Laborer - Construction

Salary: $21.94 - $27.07 Hourly
Location : Bureau of Water - Lancaster, PA, PA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 6471023
Department: Dept Public Works
Division: Water T&D
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 6000


Explore a rewarding career with the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Spanning just 7 square miles in south Central Pennsylvania, the City of Lancaster is home to nearly 60,000 diverse residents. The City oversees a range of public services including fire and police, health, housing, parks, streets, as well as water and wastewater for upwards of 120,000 customers in the surrounding region. This work is powered by nearly 600 employees who are committed to the core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect.


Mayor Arroyo's Strategic Priorities

• An Economy That Works - Driving equitable growth, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities that strengthen our community.
• Government That Delivers - Leading with integrity, accountability, and action to meet the needs of every resident and build trust in our city's future.
• A City Built for Everyone - Ensuring safe streets, quality housing, and a community where every person has the tools they need to succeed.

Our Core Values: Quality. Teamwork. Integrity. Respect.

Primary Functions and Job Details


Performs routine manual work, usually of a repetitive nature; an employee in this class is responsible for performing duties primarily requiring physical exertion.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Follows safe practices in the performance of duties.
• Cleans sewers, inlets, and water systems; washes windows, walls, and cleans building.
• Uses manual and/or power-operated tools on routine tasks.
• Performs routine maintenance of equipment and vehicles.
• Loads and unloads gravel, dirt, leaves, sewer pipes, timber, chemicals, asphalt, salt, storm drain pipes, sign materials, tools, and equipment.
• Performs extreme physical labor for extended periods of time under all weather conditions, with the ability to lift objects weighing up to one hundred (100) pounds.
• Manually removes litter from right-of-way and easements.
• Climbs ladders.
• Manipulates both large and small tool parts.
• Removes and replaces various types of pavement.
• Uses and operates manual and power-operated tools and equipment, including but not limited to jackhammers, pavement breakers, shovels, sledgehammers, post drivers, tamp bars, chainsaws, compressors, cement mixers, and weed eaters.
• Performs manual labor involving loading and unloading trucks, digging ditches, cutting brush, and similar tasks.
• Digs holes and trenches.
• Drives and operates Public Works vehicles and equipment of various types.
• Restores streets; finishes surfaces to line and grade.
• Restores streets; finishes surfaces to line and grade.
• Responsible for maintaining street cans that are sometimes overflowing from the weekends and special events downtown.
• Responsible for citizen complaints, emergencies, storm damage, etc. that come in after the second shift has ended.
• Performs inlet cleaning, leaf removal, and snow and ice control.
• Provides assistance to journeypersons.
• Performs additional work duties as assigned.

Bureau of Wastewater-Collections

• Assists with televising operations as camera assistant.
• Removes and replaces storm drains with assistance which can weigh up to 285 pounds.
• Removes and replaces manhole covers which can weigh up to 165 pounds.
• Performs heavy manual labor to install, maintain, clean and repair water and sewer lines/mains, fire hydrants, manholes and valves.
• Performs construction of basic repairs on water and sewer lines of various sizes, shoring of ditches, and confined space entry.
• Carries equipment and materials for maintenance and repair of water/wastewater utilities such as opening manholes, vaults; shovels and carries heavy loads.

Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit

• Performs water system flushing (night shift)
• Installs water, sewer, and storm sewer pipe and manholes/inlets efficiently and safely
• May be assigned to a 4x10 schedule (40 regular hours) for construction work depending on project needs.
• Opens and closes water valves, maintains fire hydrants, and replaces worn or defective parts
• May sand, scrape, and paint fire hydrants
• Cuts, fits, lays, repairs, taps, and makes water main cuts.
• Works in construction zones including in trenches.
• Responds to emergency situations as assigned (24/7).

Streets/Parks Departments - Night

• Tickets the No Parking Signs in the uptown Business District (2 a.m. to 6 a.m.)
• Performs survey to report all lights that are out including street lights and lights out at City owned facilities and parks.

Streets/Parks Departments - Day

• Erects and/or replaces street signs; drills holes in concrete and installs sign posts; sets up and removes concrete traffic barriers.

• Prepares grade for paving machine; spreads stone chips on street; places concrete and shovels asphalt mix in the repair and construction of City streets.

• Removes and replaces storm drains, with assistance, which can weigh up to 285 pounds.
• Removes and replaces manhole covers, which can weigh up to 165 pounds.
• Performs heavy manual labor to install, maintain, clean, and repair water and sewer lines/mains, fire hydrants, manholes and valves.
• Performs construction of basic repairs on water and sewer lines of various sizes, including shoring of ditches, and confined space entry.
• Carries equipment and materials for maintenance and repair of water/wastewater utilities, including opening manholes and vaults; shovels and carries heavy loads.

Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)

• Cuts grass with power equipment and hand tools.
• Assists with maintenance and repair of Green Infrastructure BMPs, including but not limited to curbside rain gardens and stormwater projects.
• Performs regular seasonal landscape maintenance on all landscaped beds on City-owned properties and within the public right-of-way, including but not limited to mulching and edging; litter/debris removal; and manual removal of weeds and non-native/invasive vegetation.
• Applies pre-emergent weed preventer and fertilizer as needed for plant care and establishment.
• Operates vehicles and water distribution systems to irrigate landscaped areas and decorative planters throughout the City, including the downtown area.
• Replants perennials and shrubs, if necessary, in bare areas and replace diseased/dying plants in landscaped areas. Installs and exchanges annual plantings for aesthetics in spring, summer, and autumn.
• Prunes, fertilizes, and maintains rose bushes.
• Performs leaf collection and removal from landscaped areas in autumn in conjunction with seasonal perennial dividing and cutbacks.

