CONSTRUCTION WORKER (PUBLIC WORKS)

Salary : $42,203.20 - $67,516.80 Annually
Location : Municipal Operations Center (1300 N Broad St), Gastonia, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01666
Department: Public Services
Division: Powell Bill/Powell Bill
Opening Date: 07/09/2025
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt


General Definition of Work
The City of Gastonia is seeking experienced and motivated individuals to join our team as Construction Workers. The ideal candidates will be responsible for assisting in various construction projects throughout the city, ensuring that all work is completed efficiently, safely, and to high standards. From road maintenance to storm drain construction, Construction Workers play a crucial role in enhancing the infrastructure and aesthetics of our community.


Work is performed under the moderate supervision of a Crew Chief and includes intermediate, semi-skilled labor in a variety of construction, repair, and maintenance assignments for the City of Gastonia Public Works Department.


Minimally qualified starting pay: $18.83 hr.

Essential Functions/Duties


The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. Percentages for each function are subject to fluctuations.


Assist in all aspects of the construction and maintenance of City infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, bridges, storm drainage systems, and buildings, such as digging trenches, pouring concrete, laying brick, installing pipes, etc.
45%
Operate a variety of tools and heavy equipment, such as hand tools, power tools, dump trucks, backhoes, loaders, grading tractors, skid steers, rollers, tamps, air compressors, and many more
30%
Assist with the setup and cleanup of construction sites, ensuring sites are safe and organized; Adhere to all safety protocols and regulations to minimize accidents and injuries
10%
Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members to coordinate work activities; Work collaboratively with other departments and contractors as needed
10%
Perform prevention and debris removal activities during snow/ice and other heavy storms
5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of various construction methods and techniques used in maintenance and infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge of different types of construction materials, their properties, and how to work with them effectively.
• Familiarity with OSHA regulations and other safety protocols to ensure a safe working environment.
• Ability to read and interpret construction blueprints, drawings, and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of how to safely operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools used in construction work.
• Awareness of environmental regulations and best practices related to construction activities.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting heavy materials, digging trenches, and working in various weather conditions.
• Resourcefulness and ability to troubleshoot issues that arise during construction projects, finding practical solutions to overcome challenges.
• Efficient use of time and resources to complete tasks within deadlines and project schedules.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements, work environments, and circumstances.
• Capability to learn and apply new construction techniques, tools, and technologies as needed.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or equivalent with novice to intermediate experience in construction and/or maintenance
• Or any combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Driver's License
• Possession of a NC Class A Commercial Driver's License with Restriction 8 and Tanker endorsement preferred
• NIMS IS-700 certificate within 12 months of hire
• Basic Work Zone Safety and Flagger certifications within 12 months of hire

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIORNMENT
The physical activity of this position includes:

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet, legs, and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceed those required for ordinary locomotion
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceed what is needed for ordinary locomotion and the maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles
• Kneeling: Bending legs at the knee to come to rest on the knee or knees
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the leg and spine.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using the upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching the skin, particularly the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers

The physical requirements of this position include:

• Very Heavy Work: Exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, over 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or over 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects

The visual acuity requirements, including color, depth perception, and field of vision, include:
The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform one or more of the following:

• Operate machines such as lathes, drill presses, power saws, and mills where the job is at or within arm's reach
• Performs mechanical or skilled trades tasks of a non-repetitive nature, such as carpenters, technicians, service people, plumbers, painters, mechanics, etc.

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position include:

• The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes
• The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions. There is no effective protection from weather.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: activities occur inside and outside.
• The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour
• The worker is subject to extreme heat: temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
• The worker is subject to noise. There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard above the ambient noise level.
• The worker is subject to vibration: exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.
• The worker is subject to hazards: including various physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat, or exposure to chemicals.
• The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
• The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.
• The worker is required to wear a respirator
• The worker frequently is in close quarters, crawl spaces, shafts, manholes, small-enclosed rooms, small sewage and water line pipes, and other areas that could cause claustrophobia
• The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways

Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Dental
Vision
Life
Supplemental Insurance Plans
Pension (Local Government Employees' Retirement System)
401(k)
457
Short-term/Long-term Disability
Dependent Care Plan
Employee Assistance Program
On-Site Health Clinic
Employee Educational Assistance Program
Sick Leave (12 days per year)
Initial Employment Vacation: Starting at 12 days per year
Holidays (11 days per year)
Personal Day (1 day per year)

A comprehensive list of benefits can be found online at