled in vehicle cabs. Noise Level: Above average noise levels when operating equipment or in vehicles. Exposure to vibration. Ventilation: Exposure to exhaust, tar fumes, paint fumes, etc.

Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Must be seventeen (17) years of age AND a high school graduate; OR eighteen (18) years of age by the first schedule day of work.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

RATING SYSTEM: Experience & Training will be 100% of the scoring process: Points will be awarded for job-related experience and education exceeding the minimum qualifications. Please be thorough in listing your work experience in the Work Experience section of the application as this will be used to determine part of your score. Only experience occurring during the ten most recent years may be used in determining this assessment. Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: ( * ) Indicates tasks which have been identified as essential job functions.

• *1. Performs labor tasks in the construction, repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, right of ways, buildings and drainage structures.
• *2. Performs labor tasks in the maintenance of guard rails, signs, etc.
• *3. Operates equipment in vegetation control.
• *4. Demonstrates punctual and reliable attendance in accordance with designated work schedule.
• *5. Complies with applicable safety rules, laws and practices; uses proper safety equipment and procedures in all operations.
• 6. Performs related work as assigned.

VETERANS PREFERENCE: If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS: Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position. DRUG TESTING: Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test. BACKGROUND CHECK: Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION: All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment. NON-DISCRIMINATION: St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.