Laborer

Salary: $36,322.51 - $46,760.77 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2026-01551
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions


Under direct supervision, this position works as part of a crew performing skilled manual tasks related to repairing, maintaining and cleaning storm drains, sewers, streets & highways, landscape, and the interior and exterior of facilities. Reports to an Equipment Operator Supervisor.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides assistance with trash and debris removal, street repairs, sewer work, and special events using a variety of hand and power tools and other equipment; performs manual work as a part of a crew, using a variety of tools and equipment to include ladders, lawnmowers, caulking guns, brushes, hand controls, sprayers and pressure washers; assists crews by obtaining, carrying or loading supplies and materials; prepares work site by cleaning, and prepping with drop cloths and other protective materials; erects scaffolds, sands surfaces, caulks cracks, and scraps old paint.


Builds, repairs and cleans storm drains by opening catch basins, removing debris and using machinery to break through blockages; digs trenches, mixes cement, lays bricks, and removes ice, snow and storm debris; maintains and repairs asphalt by repairing pot holes and caves ins and cuts grass; performs and or provides assistance on water distribution systems.


Performs a variety of labor duties to include moving furniture, cleaning and organizing storage areas and painting trim and walls; provides assistance and support in the removal, loading and collection of solid waste; ensures supplies and equipment are properly stored; performs routine checks and preventive maintenance on equipment; identifies and reports equipment malfunctions and cleans meters and equipment as needed.

Ensures the safety of city equipment, private property, and others by following proper safety procedures, watching for pedestrians, private property, overhead utility lines and other utilities or obstructions.


Performs other related work as required. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Knowledge of Job : Has some knowledge of safe lifting techniques and of methods for cleaning drainage structures, landscaping, and general maintenance labor. Has some knowledge of the occupational hazards and proper safety precautions for the various types of assigned work. Is skilled in the use of a variety of hand tools. Is able to clean ditches and drainage structures. Is able to understand and interpret oral and written instructions. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all departments, co-workers and the general public.


Quantity of Work : Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."


Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines and in accordance with directives, policies, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.


Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.


Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.


Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.


Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with policy or procedures. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments to project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and individuals in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Equipment Operator Supervisors, professionals and the public.


Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions of time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.


Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
High school diploma or the equivalent and 1 -2 years of experience performing manual labor using a variety of tools and equipment.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history and sex offender registry check.

Must have the ability to work various rotating shifts to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.


This job is considered essential personnel and will require attendance and work during and following natural disasters and/or emergency situations.

Physical Demands

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements : Must be able to perform heavy manual labor. Must be able to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are for Heavy Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.


Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and directions from superiors.


Language Ability: Requires the ability to read maps and simple forms. Requires the ability to prepare leave slips and time cards using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.


Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic for to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.


Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using standard English.


Numerical Aptitude: Must be able to add and subtract.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using hand tools used to clear pipes, drains and catch basins.


Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as hand tools. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.


Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress.


Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01


Please select the highest level of education completed.

• Less than High School
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associates/Vocational/Technical
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

02


Are you physically able to operate a variety of equipment and tools to include saws, hammers, drills, sanders, and hand tools?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have experience with performing skilled manual tasks related to repairing, maintaining and cleaning storm drains, sewers, streets & highways, landscape, and the interior and exterior of facilities?

• Yes
• No

Required Question