Recycling Bureau

• Utilizes electronic mail to correspond with our broker about load readiness.
• Maintains a warehouse, including cleaning and organization of the additional facility.
• Records the weight of materials and plans outgoing loads to market in compliance with U.S. DOT regulations.
• Accurately loads and records shipments destined for foreign markets.
• Works with freight haulers to coordinate loading times and offloading times.
• Schedules external customers to deliver recyclable materials to the recycling drop-off facility to not interfere with existing operations.
• Answers the phone at the recycling drop-off and responds to customer inquiries.
• Engages external customers regarding proper recycling practices.
• Provides detailed load information to the Bureau Chief.
• Performs daily inspections of forklifts and baling equipment.
• Provides traffic control to a facility handling roughly 6,000 cars monthly.

Bureaus of Water and Wastewater Treatment

• Performs general custodial tasks such as mopping, collecting and disposing of trash, cleaning restrooms, and maintaining floors.
• Operates light automotive vehicles.
• Removes and clears snow as assigned.
• Collects, transports, and delivers packages/documents as assigned.
• Assists with routine and preventative building maintenance and repairs to assets including but not limited to door locks and latches, garage doors and gates, roofing, gutters and downspouts, flooring and finishes, wall-mounted décor, workstations and furnishings, and signage.
• Assists with routine and preventative plumbing maintenance and repairs, including but not limited to cleaning floor and trench drains, clearing clogged drains with plunger/mechanical snake, repairing faucets, and replacing flush valves.
• Monitors inventory of cleaning and maintenance supplies and reports to supervisor/manager when supplies need ordered. Procures tools, parts, and supplies for maintenance work as requested.
• Assists with cleaning and removal of debris at the strainers, wet wells, sludge tanks, and other areas as needed.
• Assists maintenance personnel with frazzle ice.
• Perform custodial tasks at all pumping stations and tanks in the distribution system and assists with preventative maintenance.

Typical Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from High School or completion of a GED is required.
  • Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit
  • Two (2) years of construction experience is required; utility construction experience is preferred.
  • Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)
  • A minimum of two (2) years of experience in groundskeeping, landscape development, native plant care, or similar maintenance work is preferred.
  • Possession of a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Categories 00 - Core and 23-Park/School Pest Control), or the ability to successfully obtain one within twelve (12) months of hire, is preferred.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of safe practices related to Public Works.
• Ability to operate a vehicle on private and public streets is required.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and to maintain positive interactions is required.
• Positive interpersonal skills are required.
• Proven ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment is required.
• Proven ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English is required.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others is required.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement is required.

Bureau of Wastewater-Collections

• Ability to climb up/down ladder wells and climb unprotected heights is required.
• Ability to safely enter/exit and work within manholes and/or confined spaces is required.

Bureau of Water T&D and Construction Unit

• Knowledge of PA One Call (811) laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of Excavation and Trench Safety, including safe use of shoring systems.
• Experience in semi-skilled use of common hand tools.

Bureau of Parks & Public Property (Parks/Greenscapes)

• Knowledge of plants native to the region and the ability to identify species, both native and invasive/non-native, for the purposes of cultivation or eradication, whichever may be appropriate.
• Knowledge of grounds and turf management best practices, supplies, and equipment.
• Proven ability to take accurate measurements and perform basic mathematical and geometric calculations (e.g. length/height, area, volume, etc.)

Bureau of Water and Wastewater Treatment

• Ability to work independently to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Knowledge of building cleaning practices, supplies, and equipment is required.

Environmental Conditions

• Indoors, environmentally controlled.
• Outdoor, exposed to inclement weather and extreme temperature.
• Exposure to noise, pollution, dust, vehicle exhaust, and caustic chemicals such as herbicides and fertilizers.
• Exposure to waste products.
• Exposure to a variety of plant life including noxious species, pollen, or other plant-based fine particulates.
• Exposure to common insects and wildlife, including but not limited to bees, mantids, wasps/hornets, rodents, birds, and snakes.
• Works around motorized or moving vehicles, equipment, and machinery, including active traffic zone.

Safety Equipment Used or Needed

• Personal Protective Equipment such as hardhats, gloves, safety glasses, ear protection, rain gear, steel toed safety shoes, rain boots and respirators.

Comments

• Requires standing, bending, walking, sitting, and climbing in the performance of duties up to eight (8) or more hours per day.
• Requires working long hours and must be available to handle emergency situations after hours, weekends, and on holidays.
• Must be able to perform frequent overtime work, which may involve late-night or early morning hours.
• Must have sufficient physical strength and ability to independently and repeatedly lift, move, and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Requires the use of hand tools.
• Requires the use of air tools, hydraulic tools, and/or electric tools such as jackhammers, pavement saws, and tampers.
• Requires performance of duties occasionally under unfavorable weather conditions.
• Knowledge, skills and/or abilities assessment tests may be conducted as part of the position screening process.

Applicants must possess valid employment authorization to work in the United States. Applicants must have the ability to work on-site at City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations.

Employment Policy
It is the policy of the City of Lancaster to provide fair and equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants are recruited, selected and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability and without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, handicap, disability, veteran status or national origin.

Accommodations Statement for Job Applications
The City of Lancaster is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io to request a needed accommodation.
The City of Lancaster, PA provides a comprehensive benefits package for all benefits-eligible positions. Available benefits include Medical (PPO and HDHP/HSA options), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance, Pension plans, and 457 Deferred Compensation. Employees also receive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Leave, as well as 13 paid holidays for non-essential positions. Essential positions receive bonus days in lieu of holidays.