Public Works Worker

Salary : $52,417.02 - $78,547.40 Annually
Location : Southfield, MI
Job Type: Career Full-Time
Job Number: 202400339
Department: Water and Sewer
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Equal Opportunity Language: This announcement is only a summary of the position, its duties, job requirements and compensation. Further information is available from the Human Resources Department. The City of Southfield does not discriminate in its employment or any other programs or activities on the basis, of sex, race, color, age, height, weight, marital status, national origin, religion, arrest record, physical or mental disability, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected category. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability if requested. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/V/H, DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
ADA: Individuals with special needs who may require assistance with the application process should contact the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io (voice) or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io if auxiliary aids or services are needed. Reasonable advance notice is required.


Description
The Department of Public Works seeks a dedicated Public Works Worker to join our Public Works team. This full-time union role involves the safe and efficient operation of various tools and equipment to perform construction and maintenance tasks on public infrastructure. The position requires effective communication, the ability to work independently or with supervision, and a commitment to public service excellence.

Location

• On-site at designated public works facilities

Experience

• No specific experience required; relevant skills and qualifications are essential

Skills

• Proficiency with tools and light equipment used in public works
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to interpret written and verbal instructions
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team

Key Responsibilities

• Perform construction, maintenance, and repair tasks related to public infrastructure, including roads, water mains, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers.
• Operate tools and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Follow safety protocols and work under supervision or independently as needed.

Representative Job Duties

• Works on a maintenance crew that performs installation, maintenance, repair, and removal of the following: water main, water meters, water service lines, fire hydrants, gate valves, sanitary sewer main, sanitary sewer lines, gate wells, sewer manholes, storm sewer lines, and catch basins.
• Restores damaged landscape areas due to excavations and other damage.
• Performs maintenance and repair to all the city's sanitary and storm sewer lift stations.
• Conducts various aspects of street maintenance and construction including, but not limited to, salting, snow plowing & removal; asphalt paving and pothole patching; concrete curb, sidewalk, structure, and pavement repair and paving; road right of way mowing and maintenance; removal of dead animals from streets and right of ways, utility locating; sign installation; proper use of barricades and road closure equipment, etc.
• Responsible for various maintenance tasks in carpentry and general maintenance and construction work.
• Learns equipment operation and terminology of materials used in various aspects of the job.
• Performs a combination of the following duties: erecting & repairing guard rails, highway markers and snow fences, using hand tools, nails, and power tools.
• Participates in training when required.
• Maintains daily activity and inventory records in the City's computerized asset management system OpenGov EAM.
• Adheres to all safety standards for the operation and maintenance of all City owned equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements - As Determined By the City Of Southfield

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver's license
• Class A CDL with tanker and airbrakes endorsements within 12 months of employment. Newly hired employees must pass a 6-month probationary period. If the employee does not acquire his or her CDL Class A with Tanker and Airbrakes Endorsements within the 6-months probationary period, their probationary period will be extended by an additional 6 months. If the individual has not acquired his or her CDL Class A with Tanker and Airbrake Endorsements after the first 12 months of employment, the individual may be terminated.

Supplemental Information
The Public Works Worker will be classified based on the following criteria:

Public Works Worker I

• Pay grade 312 (Range: $52,417.02 - $78,547.40)
• 0 years of relevant experience required at hire.

Public Works Worker II

• Pay grade 313 (Range: $55,038.47 - $82,474.66)
• At least 4 years of relevant experience and S-4 license at hire. Must demonstrate proficiency with select Public Works tasks and equipment.

Public Works Worker III

• Pay grade 314 (Range: $57,789.96 - $86,598.61)
• At least 7 years of relevant experience and S-3 license at hire. Must demonstrate proficiency with vast majority of Public Works tasks and equipment.

We offer a complete benefits package to career employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave and more!

City of Southfield Employee Benefits Summary
OVERVIEW
Mandatory Benefits: Medical, Dental and Vision Elections, or Opt Out


Supplemental Benefits: Term Life, Aflac, Met Law, Retirement Savings Account, Tuition Reimbursement, EAP, FMLA, Flexible Spending Account, Residency Bonus


Blended Pension Plan Employees

Defined Benefit SERS

1.5% Multiplier for all years of service


3 Years Final Average Compensation Upon Retirement

10 Years Vesting


5% Employee Contribution

Defined Contribution 401a MissionSquare

3% 401 a City Contribution


3% 401 a Employee Contribution (minimum)


5 Year Vesting Schedule
Retirement Health Savings

Effective July 1, 2020 Tier III and IV employees shall contribute 2% of pensionable wages and the City will contribute $100 per month.

5 years of years of service: 50% vested


6 years of service: 75% vested


7 years of service: 100% vested


Participation in the RHS begins on the first day of employment and end on the day of separation.


Life Insurance MetLife

The city provides term life insurance benefits with accidental death and dismemberment for qualified employees as soon as possible, through the proper insurance carrier in accordance with the following schedule:

AFSCME 329 : 0-30 months employment $30,000 life and ADD, after 30 months of employment $50,000 term life, accidental death and dismemberment coverage.


ACS TPOAM PST AFSCME 3636: $50,000 Term life and $50,000 ADD Insurance


Medical Elections

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (2025)

Community Blue PPO 10


Community Blue PPO 12


Community Blue PPO 15


HAP HMO
Dental - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Vision - Blue Cross Blue Shield
Health insurance 1st day of the next month of hire date.


Employee has 30 Days to select benefits, otherwise will wait until open enrollment.
COBRA coverage through TASC - in the event of separation- you are entitled to continuation medical coverage up to 18 months.

Retirement Savings Account

Supplemental

MissionSquare 457b

or T. Rowe Price 457b

Retirement savings account with no employer contribution. Funds, added to a 457 can be pre-tax or post-tax.


Pre Tax funds lower taxable income in bi-weekly paycheck; however, taxes may have to be paid upon the distribution of funds in retirement.


Post-tax deferrals are taken from already taxed funds in your paycheck, which means that little to no taxes will be taken upon distribution in retirement. Loans are available.

Supplemental

Tuition Reimbursement

75% reimbursement for tuition and fees (excluding late fees) for city-related classes or degree programs with a grade of "B" or better, up to $2,500 annually, plus 75% for required books.
Residency Bonus

Annual residency bonus of 1.5% of annual salary by Jan 1st with proof of residency. Elected officials and contractual employees ineligible.


Fire and Police Excluded

Supplemental

MetLife

Voluntary Term Life and ADD

Additional life Insurance can be purchased for employees and dependents at an additional cost for the employee.


AFLAC Short term disability, cancer, accident and hospitalization insurance. Dennis Patton View email address on click.appcast.io.

Supplemental

EAP Ulliance

Employee Assistance Program through Ulliance- six free counseling sessions, legal, finance and life coaching programs. Supervisors are not notified if employee uses services.
FMLA

Family Medical Leave Act worked up to 1250 hours or one year. Can take off time to care for a medical emergency for themselves or immediate family members for up to 12 weeks unpaid. Absences approved by BASIC or FMLA vendor.
Supplemental

FSA & Dependent Care

Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent care through TASC are pre-tax funds that are used to cover certain out-of-pocket medical expenses and childcare costs. A total dollar amount is elected, and a debit card is sent to you to pay for incurred expenses.


Pre-tax funds are deducted bi-weekly to cover the cost of the total amount you have elected. There is an annual election limit of $3,300 for 2025.


Renew Annually, it's not automatic.

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